Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where it's always Tutu Tuesday! It's your favourite ballet-obsessed, pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling blogger Emma here, and I'm so excited to be whisked back in time to share another enchanting piece of tutu history with you all. This week, my time machine deposited me in a bustling London on the 11th of December, 1917. The world is at war, of course, but London's vibrant cultural life still pulses strong. Theatres and dance studios are buzzing, and you can just feel the air hum with creativity!
I must say, the wartime spirit isn't dampening the fabulous fashion scene one bit! Wartime rationing has led to some rather ingenious and beautiful creations - it seems that women's resourceful nature knows no bounds! It’s been inspiring to see ladies embracing clever ways to reuse and repurpose their fabrics for stunning outfits! We may be in the midst of wartime hardship, but oh my, the elegance never falters!
Now, let's dive into our main event – the tutu history! Today we're exploring a little known gem – the Tutu as Symbol of Change. This time, I’m delving deep into the heart of ballet. We all know the iconic romantic tutu with its cloud-like layers. But what happened before that?
It all starts in the 1800s. Ballet began to develop new and intricate dance steps which required more freedom of movement than the heavy, voluminous costumes worn in earlier times. In 1835, Marie Taglioni famously performed "La Sylphide," wearing a flowing white dress with the new 'tutu', that short, knee-length skirt that became synonymous with the Romantic ballet era. It’s revolutionary, dear readers, a huge change in ballet costume that ushered in a new era for the art form, giving ballerinas new freedom and beauty of movement. The shorter skirt, which later evolved into the now familiar 'romantic tutu,' truly gave flight to the ballerinas' every gesture, letting their movements take centre stage, graceful as swans.
It's easy to forget that before the iconic, romantic tutu, ballerinas were essentially swathed in thick layers of silk and velvet. That would have been a hot stage, not to mention quite restricting for the artistry of the dancer.
But don’t think that's the end of the tutu's journey! We know how important experimentation and evolution is for all artistic forms, including dance. By the 1890s, we saw more of what we call 'Classical' tutus – still a shortened skirt, but the fabric layers started getting progressively more bouffant, creating the iconic shape we all love. Think a frothy swirl of silk, cascading down to just below the knee.
And that, dear readers, is how we come to the era we are in, in our wonderful, tutu-loving time machine! Let's just say, by the 1910s, the tutus are getting seriously dreamy! It's all about creating that perfect fluffy silhouette, and my goodness, is it an amazing silhouette! The tutus become larger and even more dramatic in the classical style, making a truly show-stopping spectacle that still makes me sigh with awe. They look like puffy, enchanting clouds – oh the joy!
On this date, December 11, 1917, the world was enthralled by a truly glorious performance at London’s Coliseum Theatre. It’s ‘La Esmeralda’, with famous ballerina Tamara Karsavina as the protagonist, a captivating role that highlights all the dramatic movements the tutu makes possible. The Coliseum is also hosting the famous Dolin and Chauviré ballet performers! These were two of the hottest stars on the London stage at that time. Can you imagine the buzz!
Right now, in the year 1917, London is abuzz with theatrical activity, including ballets with tutues, in the theatres on the Haymarket, Kingsway, and West End.
Speaking of fashion and London theatre, just last night I found the most gorgeous, bright pink feather boa for my next dance routine at a boutique in the fashionable Soho district. I have been collecting them and my London trip won't be complete without finding another boa! It’s a bit wild but perfect to wear in my next time traveling ballet routine – oh how I love these vintage beauties! I also got to browse in some amazing fabric and millinery stores.
If you’re ever in London, darlings, you simply must wander through these streets. And, while you're here, grab a scone with jam and clotted cream at a charming café! There’s nothing quite like a delicious bite with a bit of good gossip – or as I prefer to call it, historical knowledge sharing! Oh, it’s so satisfying to blend in and sip my tea in a fabulous period outfit while discussing my time travels with the locals! It's such a delight to find out how different the world used to be! It makes me even more excited to explore!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and check back next Tuesday for more Tutu Tuesday goodness, right here! We are going on an incredible adventure next week, I promise you won't want to miss it!
Till next time, my dears, stay fashionable, stay adventurous, and always wear your tutus with pride!
