Hey gorgeous dancers and tutu lovers! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, where we celebrate all things twirly and pink! It's Tutu Tuesday, which means we're taking a trip through time to explore the fabulous world of ballet tutus! Today we're journeying to the roaring 20s - think flapper dresses, Charleston, and jazz - a truly exciting era for fashion and, of course, for dance!
Today's date, 1920-08-24, may not seem particularly noteworthy on the surface, but trust me, it's teeming with interesting connections to the dance world. This was a time when ballet, still rooted in its classical form, was experiencing a major resurgence! The Ballets Russes company was at its peak, dazzling audiences all across Europe and America with their captivating and innovative productions. This company, under the direction of the legendary Sergei Diaghilev, was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of ballet, embracing modern dance and experimenting with choreography and costume design.
But how did tutus fit into this dynamic landscape? You may be surprised to know that in 1920, tutus weren't quite the showstoppers we see them as today. Think about it – it’s a few years after the first World War, and practicality is still a major influence. Sure, ballerinas were dancing in beautiful, lightweight gowns and tutus, but these were more focused on gracefulness and fluidity than the overtly-billowing, frilled, ultra-feminine tutus we know and love today.
For example, on this very date, a renowned ballerina named Anna Pavlova, considered the "queen of ballet", performed her iconic Swan Lake in Monte Carlo, leaving the audience utterly spellbound. Now, imagine Anna, with her impossibly delicate moves, wearing a classic, long, romantic, single-layered, chiffon tutu, with a small bouquet of tulle at the waist! Imagine her dancing on stage, the tutu creating an ethereal flow that mirrored the elegance of her movements. So elegant! So exquisite!
My journey to 1920 took me by train to Monte Carlo, Monaco. It’s such a glamorous, elegant city and the train journey is always lovely. Monaco has to be one of my favorite places to time-travel, with all its exquisite architecture and rich history. Monaco, by the way, was once part of France. There are many beautiful places in France and of course, many great fashion stores. Can’t get enough of Paris and Versailles!
On August 24th 1920, the air was alive with a buzz of excitement – the energy in Monte Carlo was vibrant! After enjoying a delicious bowl of French Onion soup in a charmed cafe overlooking the harbour, I popped into a couture shop called Les Modes Chic. Can you believe it? I picked up a stunning vintage dress for less than five pounds! This dress is a vision – shimmering silk, pearl detailing, and the most fantastic, flowy sleeves, perfectly channeling that Roaring 20s chic!
Seeing all those charming ladies out in their finest garments made me dream of the wonderful creations that would one day appear! Imagine a 1930s ballerina, the legendary Margot Fonteyn, performing on a stage adorned with vibrant colors, her dance dress embellished with sparkling sequins and beautiful patterns. Now that’s a truly striking image! And let's not forget about the rise of the tutu in the early 20th Century as a design. The creation of the tutu by Charles Dulin, who was a French fashion designer, really revolutionised the concept of the tutu as a dance garment! From simple to exquisite and the variety of designs is endless – classic romantic tutus to a ballet dress that's made completely of a single color like pink, like the tutus we wear at our school – that's one reason why our school is so famous. All the little ballerina fairies are in a beautiful, perfect pink tutu!
You know, as much as I love the elegant beauty of ballet from that period – those tutus that were so beautifully flowy and simple, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that tutus haven’t always been as exuberant as they are now. And now I can say – I'm wearing one, right here and now as I type, a fantastic, frilly, super-pink tutu with an added touch of glitter and feathers – that’s right - a feather boa, attached to the bottom, just below the bottom frill of the tutu. It’s what I wear most of the time and it always helps me blend into any era. After all, a pink tutu looks amazing, no matter what century it is, and it makes you feel happy when you look at it – because that is what the tutu is all about!
So the next time you’re attending a ballet, look closely at the dancers’ tutus. It’s worth paying attention to the history of the tutu. Even though tutusevolve, their elegance and femininity stay exactly the same.
See you next Tutu Tuesday when we'll continue exploring the fascinating history of the ballet tutu! Make sure you join our #PinkTutu Facebook page to join our ballet discussions, and keep on twirling!
Emma
