Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident Tutu Time Traveller, and today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a whirl through the shimmering world of 1919! 🩰✨
As ever, you lovely lot have been positively delightful with your feedback on my last blog. I’m just thrilled you loved reading about the ballerinas of 19th century Russia! So many of you are inspired to put on your tutus and swirl around the house, which just makes me so happy! 💖
And speaking of tutus, today is a rather special one, as it's my 4562nd #TutuTuesday blog post! My fingers are just about numb from typing, but it’s totally worth it for the sheer joy of spreading the love of the tutu, wouldn’t you agree?
Right, off to our historical adventure then, this week I’m in the captivating city of Paris. Oh la la! So chic.
Stepping out of my little time-travelling Tardis, it feels rather humid for early June. You know me, I love a good sun-kissed, rosy glow. (No wonder I’m drawn to pink tutus, right?) But alas, it seems like even French girls get a little red-cheeked with this amount of sun!
Now, 1919 – the year that ushered in the Roaring Twenties, the year of flapper dresses, bobbed hair, and – oh yes, the dawn of a very special kind of tutu!
That’s right, ladies, you wouldn’t believe how this simple little skirt revolutionised dance! Gone are the romantic, long tutus of the Romantic Ballet period; they’re replaced by a revolutionary new creation, the tutu as we know it: short, layered and oh-so-flouncy! It's called a tutu “en pointes,” named for the dainty and incredibly challenging tip-toes that the ballerinas use to stand on!
It was a world of contrast to the one we see today, where tutu skirts come in a symphony of styles – some with fluffy frills, some with bold panels. This tutu was sleek, designed for a clean line that revealed the movement and skill of the ballerina.
To picture what I'm talking about, just imagine a ballerina dressed in a shorter, silkier tutu with a simple leotard. These were the outfits that the renowned dancer Anna Pavlova donned for her incredible performances, capturing the imagination of Parisian audiences and indeed, the whole world.
To put it simply, the tutu en pointes was like the black dress of ballet – utterly timeless, endlessly chic.
Speaking of timeless styles, today I spotted a rather handsome young man strolling by with a dashing smile on his face and a bouquet of pink roses in his hand. Who knows, maybe he’s taking these roses to his beloved for a rendezvous at a rather enchanting ballet performance!
Parisian romances are practically bursting at the seams with ballet this time of year. They love it. Everyone is getting ready to watch Anna Pavlova perform at the Opéra Garnier. It's an honour to watch this graceful lady take to the stage! I hear her rendition of “The Dying Swan” is positively heart-wrenching! 🦢😭
Now, imagine me, all dressed up in my bright pink tutu, a dazzling sight amid the crowd in Paris, perhaps even drawing some amused stares and wondering glances. (There’s always a slight risk when stepping into a bygone era, darling! ).
Don't worry, dear readers, I’m sure there are enough ballet-loving souls who have already caught a glimpse of a bright pink tutu to get the “pink-tutu” ball rolling – we can all spread the word one spin at a time! ✨
But there is so much more to this era than the tutu revolution! It was a year that ushered in an entire revolution of style: dresses shortened, hems went up, women stepped into freedom!
A little later this evening, I'm hopping aboard a grand steam train for a luxurious journey. I'm feeling rather decadent and planning on indulging in a grand pastry at the carriage buffet (or is it "buffett" I wonder? 🤔 It's hard to resist indulging in delicious Parisian pastry! Even if I am still getting used to my train ticket, as you can’t buy one with a single note, apparently you have to pay with something called… "francs"! My head is spinning! It seems they love their little things here in Paris – tiny purses, tiny pastries and tiny currencies… just delightful! 💕
I'll keep you all posted about my further adventures through Paris' vibrant ballet scene. In the meantime, take a twirl, darling, wear a bright, beautiful pink tutu, and have a fabulous week!
Until next time, and keep those tutus spinning! 💖✨
