Hello, my darling dancers! Emma here, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, bringing you another fabulously fluffy instalment of Tutu Tuesday! I just landed back in my pink, pink, pink tutu in Derbyshire after a most splendid trip to the Parisian ballet world of 1920. Oh, my darlings, it was an absolute delight! I must say, the fashions of the time are absolutely divine – and the ballet? Well, you're just going to love what I saw...
First things first, let's have a look at what’s happening in the world today: July 13th, 1920! We're in the middle of the roaring 20s, where jazz music is the rage and women are breaking free from tradition – both in their attire and their dreams! I imagine it was a terribly exciting time to be alive! Just imagine all the fabulous flapper dresses, the lively dances at speakeasies, and the blossoming world of art deco – pure magic!
But of course, I had to check out the Parisian ballet scene first. You see, Paris has always been the centre of fashion and culture, so the ballet scene is something else entirely! And I was lucky enough to witness an unforgettable performance of Sergei Diaghilev’s "Les Sylphides" by the famed Ballets Russes!
Oh my goodness, was it glorious! The Ballets Russes, those delightful dancers, brought to life a graceful and ethereal vision, all spun from moonlight and dreams. The tutus were a spectacle in themselves - soft and airy, crafted with delicate fabrics that floated on the stage as if carried by the wind. Imagine the beautiful layers of silk, lace and tulle – I swear I could feel the whispers of their delicate movements in the air, just like a delicate snowflake. The ballet tutus of this era were like sculpted clouds, an airy and exquisite interpretation of romanticism that was just mesmerizing.
One of the fascinating things about 1920s ballet was the blending of ballet with artistic expression. Diaghilev had an innovative vision that incorporated a more expressive style of dancing, one that combined traditional classical steps with a more dramatic and fluid approach. I imagine that watching it would be like being caught in a captivating whirlwind of grace and beauty!
Of course, after the show, I went on a shopping spree – Parisian fashion is a thing of beauty! I even purchased a few yards of the finest tulle and lace to recreate my very own Parisian inspired tutu back in Derbyshire! You’ll just have to wait for next week’s blog for a sneak peek!
While on my shopping trip, I stumbled upon a little boutique owned by the most delightful lady called Madame Madeleine. Now, this woman was an expert in fabrics, especially in those stunning hand-crafted fabrics used in ballets! We had the most wonderful chat about everything from tulle and silk, to the origins of the tutus and the story of ballet in the city. She shared with me how her grandmother used to help create those beautiful tulle tutus. The amount of skill and patience required to craft them with such perfection, my darlings, it truly is a labor of love!
To get you in the spirit of ballet history and the delicate fabrics and designs, here are a few of the highlights that I observed in the wonderful ballet performances in 1920!
The evolution of the tutu: Back then, the "Romantic Tutu," with its flowing, multi-layered tulle skirts, was starting to give way to the “Tutu à la Russe,” also known as the “Tutu à la Pétale” because it was quite similar to a flower petal. The skirts were still long but less puffy, with a flat layer of tulle and fewer flounces. I must say, my heart still melts for the graceful layers of the Romantic Tutu – they are like clouds, ethereal and dreamy! They were definitely still around at this time, particularly for pieces with romantic or ethereal themes.
Costume Inspiration: Oh, how the Ballets Russes loved to borrow inspiration from the rich art and traditions of various cultures! Ballet costumes became a beautiful blend of ballet techniques and these exciting cultural elements. Imagine the bold and vibrant colours and dazzling costumes used in pieces like “Le Coq d'Or.”
New Ballet Stars Emerging: This time period also saw a rise in ballet stars! Talented dancers like Vaslav Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova graced the stage with incredible grace and athleticism, changing the world of ballet forever! It was absolutely amazing to see how the ballets were showcasing such talented dancers with incredible feats of grace, leaps, and spins, making them some of the most renowned ballerinas of all time. You can just picture these incredible talents twirling their way through beautiful and complex choreography!
So there you have it, my lovely tutu enthusiasts, a little glimpse into the wondrous world of Parisian ballet in the glorious 1920s. It was a time of great change, exploration and innovative movements, and the world of ballet truly felt alive and blooming with possibility!
Let's raise our pink tutus, darling dancers, for the timeless beauty and wonder of ballet and the beautiful artistry that has captured our imaginations throughout history. Remember, every single tutu tells a story.
Until next week, darling dancers!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and catch up on all the past #TutuTuesday posts! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for those delicious tutu photos and vintage fashion finds on my socials too – #EmmaTheTutuTimeTraveller!
