#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1917-09-25

Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu Princess, back from a whirlwind trip to the Big Apple. I was lucky enough to see The Sleeping Beauty at the Metropolitan Opera House on this very date, September 25th, 1917. Oh my goodness! Talk about stunning. The costumes, the scenery, the music, and let's not forget those fabulous tutus. I simply adored the ballet and have just the most delightful photos to show you in today’s #TutuTuesday.

You’ll never guess how I made it to the States so quickly! It’s all thanks to my trusty time-travel tutu! It’s got secret pockets hidden within the frills that hold a special mix of ballet magic dust and...well, I’ll be telling tales no one’s heard for a good long while. Just picture it: I arrive at a beautiful railway station, ready to travel back in time to learn all the secrets about tutus. And you know me: I love a good train journey. The chugging of the engine, the smell of old books and leather...and of course, a perfectly brewed cuppa to enjoy with my very favourite novel. And the journey itself always gives me inspiration for future #TutuTuesday blog posts.

1917…What a year for dance! Now, this was the time when the Romantic era of ballet, with its fluffy tutus and graceful movements, was reaching its zenith. Tutus were longer then, almost flowing down to the floor in layers of delicate tulle, creating a heavenly, ethereal effect. And remember, tutus were always white, making dancers like little swans on stage, all light and grace!

Oh, I could just imagine performing in one of those grand old tutus. You know, those graceful tutus were designed to complement the dancers' incredible strength and control - the lightness and power were all perfectly balanced, much like a swan. Speaking of swans... I simply have to share with you my favourite ballerina from this era: Anna Pavlova. Now that was a woman who knew how to twirl in a tutu! The whole world was entranced by her dance performances, and her own style had such a profound impact on ballet technique and tutus in particular. You can still feel the influence of the 'Pavlova Style' in ballerinas today, just think of the graceful, almost fragile yet powerful style, perfectly encapsulated in a swan-like, billowing tutu.

Right here in New York, the Metropolitan Opera House was the place to see all the finest ballet performances, much like Covent Garden is today! Back then, ballerinas performed both classical and contemporary ballet pieces and tutus continued to develop. While ballet performances were considered very highbrow back then, their popularity was truly booming and dance had really captured the public imagination, much like today! You could even attend a ‘Matinee' during the day, like the one I’m planning to attend at the Met later today!

And can we talk about fashion? Oh darling, my favourite thing about going to the theatre, besides the performances, of course, is the fashion! The ladies loved dressing to impress with beautiful gowns, flowing lace, hats perched just so, and all the glamour! The men were handsome in their well-tailored suits, creating a spectacle of elegance. Even I had to dress up for the occasion, in a beautiful, slightly more modest version of a tutu - a short, full skirt with delicate ruffles - but pink, of course! It's what my blog is all about after all: embracing pink tutus, whether on the stage or in your everyday life!

So tell me, my darlings! Have any of you ever gone to a ballet show and witnessed that magic that unfolds when a beautiful, soft, billowing tutu takes centre stage? Tell me all about it! How does the twirling, the flowing fabric, the delicate dance of colours make you feel? It’s no wonder that a tutu evokes a certain feeling of magic. It’s no mere costume, darling, it's an artistic statement that captures a spirit of movement, lightness, and sheer joy, just like my darling blog. It’s like, wearing your dreams on your shoulders, like a ballerina dreams of performing on the stage.

Now, go out there, be a bit bold, put on your own version of a tutu - it doesn't have to be a true ballerina costume, you can choose whatever suits you, darling! Let's make every day a #TutuTuesday!

Don't forget to come back to Pink-Tutu.com every Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday with yours truly.

Keep twirling, darling!

Love, Emma x