Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina! I'm back with another #TutuTuesday history post, fresh from a trip to… drumroll please… 1917! Fancy a little trip back to the roaring twenties, even if it’s just a glimpse into fashion and ballet in that glorious decade? Hop aboard my trusty time-traveling train and let’s set off on a pink-hued adventure!
Oh, before I forget, I just can't resist a little update on my tutu-fication project. It's been so thrilling to see my favourite shade of pink catching on! Last week I even saw a flock of fluffy pink tutus gracing the windows of a dress shop in London! Imagine! It's becoming quite the trend, and honestly, darling, what’s more delightful than a splash of pink?
Anyway, back to our time-traveling adventure! So, picture it, 1917. The world's buzzing with change - a great war is being fought, women are taking on new roles, and fashion is starting to break free from those stuffy Victorian silhouettes. This is the time of the flapper! These chic and independent ladies are sporting shorter hemlines, sleek bob haircuts, and oh, the dazzling embellishments! And you know what? It’s just begging for a little ballet-inspired flair.
As a lover of all things twirly, I just had to visit Paris, the city that never sleeps, and the heart of ballet, to see what all the fuss is about! And what a feast for the eyes it was! I popped into the Opéra Garnier, which was all opulence and grandeur, and it was the setting for the grand premiere of Sergei Diaghilev’s company's production of "The Nightingale." Can you imagine? A world-class ballet spectacle - oh, the colours! The costumes! And the incredible dance of the corps de ballet! Oh, darling, they were pure magic!
Speaking of costumes, one thing I love about 1917, even more than those lovely beaded flapper dresses, was the ballet costumes! They were just divine. Still romantic, yet there was a touch of boldness, with some daring designs revealing peekaboo flashes of flesh through intricate beadwork and intricate layers of silk! Talk about captivating the eyes!
What about tutus? I’m happy to say tutus were definitely enjoying a glorious moment in 1917! Think shimmering silks in shades of lavender, blush, and even some beautiful pops of pale pink! They were so dreamy and twirling, adding a touch of light-heartedness to a rather turbulent time. They were designed to capture the essence of the dance - light, graceful, and full of enchanting elegance! And don’t even get me started on the feathers!
But let’s get a bit practical, darling. Those feathers wouldn’t last long on a twirling ballerina on a bustling Parisian street! 1917 saw the rise of the street ballerina. Think graceful ladies waltzing and pirouetteing in public spaces. It’s the ballet moves, but brought to the public - and don’t worry, we are talking about perfectly executed movements. No slips, just controlled artistry! It’s an elegant rebellion against the stuffy norms and a glorification of movement! It truly speaks to the essence of ballet: grace, strength, and freedom!
Of course, a ballerina has to keep up with the times, and as a lover of clothes and dance, it’s been such a thrill to witness this change! 1917 really set the stage for the dazzling evolution of both fashion and dance, and I, my darling, am loving every minute of it.
But back to our pink-tutu agenda. If 1917 had any pink tutus at all, I missed them. No matter. Let’s put some colour into this time! After all, pink is the colour of happiness, and wouldn’t the world just be a little bit brighter with a splash of it? Don’t be shy! Try a tutu for size, and see the world through a brighter lens!
Remember to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more photos, stories, and tips on all things pink and tutus! And don’t forget to tune in next week for another #TutuTuesday adventure. Until then, keep twirling!
