27th April 1920: Oh, the Drama!
Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back again for another enchanting Tutu Tuesday. As you all know, a passion for ballet and pink tutus means I just have to delve into their history! This week we're stepping back to a rather dramatic time: 27th April 1920. It’s funny how dates hold so much power, isn’t it? It makes me realise that our favourite tutus and the graceful art of ballet have been there through all sorts of world events, from big political upheavals to, of course, countless thrilling premieres!
And trust me, this week we're going to discover something rather thrilling... the magic of tutus in the theatre.
Before we dive into the details, let’s get the train rolling - this one takes us straight to Paris! Ah, Paris…the heart of fashion, romance, and yes, even ballet. It's just the place to understand the magic of the tutu in this period.
But before you picture elegant dancers twirling through grand theaters, you've got to understand, this wasn’t a pink-tutu world, just yet. The early 20th century in ballet had its own unique charm - a bit more ‘dark and mysterious,’ shall we say. You see, tutus were short. They weren’t the grand, voluminous, sweeping designs you might imagine today. Instead, think more about these adorable, ‘fluffy’ skirts. And by fluffy, I mean these were essentially short, poufy skirts that had this beautiful ‘peapod’ shape.
Now, what’s special about this shape? Well, imagine a young ballerina’s legs and feet – think dainty and delicate. They were literally a ballet dancer's dream come true. Imagine how this peapod shape would have brought out the graceful, long line of her form? I just adore how it accentuates that beauty! Plus, just picture the ease of movement. This shape helped the dancers show off the speed and precision of the moves, making each movement so powerful.
But 1920? This is a dramatic year in our tutu timeline because something absolutely breathtaking occurred: Sergi Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes took center stage.
Can you even imagine? To be transported back in time to watch this? Just the sheer extravagance!
And how could I forget, a stunning event occurred just 14 days earlier, on the 13th April, to make this year even more fascinating. Can you guess? That’s right: Sergei Diaghilev of the Ballet Russes opened the very first London Season of Russian Ballet! Isn’t that incredible?
But back to our Parisian fashion escapade… The Ballet Russes absolutely re-wrote the rules when it came to tutus. Think sombre and serious, and imagine the power of colour. In those early years, think deep blues, rich crimson, and the most stunning purples - the contrast is truly divine!
These are not the delicate pastel pink hues you'd see later in ballet; these were tutus for serious, dramatic effect! And the materials used were as beautiful as the colours - luxurious fabrics like silk, and, you know, perhaps even some bits of shiny stuff like sequins…the glimmer and gleam of these creations would have been simply mesmerising!
And even the makeup was designed to be impactful, imagine heavy kohl-lined eyes and those lovely soft lips, making the dancers’ expressions more theatrical and expressive…oooh! It’s no wonder this style would have influenced some of the most significant ballet stars and even set a stage for what we enjoy today.
Of course, I am eternally grateful to those early designers who understood how impactful color can be! It gives us something truly beautiful to gaze at in this dazzling time, a true feast for the eyes.
Speaking of beautiful eyes, that was no simple tutu for nothing, darling. You see, the tutu designs were all about the stage. Imagine all of those glittering stage lights hitting these fabulous creations – wow! Talk about dramatic effect. They were designed to shimmer in the light, adding a captivating layer to the whole performance!
Don't you find it fascinating, how those original tutus embraced a different kind of drama? Not just grace and elegance, but a captivating blend of intense feelings! Oh, it makes me want to get up and do a twirl, right here, right now!
Alright darlings, what about us? Here's where our journey takes an exciting turn! If you’ve got a taste for theatre (and I suspect you do, considering you're reading this on my pink-tutu.com blog), I highly recommend heading to your local theatre this week and grabbing a show. And not just any show – get those toes tapping, get yourself to a musical! Think about it: a blend of beautiful costumes, drama, catchy tunes – what’s more exciting? And just like with the Ballet Russes, let the stage lights ignite those stunning visuals for you.
There's nothing quite like a performance to truly experience the spirit of those original, dramatic tutus! After all, fashion isn’t about just clothing – it's about that wonderful blend of emotions and stories we share on stage and with each other.
Now, let's continue this trend in our lives! You heard it here first, from yours truly, in this enchanting corner of pink-tutu.com: the next time you step out in your lovely pink tutu, feel like a ballerina, add some dramatic flair! A bold lip colour? A glittering hair clip? It’s up to you – a sprinkle of those Parisian vibes? Why not! This isn’t just about what you wear, my lovelies – this is about channeling that dramatic essence – a hint of mystery, a dash of boldness. And don't be afraid to experiment, to let those original tutu designs inspire your very own look! I know we all have something wonderful within!
I can’t wait to see what stories you create, in your beautiful tutu's and dramatic style, darlings! And next week, we're digging back into our ballet tutu timeline again – don’t you worry. The magic is never truly over, only a dance away!
Remember, wear your tutu proudly, darlings, * Emma * www.pink-tutu.com
