Bonjour, my darling dance devotees! Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing time travelling ballerina, bringing you another tantalising instalment in the story of the beloved tutu! Today, my train ticket's whisked me back to the shimmering 20s - a decade dripping in flapper-esque fringe, art deco extravagance, and a passion for dance that echoed through every cobbled street.
From my favourite vantage point, overlooking the Parisian stage, the scent of powder and perfume mingling with the lilting melody of a Strauss waltz, let me paint a picture of tutus on 22nd February, 1927...
You see, darling, the year 1927 marked a significant moment in dance, particularly ballet. This was the year that Diaghilev's legendary Ballets Russes - the ballet company that literally redefined the landscape of dance - premiered the iconic ballet Aurora's Wedding. The story, a charming take on the classic "Sleeping Beauty", was crafted by a dear friend of Diaghilev - the utterly brilliant choreographer, Nikolai "Nijinsky" de Volinine! *
This performance - I just had to witness it myself, you know, for the sheer brilliance - featured a costume unlike anything you might imagine! Think sleek and slender lines, shimmering tulle cascading in layers - and the colours - my goodness! It was a vision of lilac and lavender, shimmering gold embroidery adorning the bodice - utterly divine! It made a splash across Paris and captured hearts and minds alike - truly, a testament to the creative genius of the period. *
But before I get carried away by this particular tutu tale, let’s talk about the evolution of tutus during the early 20th century - a whirlwind of fashion innovation and artistic experimentation!
The Tutu's Transformation:
Before the rise of the romantique style of tutus, our much-loved tulle skirt was much more cumbersome. They were like stiffly starched frills around the legs, limiting movement and not exactly flattering. Think more bouffant than belle!
But with the rise of ballerinas like Anna Pavlova - oh, the grace, the elegance, the absolute mastery of movement! - there was a growing demand for something lighter, freer, and more enchanting. Enter, the tutu's renaissance - and with it, the rise of the romantic tutu, a more flexible, lightweight design that flowed with every delicate plié.
And my dear dancers, if you see a picture of a tutu today with short tulle, reaching to the knee - a "pencil tutu", it was this revolutionary style that popularised it - giving us those stunning arabesques that we just love!
I must mention - the invention of the elastic, darling, was a revelation in the world of dance - making these tutus even more comfy and movable, just what we ballerina's desire.
* The Importance of The Tutu*
You may be thinking: Emma, is the tutu just a pretty costume or something more? Well, dear reader, it's both!
The tutu - especially in the 20th century - is about more than just the shimmery elegance and graceful swish. The Romantique tutu is a symbol of liberation and a sign of evolution, just like the dance styles of the period. It transformed the role of the ballerina - giving her the opportunity to soar on pointe and explore movements beyond anything ever seen before.
The tutu became an integral part of how dance told its stories and expressed its deepest emotions - imagine those fluttering wisps of tulle acting as another character on stage!
* Where can we find a Tutu today?*
Today, my darling dance lovers, tutus have become such an essential part of the ballet aesthetic that it’s difficult to imagine the dance world without them!
You find them everywhere from grand opera houses to local dance schools - their presence is everywhere in costumes and even in modern fashion that’s been influenced by dance.
So, whenever you see that billowing tulle swirling across a stage, remember this - you're watching the evolution of dance come to life.
Tutu Tuesday Takeaways:
The tutu - from it’s stiff beginning, became a more elegant representation of movement.
This beautiful ballet design has shaped fashion, and popular culture in more ways than one.
Remember when you're watching the beautiful dancing at your local ballet show - to appreciate this fascinating and evolutionary design.
So, there we have it, another delightful foray into the enchanting world of the tutu. Keep your eyes peeled for more adventures in this beautiful world - because as every ballerina knows: the more tulle, the better!
Until next Tuesday,
Stay graceful! Emma
#BalletTutuHistory #pink-tutu.com #ballet #dance
Editor’s Note - Emma does a lot of research. The date in the original blog is accurate Emma has the wrong choreographer/designer for the tutu at this date and mixed it with the tutu that Leon Bakst designed. Emma also made up a quote by N Nijinsky that is not attributable to him, he was a very influential choreographer of the period and was famous for his incredible artistry as a dancer. This blog is to inform the reader, please check with credible historical sources.
