Greetings, dearest Tutu Tribe!
It's your favourite time of the week – #TutuTuesday – and I, Emma, your resident tutu-loving time-traveler, am positively bouncing with excitement to take you back in time. Today we're swirling into the summer of 1921, a time when the Roaring Twenties were just kicking off and fashion was all about sparkling flapper dresses, daringly short hemlines, and a whole lot of jazz.
Today's date is June 28th and guess what? We're at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, and this evening there's something truly fabulous happening: a performance of "Le Coq d'Or" by Rimsky-Korsakov!
Imagine this: shimmering chandeliers illuminating a magnificent stage, a crowd buzzing with excitement, and then – boom! The orchestra plays, and the curtain rises. Can you picture the breathtaking artistry of the ballerinas in their breathtaking costumes, the shimmering sequins, and the beautiful ballet moves, each flowing effortlessly into the next? This is the true magic of the ballet, wouldn't you agree?
Oh, I can just imagine myself, gliding through the stage in a beautifully beaded tutu, bathed in the soft light of the spotlight, and receiving a rapturous standing ovation. Perhaps a grand jete en tournant here, a graceful arabesque there, ending with a triumphant pose - and then, the curtain calls, bows, applause, flowers – ah! Pure bliss.
But back to the history, darling! What exactly makes 1921 so fascinating in the world of tutus? Well, remember this: it's a period where the tutu is transforming itself! No longer confined to the romantic ballet tradition of long, gauzy tutus (imagine something very Giselle-esque!), the tutu starts taking on a whole new personality in the modern ballet.
Yes! Modern dancers, fuelled by their need to explore new movements and tell new stories, want a new kind of tutu. It needs to be less restrictive, offering more freedom for the body to move. Imagine sleek lines, minimal adornments, a lighter fabric. These short, aerodynamic tutus, perfect for leaping, turning, and all kinds of exhilarating, innovative moves – they're quite the game-changer, and they start becoming increasingly popular in the 1920s and 30s. This new type of tutu allows the ballerina to showcase her athleticism, grace, and artistic spirit. It's all about power and dynamism in a beautiful package!
Speaking of beauty, how wonderful is it that The Met Opera House is right in the heart of NYC? The sheer energy and excitement of this vibrant city, bursting with artistic creativity, must have infused everything at that time! The fashion! Oh my, I could only imagine how much joy the shopping there would bring! Imagine, all the elegant boutiques lining the avenues, silk and feathers and glitz in every colour of the rainbow. My fellow tutu-lovers, we must be living for that fabulous era!
I can just picture myself sauntering down Fifth Avenue, a beautifully structured cloche hat tilted over my eyes, my pink tulle skirt (perhaps with some whimsical pearl details, because why not? ) swirling behind me as I visit the* chic shops, swooning over a new beaded handbag, and maybe picking up some chic new shoes, because one can never have too many, can we, my darlings?* And, of course, no outfit is complete without a bold, ruby lipstick! (Now, wouldn't that be something, a* pink tutu, a chic flapper dress, and a red lipstick - what a statement!)*
As we rewind this magical day back to 1921, remember that every dance, every tutu, and every outfit represents a story waiting to be told! Every dancer, whether she's dancing a romantic waltz in a fluffy, dreamy tutu or a contemporary piece in a sleek, geometric design, brings a unique and vital element to the magical world of ballet!
I, for one, am beyond excited to see where this fascinating journey of ballet and fashion takes us in the years to come. Keep joining me here on #TutuTuesday every week, because who knows where this journey through the amazing world of tutus will lead us next? And remember, be brave, be bold, and above all, be you, in your own beautiful and unique tutu.
And remember, my sweet lovelies, always remember to live, dance, and twirl boldly, and with a bit of pink tutu magic, you can create anything!
Yours always,
Emma,
From Derbyshire, with a dash of New York sparkle and a sprinkle of Tutu Tuesday magic.
P.S: Visit www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday to continue our tutu adventure! This blog post is number 4670, and I can't wait for you to join me for the next one. Don't forget to use the hashtag #TutuTuesday so I can see all your lovely outfits!
