Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-tastic! Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a rather exciting trip back in time, to the glorious year of 1919. Buckle up, because this journey is going to be a real whirlwind of style and history!
Now, I know what you're thinking. 1919? That seems ages ago! But, my dears, history is full of fascinating tutus waiting to be discovered. Just imagine, back in 1919, the world was still recovering from a Great War, the flapper era was just blossoming, and, oh, the fabulous fashion! My love for tutus led me to take a little trip on the Orient Express, which, let me tell you, is as luxurious as the tutus I love! My mission, you see, is to share these vintage tutu stories with you, to inspire and to demonstrate that tutus are truly timeless!
But, back to 1919... let's explore what the world of dance was like then. We’re in Paris, the epicenter of ballet, a city that pulsates with creativity, energy, and, of course, a passion for dance! Imagine being in a bustling theatre, the scent of perfume mingling with the thrill of anticipation as the curtain rises. The stage, bathed in a soft glow, reveals a beautiful ballerina poised in her exquisite costume – a shimmering white tutu! Just imagine!
Speaking of tutus, back in 1919, tutus were starting to embrace a softer, more flowing silhouette, moving away from the more rigid and structured styles of the Victorian era. These tutus, while still beautiful, didn't completely cling to the legs. Think of them as delicate, ethereal wisps of tulle, hinting at a playful, carefree air, a new age of women in motion.
Fashion Frenzy: A Time For Tulle!
The fashion world in 1919 was quite the scene, and what did they wear? Why, tulle, of course! Imagine the delicate, fluttering silhouettes, the graceful swirls of chiffon and tulle. The fabric whispered a new story - a story of elegance, of modern womanhood, and of a time brimming with artistic expression!
Think flappers! Flapper dresses, my loves, were a revolution in themselves, embracing movement, celebrating a sense of fun and liberation. What do you think of that, dear reader? Does the spirit of the flappers resonate with your love of all things twirly?
1919 also brought us some wonderful fashion accessories – I can’t imagine venturing outside my apartment in London without my essential beaded bag! (But the fashion shows at Covent Garden! It's enough to make one dizzy with excitement.) So imagine: your glamorous outfit in 1919 could easily feature a beaded handbag, long strings of pearls (you just cannot get enough pearls in a single outfit!), or a pair of sparkly earrings. We’re truly in an era that embraced colour, texture and most importantly… glamour.
A Day in Paris: A Dream in Pink!
To imagine a typical day in Paris during this time, one must understand that life for Parisians revolved around beauty. Even a seemingly simple walk around the charming streets of Montmartre, with its vibrant artist studios and its cobbled lanes, could feel like an exquisite dance! It was a time for elegant café culture, for artists capturing the essence of life on canvas, and of course, the delightful melodies that flowed from Parisian salons!
Imagine, if you will, walking through the gardens of the Palais Garnier, that masterpiece of a building. Picture the trees ablaze with a glorious autumnal hue and the fresh smell of pine needles under your feet! Oh, my, it sounds utterly enchanting. Perhaps a ballerina practicing pirouettes in a sunbeam or the graceful strut of a Parisian woman with a fluffy tulle stole!
Tutus in the Spotlight: The Magic of the Theatre
Speaking of Paris, a ballet show, particularly at the Opéra Garnier, was considered a major event, darling. Just like us, the Parisians loved to attend performances, dressed in their finest attire. Now, picture this: the dazzling chandeliers in the Garnier glittering above a throng of fashionable women with delicate bead necklaces, men in elegant suits, and of course, the exquisite ballerinas, gracefully gliding across the stage in their beautiful, shimmering white tutus! Oh my, what a scene! I wouldn't mind taking a trip on a magical time machine myself to catch a glimpse of the action, would you?
As for my trip on the Orient Express…
Ah! Remember how I said that I fund my time travel adventures through ballet performances? This journey to Paris is made possible because of a wonderful ballet show that I danced in back in Derby last weekend. "The Sleeping Beauty" - it truly is a classic, so beautiful, the story, the music! It just doesn't get more fairytale than a lovely, sparkly Sleeping Beauty tutu. Don’t you just love to perform in it, with all the beautiful fabric flowing in the breeze? My absolute favourite! (Although a touch of "Pink-tutu" here and there… a sparkly pink crown for the Princess Aurora… might just be fabulous). Anyway, now I’m able to spend this whole week wandering through Paris with my pink tutu bag in tow… what a dream!
Why Tutus? The Answer is Clear as Crystal!
But I wonder what made me pick Paris, out of all the places? The answer is simple: Paris, with its rich history in dance and its connection to fashion, has a certain irresistible je ne sais quoi, a sense of grace, elegance, and art. This is where the spirit of the ballet and the allure of the tutu truly intertwine! Just like how you can’t have a fairytale without a beautiful princess and a gorgeous tulle gown, right? (Oh! If I can inspire you, darling, to wear a pink tutu while you read this blog, please take a photo and send it to me for #PinkTutuTuesday! Your pink tutu look would just be incredible! I would be delighted!)
And I just think back to that first time that I put on a tutu. I was about four. The feeling, the movement, the graceful spin and… well… that just about does it for me. Oh! To twirl in a gorgeous pink tutu around Paris would be an absolute dream!
But, my lovelies, as much as we love to admire the fashion, don't forget that ballet is, above all, an art form. It's about the stories, the emotions, the physical and mental expression that the dancers convey through their movement, their costumes, and, yes, their tutus!
Coming Next Week…
Now, don't forget, dear reader, to check in next Tuesday for our next #TutuTuesday adventure! We'll delve into another fascinating historical time, tracing the captivating history of our beloved tutus, their stories, their evolution and how they shaped dance history!
Stay fabulous, my dears, and keep those tutus twirling!
XOXO
Emma
