Bonjour, darlings!
Emma here, your resident tutu-loving time traveller, reporting live from the vibrant, oh-so-fashionable streets of Paris! It's a beautiful spring day and I’m twirling in my divine pink tulle masterpiece (and yes, that's my favourite pink!) whilst dreaming of the fabulous fashion history I’m about to uncover. Today's journey takes us to 17th May 1921 – a date ripe with elegant artistry and whispers of a fashion revolution!
Now, buckle your ballet shoes, ladies, for this is a real treat!
It's a Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday and you know what that means...we're delving into the delightful world of tutus! We're talking layers upon layers of billowing tulle, shimmering silk, and a symphony of movement that will make you swoon!
1921! Ooh la la! This was the era of the flapper and all things wonderfully freeing in fashion! Think flapper dresses, drop waists, bobbed hairstyles... all incredibly exciting. It was the height of the Art Deco movement too, and that geometric, symmetrical style, with all its geometric, black-and-white design elements, gave ballet its distinctive and utterly chic flair.
But back to the tutus! The early 20th century saw a rise in a certain trend – the shorter tutu. And just as we love a mini skirt these days, those daring ballet dancers (yes, those revolutionary ladies!) were making a statement with their hems! Now, these weren't quite as short as they would become, but ahem! think a few inches higher than they'd previously been. Can you imagine, a few extra inches of elegant, bare legs - *revolutionary! *
And then there's the fabric. Think of lighter, airier tulles than the more heavy, traditionally classical ones of the past. It's all about the flutter and whirl of movement in this new, modern age. Ballet was, to put it lightly, undergoing a transformation, and so were its tutus. Just think how these fashion-forward ballet beauties were breaking down traditional ballet rules with their dare-to-bare attitude.
Now, this was all a big change, ladies. And just imagine, the world of fashion, ballet and even everyday style were all moving and twirling along in time! It was as though these fashion trailblazers were saying: “Look at us! We are strong, free and we are loving every minute of it!" I feel a twirl coming on, darlings, but let's rewind to my present!
Speaking of revolutionary and free, this era saw some phenomenal ballet creations, some of which we can still enjoy today! Did you know, the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova had a solo piece dedicated to her – a balletic tribute, one could say, to her incredible talent.
And that, ladies, is exactly why I love ballet history! Every move, every dance, every tutu tells a story - and what an exciting one it is!
I'm already so excited for what the rest of this day has in store – and who knows what fashionable treasures I might uncover! A delightful Parisian bakery perhaps, where they bake a *tutu shaped * strawberry tart *especially for me!
But in the meantime, don’t forget to share your tutu adventures with us!
Until next #TutuTuesday...
*Remember, everyone can wear a pink tutu. Don't forget to share your tutu adventures using #TutuTuesday! Visit me on my website at www.pink-tutu.com. *
Love, Emma xoxo
P.S. Let's continue this magical journey together and I can't wait to share my ballet stories with you next week! Keep a close eye on www.pink-tutu.com !
Footnotes:
Anna Pavlova, was a famous ballet dancer in 1921, she was Russian but living in London in the 1920s, her tutu would have had the typical shorter hems and more lightweight fabric styles of this time.
