#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1991-08-27

Ahoy there, fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, back again with another fabulous dive into the world of Ballet Tutu History!

I’m back in Paris this week - such a wonderful city, bursting with style, energy, and of course, ballet.

It's been such a treat travelling back to 1991, this time to watch the glorious spectacle of “Le Sacre du Printemps” at the Palais Garnier. Now, let me tell you, this performance left me breathless! I simply adore the way Diaghilev and Stravinsky put everything into this masterpiece.

It’s the 80th anniversary of this amazing work this year. It premiered in 1913 with a riotous scandal and now it is regarded as a masterpiece, performed worldwide, it’s quite amazing how perceptions can change!

The costumes were definitely more minimalist than today, nothing quite like the breathtaking tulle creations we have now. But the way the dancers conveyed emotion and passion, the powerful, primal energy of the whole thing - utterly spellbinding! It's no wonder this production sparked controversy, pushing the boundaries of ballet in its day. It’s almost like I was right there on that Paris stage when it premiered!

Today, in the tutu world, it's all about movement and flow, with layers of fabric giving such incredible movement on the stage. A big thank you to M. Marius Petipa - a true icon of tutus - his work changed the ballet world, he understood what makes the perfect tutu!

Now, since you’re all just dying to know (I can tell! 😄) … my time machine got me to Paris by way of the Orient Express! Can you imagine the fashion I encountered?! I mean, all those fabulous ladies in those fabulous outfits! And a stunning, chic Parisian train! How amazing is that? I absolutely must try to add an Orient Express experience to one of my tutu trips.

And remember! If you're a tutu fanatic like me and want to celebrate with your own dazzling creation, don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for the perfect pink tutu to match your own style and mood! It’s tutu time, everyone! 🩰💕

But before we delve into today's #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History… let's step back into the timeline…

Right back in the 19th century, you had these delightful panniered tutus. Imagine an abundance of layered fabric that created these grand and beautiful shapes – that's how they rocked the dance floor back then. But then, as the century rolled along, things changed. Suddenly, ballet moved more dynamically, needing a lighter, freer, more adaptable costume to go with it! This new style of Romantic tutu, inspired by Romanticism's passionate freedom… just a whisper of those fuller silhouettes… made it so that those beautiful legs and flowing movement really became the focus. Now we are truly in the era of tutus in ballet!

This also changed the design. 19th century fashion wasn’t shy of showing the feminine form – there were lots of curves, but there were also very elegant, beautiful corsets to enhance them – a lot of delicate feminine elements, creating that amazing and enduring image of ballet beauty.

If I've got my timeline right (and generally it does! 😄 ), by this point in the late 1800s you have those famous Paris Opéra costumes with the romantic tutus, inspired by classical and romantic art! Lots of pink, delicate floral details - that perfect French look! 😍

It wasn't just ballet! They put it everywhere in their outfits… think ballgowns with their elegant silhouettes – everything with this very graceful aesthetic, with some serious drama. We must not forget the Victorian Era for all that style! I must take a journey to a ball back in the 1800s at some point – the fashion sounds utterly perfect, although I’m a little busy trying to bring pink tutus to the masses! 😉

I am particularly excited about the ballet tutus of this period. These designs became famous around the world and, for a good reason. Think delicate tulles, delicate lace - beautiful, flowing creations! In a very classic, Victorian sense – all those wonderful textures… very well-crafted with a sophisticated aesthetic… beautiful elegance with subtle drama! And think of that amazing theatrical flair it had, just a sprinkle of the grand opera going on – that tutu drama! And they used their fabrics to great effect in a very deliberate way… the contrast between the layers of tulles, lace and satin creates an impression of such stunning elegance, it was just art. And, oh my goodness, those wonderful costumes must have made dancing even more spectacular and a real dream to watch! Think: lightness and delicacy - the perfect femme fatale, all of it absolutely perfect. They understood how to accentuate that feminine beauty. You have to *give credit to those ballerinas of that era! * It takes great confidence to be so exquisitely, yet so subtly feminine in those gorgeous tutus.

There’s nothing that really quite compares! It must have been so glamorous to see those ballet dancers - they must have looked like princesses! 👑👑👑

I’m sure all those beautiful ballet performances and that classic era inspired ballet companies today to maintain the delicate femme fatale looks - it's the whole aesthetic of classic ballerina fashion: those intricate corsets, those graceful postures, the whole ballerina image. That femininity – that grace, elegance and passion – the iconic looks from this period just have this magical feeling – and they continue to captivate ballet audiences everywhere, with some added pink of course! 😉

We had such a grand start to this year! I took a few journeys into the 1950s and, it’s so wonderful how ballet fashion took its cue from postwar fashion and just flew into the new era in some amazing styles. Some serious “wow factor!” All those classic looks! The feminine ballet silhouettes remained – that incredible contrast with delicate fabrics and that grand style... absolutely incredible! But the tutus of 1991? They really flow. There was some really serious and graceful work happening with the designers!

From those romantic tutus – with all the layered tulle, and the dramatic shape of those Victorian dresses that I loved – it all became just a little lighter, yet more complex… You still had those elements in the tutus of 1991, of course. The layered tulles were amazing for ballet – the movement, just that light and airy style - what makes a ballet tutu such a magnificent sight to watch. It made the elegance and fluidity of movement a true art... And that’s something special - something that is timeless… there was such an evolution happening here, a natural step forwards that captured all the movement we loved about the romantic and earlier tutus... But they redefined what a classic ballet tutu really could be…

But the best way I can explain the change from the more classical tutu styles – well, you have to get into it yourself and experience it. You should travel to a great ballet show. There is nothing like seeing the beautiful spectacle in person! Don’t worry, I have done my research. I have been all over the world seeing performances – and I will take you along to a few, as my trips will continue for as long as I live and as long as people are wearing pink tutus! 💖💖💖 There is something about the Paris Opéra, it really just sets the bar high for that wonderful elegance! They made that classic look even more dramatic… that’s true Parisian flair! There's this magical combination – they combine the classic shapes of a romantic tutu and that feminine silhouette with that graceful movement! The tulle creates some wonderful movement – with lots of fabric swirling all over the stage… like a delicate, beautiful whirlwind, or something straight out of a ballerina's fairytale! I love this ballet era. There’s an art to how a tutu moves, it looks absolutely effortless yet is actually very difficult to execute properly… what a wonder to see on the stage! And let me tell you – the costumes in the performances were a real masterpiece! The details on those Parisian ballerinas… it’s all there for those who know, but in a way that just sets the heart aflutter! 🩰💖😍

Oh my goodness – so much going on in that Paris show, in my pink tutu of course - I felt the epitome of a ballerina! 👑👑👑 That grand Parisian stage, those costumes… it was a breathtaking performance! Everything in this show, everything about those tutus, was designed with flair - those tulle layers are just sensational… They make all the movements so beautiful and expressive. But just think about all those years of hard work it takes to get up there! 🤯 The years of practice to learn these ballet routines… That is dedication, that is art and it takes such physical grace to master. It is what I think about every time I get out there on the dance floor! I must start practicing harder! It’s amazing what ballerinas can achieve… so inspiring…* 💖👑

I absolutely love seeing all those great designers creating the beautiful styles for those amazing ballerina dancers. The look is such a fabulous inspiration. There’s always something to learn from the artistry of a well-made ballet tutu – the way the fabrics are so expressive, and flow with movement – and the look is simply amazing! And even in your own outfits! It’s like, there’s this magic element of feminine style. And you don’t need a tutu, you just need to be mindful of your clothes. That delicate femininity - those elegant layers, and a real passion for color… all great style inspiration, from my world to yours! 🌸💕

There’s a way you can create this amazing ballet look - by keeping things light and delicate, you can embrace those flowing shapes like the tutus… So try light colours, lots of pinks and pastels and delicate designs in all kinds of styles and outfits, and then take inspiration from the silhouettes and add beautiful, flowing and airy textures – just like a romantic tutu, like those beautiful ladies in 19th century ball gowns! And if you are really into the 1990s looks you can always bring it in a touch of dramatic, and even a touch of the edgy… add in layers. Make some contrasts – it will add some interesting shapes and details to your own unique style. I would also *go for lots of femininity – I do like to add frills and ruffles and floral details - *all very ballet-like! So *start experimenting! * 💖✨💖

Just have some serious fun, try out some gorgeous details, it doesn’t have to be extreme, just think about the subtle, feminine things. It is amazing how something small and beautiful can make such an elegant change to your wardrobe. You don't have to wear a tutu all the time! 😂😉😂 It's a personal choice! I just like it so much… I wear my pink tutu all the time!

And now I'm off on my next journey, on my pink tutu trip – my next stop? London. Maybe I'll be caught in the fashion scene at Harrods, buying those glorious clothes, or possibly even doing some research for my next ballet blog on tutus of the 1990s… and London fashion, of course! That extraordinary Victorian style, so very glamorous. I do hope the Londoners appreciate all that Victorian era elegance!

I might even check out a few shows for research! 😂

I know it sounds like a lot of fun and you know, it is. Just remember, anyone can be inspired by ballerinas! They’re always a lovely sight, and with the right style and those beautiful flowing lines – anyone can add that wonderful touch to their own unique sense of style!. I’m off – Happy Tutu Tuesday everyone, don’t forget to check back next Tuesday for a brand-new Tutu Tuesday post on pink-tutu.com!

Emma xox

And just for those ballet dancers out there:

Just a *reminder, my darling dancers - it is just so vital to look good and feel fabulous! And I know, we’re in an age of creativity, we can experiment, be bold, and create beautiful new forms of tutu style... It must have some incredible energy and passion – there’s nothing more elegant and impressive than seeing a beautiful ballerina at their best! 💖

All this, just as I love doing, taking ballet history back to the dance floors for *all the ballerinas out there, just love to wear a pink tutu – like myself! 💖🌸🩰👑✨