Greetings from Paris, darlings!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad historian of all things tutu! It's #TutuTuesday again, and oh, this week is special. Today, May 25th, 1920, we're stepping back into the dazzling world of dance! Paris, my dear readers, has always been the heart of fashion and glamour, but it was especially true in the 1920s! And who knew, but that this very date played host to an unforgettable event: the premiere of "Le Sacre du Printemps," a revolutionary ballet by Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky.
You know I love my tutus, and you've all come to expect an historical lesson on those wonderful things. But, let me tell you, the costumes for this ballet were wild, unconventional even! Think strong, angular lines and movements. Think a very un-traditional use of a very specific type of tutu - not the billowing, Romantic ones you'd expect!
That's why we call this era "the dawn of the modern ballet". This new style didn't need romantic frills to express itself - it needed freedom of movement! So, instead of floating clouds of tulle, the costumes in this famous ballet - shockingly - had less layers. Less fluff. We were starting to see that the dancer and their expression were taking centre stage, not just their costumes! It was truly a bold shift.
Oh! I just had to see that ballet in person, you know, I am such a ballet fanatic. And what better way to travel to the 1920s than to have a concert booking myself? A concert to pay for the train fare, the hotel - the outfits, darlings!
Imagine, sipping tea at an afternoon soirée, where women wore such exquisitely elaborate dresses. Long gloves, perfectly placed hats... the epitome of Parisian chic. I must say, this 1920s Parisian lifestyle was pure escapism. But of course, I found time for my favourite activity! I slipped into a gorgeous pink gown with delicate beadwork (yes, I am never far from my pink, and, of course, there was a small amount of lace and silk!), and danced among the Parisians at a fancy theatre... it was absolutely divine!
Speaking of pink... it wasn't just in my gown, my lovelies! It's in the theatre itself! It's no coincidence that many of the world's best theatres and dance halls feature the shade! Pink symbolizes energy, passion, and playfulness! The colour represents the light and laughter within us all! I think that it adds a truly wonderful touch to any ballet performance - it simply radiates elegance and warmth. Don't you think?
Let's move away from costumes for a bit and onto what else made the 1920s so special. Think, flapper dresses, art deco patterns, and the jazzy Charleston! Yes! This era wasn't just about grand ballet. It was a vibrant explosion of creativity and colour! It's no wonder we all love our "Great Gatsby" evenings - with sequins, feathers, and an ever-so-slightly illicit feeling in the air! The 1920s reminded us all that fashion can be both beautiful and bold - an expression of who we are and how we want to live our lives.
Back to ballet now. Imagine this: The ballerinas on stage wearing skirts... Imagine it, my darlings! Not billowing tutus, but skirts. Skirts that allowed them to swirl and flow - like leaves carried on the breeze - so graceful!
I was lucky enough to have an afternoon at a charming dance class where the girls were wearing those very skirts! Such elegance! So effortless! The way they moved with such grace - oh, to dance as effortlessly! I found myself feeling inspired to purchase my very own skirts... a collection of them... one in each colour... so, Naturally, my journey began in a lovely Parisian shop that stocked the most exquisite fabrics and trims - just perfect for skirt creation! And pink is one of the first colours, of course.
As my time in 1920 comes to a close, I'm leaving with my skirt collection and an overflowing heart! It's times like these, you see, that remind me why my tutu journey continues... It's about understanding our past to appreciate the beauty that continues to unfold around us, my darlings. We must never forget the spark of change, the passion for expression, the thrill of new ideas, that always existed - it just waited to blossom.
So until next #TutuTuesday, darlings, keep dreaming pink! And maybe have a go at designing some skirts yourself? Maybe make a simple skirt as a birthday treat? I'd love to see them! Tag me in your pink creations on Instagram!
Have a splendid week! And remember, tutus are for everyone!
With love,
Emma xoxo
