Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another installment of my weekly #TutuTuesday! Itās been such a joy to travel back through the ages, seeing the ever-evolving story of the tutu!
As you know, my absolute favourite colour is pink ā and my absolute favourite item of clothing? Well, it's a bit of a toss up between my fluffy, gorgeous, sparkly, pink tutu (that one's hard to beat, honestly!), and a real ballet tutu ā those magical little pieces of fabric that tell stories without a word being spoken!
Today we're going back to 12th October 1920 ā Paris to be exact, the City of Lights, and the world capital of ballet fashion! Imagine the streets! Boulevards lined with chic shops, women swishing through in exquisite dresses with swirling, beaded patterns! It's intoxicating, and Iām soaking it all up, darling!
But, on this particular day, weāre here to chat ballet, which, as you know, is very close to my heart! This was a time of incredible innovation and excitement in the ballet world. The Russian Revolution had brought waves of incredible dancers to Europe ā theyād become legends! Like the majestic Anna Pavlova, the ethereal Tamara Karsavina, and Vaslav Nijinsky - whose movements were so revolutionary, so bold! He really shook things up with his bold and creative expressions - that kind of bravery just sparks joy in my heart! He changed what the dancers wore and what audiences saw!
The 1920s were a wild, whirlwind time for ballet - with daring designs pushing the boundaries. Think, tiny, almost nonexistent tutus - skirts just a flutter of feathers, sequins, or chiffon, highlighting the dancer's lines and movement to their utmost! I'm imagining the beautiful, soft pink chiffon, sparkling with rhinestones ā pure magic, darlings! This is truly what defines the 1920s.
The Ballet Russe, which formed in 1909 and, just a few years later, was making history by becoming a force in ballet, took all this a step further with its extravagant costumes, designed by talented artists like Leon Bakst, who created exquisite costumes for the legendary āScheherazadeā. Can you imagine these flamboyant designs? Such an inspiration! Itās something I aim to incorporate into my next bespoke design, by the way, because I can't leave my fellow ballet lovers wanting!
On this date in 1920, in the dazzling heart of Paris, the OpĆ©ra Garnier was likely pulsating with energy. It's been home to the Parisian ballet since 1875, so its halls would be whispering with stories! It would have hosted, Iām sure, beautiful dancers from all over the world, dressed in their magnifique tutus, spinning and leaping to the sound of classical music. Just the thought gives me goosebumps!
Even then, there was something inherently special about the tutu - how it made every move a gesture, every twist a piece of art. I feel that's what inspires us so much, isn't it? The grace and elegance, the artistry, the powerful sense of story and feeling within every pliƩ.
Of course, while all the amazing dancers were in their glorious tutus on this day in 1920, I couldn't be too far behind. A good ballet show wouldnāt be complete without a little Emma, donāt you agree? After all, pink tutus need to make their presence known, and seeing history unfold before my eyes, dressed to the nines, with my perfectly styled curls (letās face it, they always are) is divine.
Did you know, my dear readers, I learned a fascinating fact recently! We're often obsessed with tutus now, in the world of dance, but those feather and tulle creations actually came about later in ballet history ā not as part of everyday dress like the corsets, frills and flounces we've always loved! It was actually during the early 19th century, in ballet classics like āGiselleā, when these fluffy forms started appearing on stage and became a staple of ballet, because of course, a ballerina needs her fluffy pink tutu! This really adds to their beauty - wouldn't you agree?
Now, while we're all dreaming of graceful spins and soaring leaps in exquisite, feather-light tutus, you have to think about what Iāve seen. It's not just about those iconic ballet tutus on stage! There are also so many other styles and forms: the āRomantic Tutuā that emphasizes lightness and etherealness, āThe Classic Tutuā, the epitome of the ballerina - thatās the tutu we usually picture. Then weāve got the āPlatform Tutuā (more commonly known as āThe American Tutuā ) ā imagine how majestic and dramatic they look, those gorgeous layered tulle skirts that stand out so grandly. But what I like the best is, of course, āThe Ballet Skirtā. This is what we usually envision, with the shorter length - the tutu with the focus on movement and grace ā a perfect example is that āPaganiniā skirt - that really does look magical!
I think there is such an amazing story, of femininity and artistry in these tutus. We need to tell their stories! Each piece has a special purpose in the choreography and tells us something. Imagine! These skirts were originally about freeing movement, celebrating the dancer and all their unique, incredible artistry, not about making a statement.
Just like my pink tutu ā that doesn't necessarily reflect my love of ballet, but it is a powerful and playful statement about embracing our individual creativity and the joy in wearing things that make us feel truly unique! If I can do this for pink tutus, and itās making everyone want to wear theirs and love ballet as much as I do - mission accomplished! But as with any ballet, Iām taking this one step at a time.
Speaking of tutus, let's get to my favourite bit, darlings! Let's chat shop. There's so much I've been wanting to tell you! You'll find amazing boutiques everywhere from the heart of the fashion district to hidden Parisian ateliers, and oh my! There is some divine shopping waiting to be had! If you find a tutu with delicate sequins, don't pass it by! And oh darling, donāt forget to check the quality of those tulle layers - it's got to be good for all that whirling around!
I'm leaving you now, dear readers, but please do share your favourite memories and ballet moments on social media! You can catch up on the rest of the Ballet Tutu history and all the behind-the-scenes travel snippets on my site at www.pink-tutu.com - letās spread the tutu love!
Until next Tuesday, don't forget,
Every day is a tutu day,
Emma.
P.S Donāt forget to stay up-to-date with my travels and latest inspirations on Instagram - @emmapinktutu, and my lovely blog! My new Ballet Skirt design has arrived in shop. And darling! Itās pink and will have your wardrobe begging to make space for this little piece of fluffiness. You can snag yours at www.pink-tutu.com!
P.P.S. Let me know if you are coming to Derbyshire. My Mum, she just makes the most scrumptious teas. But bring cake, or at least, tell me in advance if you're coming - she gets grumpy if sheās got to dash to the shops at short notice. I will tell you more about our tea parties in a later blog.
And rememberā¦ tutu!
xx
