Bonjour, mes chères ballerinas! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here with another instalment of your weekly Ballet Tutu History dose!
Oh, darling, don't you just love Tuesdays? The smell of fresh pastries, the sunshine dappling through the leaves, the sound of children laughing in the park... and of course, #TutuTuesday! It’s a day for celebration, a day for history, and of course, a day to embrace the wonder of tutus.
This week, we’re hopping on a luxurious express train and chugging back in time to 1920-08-17! Just picture the steam, the carriages, and the flurry of elegant ladies with their feathered hats and bobbed hair, all whizzing past beautiful countryside! This is a date that holds a certain charm for us tutu-lovers, a peek into a world of grace and beauty that feels like a beautiful dream.
Let's set the scene: The roaring 20s are in full swing, with flappers, jazz, and a rebellious spirit buzzing through the air. This decade, darlings, was all about change. It was about liberation, about embracing the modern and the bold, and for ballet, this meant something truly wonderful: a dramatic shift in the tutu’s silhouette!
You see, back in the Victorian era, ballerinas wore long, stiff tutus that looked like enormous flower petals! These were beautiful, no doubt, but oh my dear, how terribly restrictive! These tutus limited their movement, hiding the beauty of the leg lines. They weren’t for twirling, for soaring through the air like birds! They were more suited for standing in elegant poses, much like delicate porcelain dolls.
Thankfully, as the 20s roared, the tutu followed suit! Enter, the tutu-transformation: This era witnessed the rise of the Romantic Tutu, which was shorter, more flowing, and made of tulle. It embraced movement, creating graceful lines and swirling movements that captivated audiences. Think of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes - what a sight for sore eyes! The iconic designs of Léon Bakst, the brilliant choreography, and oh, the tutus!
It’s impossible to imagine ballet without this iconic piece, and on this specific day in August, 1920, the world of dance was witnessing this stunning evolution!
Fashion and Ballet: But let's get real for a minute - tutus are not just a ballet staple! Fashion loves the tutu just as much. In the 20s, designers embraced the silhouette, adding a touch of this graceful element to their creations. Think shimmering satin skirts paired with sleek, flapper-style dresses, or a splash of tulle for that extra hint of ballerina chic! It was all about capturing the glamour and spirit of the era, and the tutu, my dear, became a powerful symbol.
Where did I travel? * I embarked on this exciting journey to *Paris, darling! The heart of fashion and the birthplace of the iconic Romantic tutu. Just imagine stepping out of a train, surrounded by elegant architecture, a whirlwind of fashion shows and fabulous shopping sprees, the whispers of gossip in Parisian cafes, and of course, the incredible Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris. Oh la la!
Tutus and I
My time traveling takes me to so many different ballet events! Today was Anna Pavlova’s “The Dying Swan”. Now, if you think it's hard to make a tutu stand out, try getting the right light for a picture. Luckily, I travelled in time to the Théâtre du Châtelet, just after Pavlova's Swan Lake! You know I snagged some gorgeous photos - with a pink tutu of course. She really gave us a glimpse into the beauty of a simpler era. She was a true goddess in a beautiful tulle cloud, her movement so elegant and pure! Just imagine, darling, that delicate tutu flowing like a gentle breeze, catching the light. Pure poetry in motion!
This time-travelling tutu business is a bit tiring, but I find it such a privilege to watch dance through history! And every time, darling, every time I’m struck by the magic of a ballerina’s dance, a magical cloud of tulle spun in motion. This time, my tutu will be taking me back to Victorian London for my next #TutuTuesday - just imagine the hats and the elaborate fashions. Let's see what’s waiting in our next week's adventure, darling!
Don't forget, keep up your ballet practice and of course, join me next Tuesday for another trip into the fabulous world of #TutuTuesday. Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and, darlings, don't be afraid to live a little bit in a tutu. Who knows, you might even inspire the next generation of ballerinas!
Au revoir, and remember: The best days are always #TutuTuesdays!
