Bonjour, mes amies! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling fashionista, back for another captivating #TutuTuesday journey through the captivating world of the ballet tutu! Today, we're stepping back into 1918, a time when the world was in a delicate dance of its own, and tutus were gracefully swirling in theatres and studios across the globe.
It’s always so fascinating for me to step back into these periods and watch the fashion, the performances, the joy! My, how our beloved tutu has evolved! Imagine a world where the only place you could see a tutu was in a performance! Thankfully, we live in an age where tutus are more common. I can see people in their everyday lives sporting these darling items - a beautiful trend, in my humble opinion. But today’s #TutuTuesday is all about taking a peak into that bygone era and appreciating how far we’ve come!
Oh! Before we get lost in the swirling history, did I tell you about my trip to Paris? I was there last week and you wouldn’t believe the magnificent vintage shops. It is almost enough to make a girl forget about time travelling, I tell you! And what would a trip to Paris be without a visit to the Opera Garnier? My, that venue, with its beautiful interior and rich history. Every corner whispering stories of legendary dancers, glorious ballets, and oh, the outfits! I came back home positively brimming with inspiration and sketches for my own line of pink tutus! Maybe someday I’ll even open a boutique in London and finally, the dream of wearing pink tutus everyday could be a reality! I do have a question though. What would you call a boutique selling exclusively tutus? Tutuscious? What do you think? Let me know!
Okay, enough about my personal excitement – back to 1918! This year, like many, is one of transition and innovation. Just as the world outside is navigating through the aftermath of war, the ballet world is experiencing its own transformative moments. Ballet, once primarily the domain of the aristocracy, was reaching out to new audiences.
On this very day in June, 11th, 1918, London’s Royal Opera House was buzzing with the excitement of a new production. “The Sleeping Beauty” – the legendary tale of a princess held captive by an evil fairy, danced into the spotlight with a fresh, revitalised perspective.
While the tutu's history reaches much further back in time, in 1918, they were finding a more form-fitting silhouette – becoming much more streamlined than earlier romantic period tutus. These tutus were the perfect complement to the breathtaking choreography and storytelling, allowing the dancers’ grace and strength to take center stage, even in those grand gowns that many ballets call for. They’ve also embraced colour; it seems like they are beginning to break away from the tradition of only wearing white or pale pink tutus! While I have an undeniable affection for the colour pink, it's wonderful to see other colours appearing on the stage – adding vibrancy and variety to the performance! I do have a soft spot for the powder blue tulle skirts though!
As the war raged on, it brought both challenges and opportunities for the ballet world. One notable opportunity? An influx of female dancers into the studios, previously dominated by men. With many men called to service, women began taking their place in the dance halls. Many danced in benefit shows, supporting charitable causes and bolstering morale in war-stricken communities! This new wave of women were bringing with them innovative ideas and a passion for dance that would impact the landscape of ballet for years to come! As they took the stage in those flowing, diaphanous tutus, a symbol of strength, beauty and grace shone through the adversity of war. And in that way, the tutu transcended its purpose, serving as a symbol of resilience and feminine empowerment! It was more than a garment; it became a statement.
Now, picture this: 1918 London. As the night air carries the sounds of distant sirens and newsboys’ cries, the inside of the Royal Opera House is a whirlwind of colours and sounds. The stage is lit with vibrant hues of the newly modernised stage lighting and the dancers are moving with a newfound freedom – every twirl, every leap, a beautiful representation of the dance itself, reminding us that the magic of dance knows no boundaries, not even in the midst of adversity! What a remarkable world this was!
Speaking of the Royal Opera House… it’s a location that just pulls me in. The sheer size of it, the architecture, the stories that flow out of the bricks themselves. I had the opportunity to go a couple weeks ago (I told you about the new ballet class in Kensington, the one with the gorgeous tea shop next door? It’s simply divine! My pink tutu went quite well, I’ll let you in on a secret...they’re creating a whole ballet set to music of that great show about a large floating structure, that will premiere in October!) I got so caught up talking to the people there, they shared with me such wonderful anecdotes about the history of the ballet. Just like with many of my other travels, these stories just make me appreciate the magic of history even more.
And wouldn’t you know, they are preparing to perform a special, one night only show on June 11th next year - a reconstruction of the very performance I just mentioned. You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be booking my tickets for that show - you can count on me posting all the fashion delights that I spot! I just know the 1918 trend of streamlining tutus will have transitioned further. I’m hoping to see some really elaborate designs - some true show-stopping designs for their special production!
What do you think of 1918 tutus? If you love history, fashion and dancing, leave your comments on www.pink-tutu.com and I’ll be sure to reply! You can follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as @pink_tutu for all the daily gossip about tutus, dancing, and life in the grand historical and modern worlds!
Now, go grab that lovely pink tutu of yours, dance around, and maybe have a little tea! Stay safe, darlings, and I’ll see you next Tuesday.
All my love, Emma
