#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1921-09-06

Bonjour, darlings! It’s Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and it’s #TutuTuesday once again! Today, we’re whizzing back to September 6th, 1921, a time when fashion was oh-so-dramatic, and the dance world was abuzz with new styles and ideas.

Oh, it's simply lovely to be in Paris today! It's such a haven for lovers of dance and all things frilly. The streets are filled with elegant ladies sporting the latest designs, and every corner whispers of art and elegance. I just had to snag the most divine little dress - it's the colour of spun sugar and has enough ruffles to make a peacock blush! Speaking of which, just a little bird told me that Diaghilev's Ballets Russes is performing at the Theatre Champs-Elysées this week. I simply must try and snag a ticket, wouldn’t you say? Imagine, witnessing history in the making, oh, it simply makes my tutu flutter!

But let’s dive back into the world of ballet, my loves! Now, the year 1921 is a special one for the evolution of the tutu. Remember those romantic, floor-length tutus, the ones swishing around in grand ballets like ‘Giselle’? They’re still all the rage, but a new type of tutu is starting to make waves – the "shortened tutu"!

Yes, you heard right! We’re talking about the tutu we know and love today, the one that hits right above the knee. Imagine, a whole new freedom for movement, an opportunity for even more breathtaking jumps and leaps! Now, while it wasn’t quite a fashion explosion yet, these shorter tutus were definitely turning heads and starting to change the face of ballet, especially with the innovative work of dancers like Tamara Karsavina.

Think of it like the shift from long flowing gowns to the iconic flapper dresses! It's the same sort of rebellious and modern feel, just in a whole lot more pink, if you ask me!

I have to say, though, here in Paris, it’s still very much a “the longer, the better” situation, particularly at the Opera House. These long tutus are simply dripping with extravagance, every stitch a symphony of silk and tulle, and you could just drown in all the ribbons and sequins. But there’s an undercurrent, my dears, a sense of change, like a gentle breeze rustling through the foliage of tradition.

This Parisian ballet scene is fascinating - all these dancers and designers constantly pushing the boundaries, testing the limits of what a tutu can be. And this, my lovelies, is what we'll continue to explore in the weeks to come. We’ll trace this transformation of the tutu, the changes in silhouette and material, and witness how the tutu evolved to become the graceful and elegant masterpiece that we adore today!

This week, it's off to Vienna, darling! Vienna has always had such a special place in my heart. I'm dying to see the Ballet in the State Opera House, and to get lost in the beautiful gardens of Schönbrunn Palace. Just thinking about it has me spinning with anticipation, not to mention all the lovely shops in Vienna, full of the most glorious trinkets and accessories for my next tutu performance.

Do join me, won't you? Each week we’ll explore a different date in tutu history, and together, we'll embark on this magnificent journey of dance and fashion. But first, darling, we have to hop on the train - there’s a whole world of tutu-ific adventures to discover, and they're waiting for us!

Until next #TutuTuesday, keep swirling and keep twirling, my darlings!

Love always,

Emma

Of course, no journey into ballet history is complete without a visit to www.pink-tutu.com! This is our central hub, a veritable palace of tutus and everything you ever needed to know about this beautiful, iconic piece of attire!

We've got photos, fashion tips, insights into history, and even videos for those days when you just can't get enough of the tutus swirling! So don't hesitate, join us on this exciting adventure - the tutus are waiting!

See you next Tuesday, darling!