Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly! I'm your fabulous fashion-forward ballerina, Emma, and today, I'm taking you on a Tutu Time-Trip back to the early 1900s! I know, I know, "tutu time-travel" might sound crazy, but it's what I do best – I combine my love of dance and my passion for history!
Today is #TutuTuesday (and did you know that every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday?), so buckle up, dear reader, and let's explore the evolution of the tutu, back in the time of flappers, Suffragettes, and the invention of the Zipper (imagine a time before zips!)
I recently popped into the glorious Edwardian era and saw, not just the incredible dresses, (think long, flowing, and corseted, darling!) but a glimpse of the tutu – The original tutu! Oh, how it made me twirl! It was truly a marvel of the time, more practical and utilitarian than what we see in the modern era.
Remember back then the only source of electricity was gas lighting and power and even that was an absolute luxury for most people – and it’s certainly a long way from our flashing phone screens now! (Did I just say phones? That’s just my time - it’s only a few years ahead here in 2010!). The beauty of the ballet stage in that time relied on elaborate costume design that truly brought drama and grandeur to the story. This makes the tutu's form and how it appeared to move an even more important factor in the way it was created.
Now, think back with me to the classic romantic tutu! Think fluffy, airy, and made from layers and layers of delicate tulle, which could sometimes mean hundred of layers of the softest fabric. Oh, how those tulle clouds whispered secrets with every twirl!
I discovered, though, in this period the tutu hadn't yet been *fully liberated. Imagine a romantic tutu, with more coverage than we see today. These tutus still used a lot of material – much of it gathered from full circle shapes into a more traditional shape. There's still that *voluminous form we love, just with more tulle at the top and it didn't quite get as far up the legs as we now take it for granted!
I can't wait to continue the #TutuTuesday time-travelling, I will delve more into how the tutu evolved in time and look more into specific examples of the tutu design used for a range of iconic ballet performances and what kind of shape the tutus have in iconic roles today. What's that you say? You'd like to go on a *Tutu Time-Trip with me?* You’re so lucky I’m planning my next trip to 1920’s London! Be sure to stay in touch through the comments to this post or follow me at @pinktutuemma for more sneak peaks of my fabulous time travels!
Don’t forget, the best thing about wearing a tutu is knowing you’re helping to bring happiness and joy to the world, just like you can see the tutus and dance style still inspire artists, photographers, and fashion designers even now, and all the way back into the beginning of the twentieth century.
And as I always say – a pink tutu makes everyone look like a ballerina! I know, it’s true! I've never found an instance where a pink tutu wasn’t perfectly acceptable for any occasion. It even looked fabulous when I popped out to meet Queen Victoria in a vintage black one for one of my early trips.
For my next trip back into the era, I'm trying out a stunning white feather-trimmed gown with pink feather boa – it is, I think, what the era really looks like at least from how people like myself think of it now. What do you think? Will you wear pink this week and maybe wear your tutu? And let’s not forget to tell your friends #TutuTuesday and share all of your fashion tutus in my favourite pink.
Now, off to pack for my next Tutu Time-Trip to the 1920’s!
Don’t forget to share your fashion photos and style tips and don't forget to say Hi @pinktutuemma #TutuTuesday and keep sending in your photos so I can feature them here and on social media! Happy #TutuTuesday to all.
Emma
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