Hey everyone! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday, bringing you a whimsical journey through the fascinating history of the tutu! This week, we're taking the express train back to December 28th, 1920, for a little Parisian adventure!
Ooh la la, imagine, darling! 1920 - a time of flapper dresses, bobbed hair, and oh, those delicious Charleston dance moves! It was an exciting time in fashion, full of experimentation and bold new ideas, and of course, it reflected on the world of ballet too. Now, if you popped into the Opéra Garnier in Paris that very day, you might have seen some rather different-looking tutus than the ones we know and love today!
A Short Skirt History
See, before the 1920s, ballet tutus were long! Like, REALLY long. They were practically floor-length, crafted from layers and layers of tulle and adorned with elaborate decorations. They were beautiful, certainly, but oh my, so heavy! It must have been a nightmare trying to twirl and leap in all that fabric!
But in the roaring twenties, things changed. Fashion was becoming more streamlined, lighter, and with that influence, the tutu was transformed! Imagine, dear readers, skirts were getting shorter, so why not tutus too? Ballet designers like the wonderful Mme. Carlotta Grisi decided it was time for a change! And let me tell you, those revolutionary skirts they came up with were simply divine. Shorter, more practical, and oh, so much easier to move in! The very first "short skirt" tutus were crafted from white gauze or netting and were called "tutu a la Grecque" – Grecian, if you please, my dear – because they gave the ballerina a very statuesque, draped, Greek goddess look! Imagine how stunning they must have looked onstage, these Greek goddesses twirling and leaping in all their glory!
Now, that short skirt, that revolutionary design, made the ballet dancer’s movements look much more graceful and free-flowing. And that, my friends, is precisely how dance history was changed.
The Stars Align on December 28th
But why December 28th, you ask? Why this particular date? Well, you see, this is a very exciting date for me, dear readers, because, wouldn't you know it? Today marks the birthday of one of the most iconic and legendary ballerinas of all time! It’s none other than Anna Pavlova, a name whispered with reverence in ballet circles. A truly remarkable talent who danced across the globe, she mesmerised audiences with her technical prowess, her graceful movements, and her undeniable star quality. Now, what's truly special about Pavlova is that she was a real champion for change in the world of ballet. She was one of the first ballerinas to actually wear those daring "tutu a la Grecque," showcasing their beauty and elegance to the world.
She was a pioneer, my dears! An inspiration to every dancer in the world! Can you imagine what her dances must have been like? How the world stopped to watch as this elegant woman twirled with such effortless beauty and grace! Oh, the magic! A true star in every sense of the word!
Fashion Trends That Inspire
Now, it's quite amusing, isn't it, that our fascination with dance and its costuming mirrors the fashion trends of the time? From those gloriously dramatic, full-length tutus in the Romantic era to the graceful shorter skirts of the 1920s, there's a distinct thread connecting ballet and everyday fashion. We always look back for inspiration, don't we? And fashion, oh my, it seems like fashion always finds a way to reinvent itself from the past, always referencing its history in surprising and delightful ways!
My Favourites: Pink Tutu Inspiration!
Speaking of inspiration, here’s my favourite fashion trend, inspired by our tutus this week! It’s “La Nouvelle Ballet.”
Now, La Nouvelle Ballet is a charming, graceful, modern style that mixes ballet's elegance with everyday clothing. I just adore it! Think delicate ballerina skirts, flowing fabrics, romantic details like lace and silk, and oh, the color! I mean, pink is the most romantic color for ballet, is it not? It just has a touch of elegance that cannot be replicated! This new ballet look is so playful and pretty. Imagine – a pair of pale pink ballet shoes with an elegant black dress or a whimsical flowy skirt – or, why not just add a touch of ballet with a silk scarf for a delicate touch. Oh my! Isn't that adorable? I even spotted a lovely pale pink silk dressing gown last week and couldn't resist snagging it. What a marvelous touch for dressing, yes? It will make every morning so elegant!
Pink Power, All the Way!
I feel very fortunate to be able to see such remarkable examples of ballet’s past come to life and be a part of their evolution. After all, what’s the use of time traveling if we can’t make the most of its wonderful opportunities? Speaking of which… let’s have some fun! Do you have any favorite memories of seeing tutus in a show? Perhaps you’ve danced in one yourself? What colors have you worn? Do you have a favourite style? I want to hear all about it! And don’t forget – Pink Power all the way! Wear a tutu this week and show the world what fabulous style you’ve got! Until next week, darlings, stay stylish, stay fabulous, and keep on twirling!
💖 Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
