Bonjour, darlings! Emma here, your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, back again from another whirl through the annals of ballet history! As you know, Tuesday's are dedicated to all things tutu here at www.pink-tutu.com, so let's dust off our slippers and get ready for a journey back to...wait for it... July 20th, 1920!
Today, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, we are taking a giant leap (or a graceful plié?) forward, to a time when fashion and dance were undergoing a beautiful revolution! In the era of the flapper girl and bobbed hair, the traditional, romantic tutu was feeling a bit, well, old-fashioned! It needed a change. A change that would bring the elegant art of ballet into the spotlight of modern society.
Iâm whisked away to the Theatre des Champs-ElysĂ©es in Paris, darling. Think glorious chandeliers, buzzing with energy, the scent of expensive perfume and, of course, the elegant clinking of champagne flutes. It's like a scene straight out of a glittering movie, just without the pesky paparazzi!
My heart beats faster as I settle into a plush seat, my eyes catching the gleam of the stage under the soft lights. I've travelled back to witness the Paris premiere of the Russian Ballet. This group is turning heads everywhere they go - their breathtaking skill and avant-garde styles have captured the imaginations of all of Europe, and tonight they are showing us their latest creation: Le Sacre du Printemps.
Oh, darling! This is a performance like no other. The choreography is daring, full of jarring angularity and powerful, primal energy! Imagine whirling, contorted figures dressed in stark geometric costumes, a far cry from the flowing chiffon and silken tulle we are used to!
This brings us to our key moment - the reveal of the "new" tutu! While the traditional tutu may have held the title for elegant grandad-like presence in ballet, this one is quite revolutionary. It's daring, itâs short - a far cry from the long, voluminous skirts of the past - itâs quite, dare I say, sexy for its time! A shocking short, but wonderfully chic piece that allows the dancers an almost athletic fluidity.
Think of it as the âlittle black dressâ of the dance world, darling! And trust me, it creates an absolute sensation, both in the Parisian dance world and on the street! It allows the audience to focus on every intricate turn and movement of the dancerâs legs, drawing the eye up to their incredible skills, all the while reflecting a vibrant, modern edge to the world of dance.
Think about it, ladies: Itâs almost as if these dancers were saying, âLook at us, our strength, our control, our incredible talent - see our art and beauty, because thatâs all we need.â
Thatâs not to say I don't miss the beauty of the full skirt! We can always admire both sides of the tutu, wouldn't you say? The new style embraced a revolutionary new style of ballet.
I spent the afternoon after the premiere diving into the vintage shops around the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es, a tutu in one hand, a beautifully patterned vintage blouse in the other! Oh, I found the most divine satin and velvet, I had to bring it back for my own special collection, which I shall, of course, show you next Tuesday, darlings!
So remember, my darlings, as you whirl and pirouette around, imagine that elegant little skirt, and think of those fearless Russian ballerinas pushing boundaries, just like you can push yours, in the world of dance! After all, it's only by being bold and pushing those limits that we can find new and exciting ways to express our own individual dance-loving magic!
Until next time, darling, keep twirling!
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
