Welcome back, dears! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back for another dazzling edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History!
Today we're travelling back in time, to May 21st, 1918. We're taking a trip to, well, everywhere because tutus were all the rage then! From Paris to London, to Moscow and beyond, ballet was booming. Imagine! You could find a tutu fluttering in every corner, be it on a grand stage or a charming street performance.
This was, my darlings, the Golden Age of ballet, a truly magical period! It was during this era that the tutu as we know it, evolved and soared into the spotlight!
Oh, where do we start? Shall we dive into the swirling world of fashion? Let's start there!
The Parisian Fashion Scene: Now, darling, letās step into the Parisian boutiques. Imagine all those elegant shops filled with frocks, furs, and, of course, our dear tutu! Imagine a vision of pink chiffon, tulle and silk, a sea of frills and laceā¦ it would make even a modern day fashionista weep with joy.
Parisian fashion was as sophisticated as a Balanchine choreography - graceful, daring, and utterly captivating! Think swirling skirts, beaded gowns, and a sprinkle of whimsy that wouldnāt look out of place in a whimsical ballet performance. You could find delicate, lacy tutus, perfect for a casual tea party, or a full-on tulle-explosion perfect for the hottest night club!
Of course, you could get your tutus made by the best fashion houses - from the whimsical designs of Paul Poiret to the elegant work of Gabrielle Chanel! I dare say you would have been lucky to catch Coco Chanel herself flitting through the boudoirs of Parisian society in one of her designs.
Oh! London, Sweet London: Donāt you dare think I forgot about my homeland! My fellow Brits, I know you've got a special place in your hearts for ballet! Youāve always been fans of a graceful step, havenāt you?
And it shows, my lovelies! The Royal Ballet, established in 1931, was a vision in 1918 ā its dancers swaying on point shoes in magnificent tutus. Their ballets were known for their elegant grandeur and grace - and trust me, every single show was bursting with tutus!
Oh, darling, it wasn't just about performance, though. Londonās streets were filled with shops dedicated to tutus, and it would have been unheard of for a young lady to be seen without her own little ballet creation. Just imagine all those shops bursting with every colour of tulle imaginable. The smell of silk and satin, the tickle of those frilly tutus against your fingers. Just heaven!
(It might have been cold in 1918 London - we didn't have the heating you have today, darlings! I suggest keeping warm by wearing multiple layers underneath! )
Beyond London and Paris:
Across the globe, the ballet craze was going strong! From the stunning stages of Russia, to the beautiful studios of the United States - ballet had gone global. You see, my dear readers, this is why itās called the āGolden Ageā!
(It must be quite cold in Moscow! Luckily you could find fur lined, cosy tutu styles back then. Or perhaps you could bundle up and wear your tutu over trousers, eh?)
But wait - it wasnāt just about the professionals. You could even get your fix by heading to the town hall or the local theater - you could see some of the most amazing ballet performances. And, if youāre really lucky, there might even be a bal masque, a masquerade ball where everyone dressed up in costumesā¦ maybe you could even wear a pink tutu under a black mask! What fun!
*Letās have a quick check in on the blog - this is Post #4508 of my Tutu Tuesday blog. Isnāt it fun to see all the amazing ballet history weāve got? Oh! How lovely - itās also been shared nearly a thousand times on the www.pink-tutu.com website! Thank you all for sharing and for all the lovely comments, dears! I truly appreciate all the love! *
(What should we do for our next post, darling? Hmmmā¦ Letās try a Parisian inspired fashion shoot in pink tulle with our new Parisian blog friend? Perhaps a ballet tutorialā¦ maybe weāll see if anyone is offering tutus at the market near my apartment. I could do a market tour - would that be a good one? Perhaps weāll cover the next ballet show Iāll be dancing in! )
*Our world was dancing - on stage, on the streets, and even in our hearts. Tutus were the ultimate fashion statement - they expressed a joy, a grace, and a love of the performing arts. *
Thatās all from me, darlings. Remember to live life on pointe!
And don't forget, we're here every Tuesday for a new edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History, on www.pink-tutu.com - I just canāt wait to take you on our next time travelling adventure!
Lots of love,
Emma
P.S. I love seeing your pink tutu creations, my lovely readers! Feel free to share pictures of your tutus in the comments section. Let's spread the joy of tulle all across the world!
(Ooh! I think we could get more followers if we start a tutu challenge on social media! What should we do? Should we make a āwear your pink tutu at home!ā or āwhat are you wearing to ballet class?!ā challenge? Let me know in the comments below! )
(I'm so excited to go to London's Covent Garden this week! Perhaps Iāll pop into a boutique to check out the fashion scene there! Do any of you darling readers know the best place to buy a good quality pink tutu? Do let me know! I would love to know where to shop! )
