Bonjour mes amis, and welcome to another #TutuTuesday! I'm your pink-tutu-clad historian, Emma, taking you on a journey through the glamorous world of ballet tutus.
Today, we're whisking ourselves back to 18th October, 1921, a time of roaring twenties glamour and rebellious flapper girls. Imagine cobbled streets lined with charming shops, elegant ladies in fashionable dresses, and gentlemen in smart suits. We're here in the heart of Paris, the very epicentre of style and the dance world.
Ah, the 1920s! An era brimming with artistic expression, with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes captivating audiences worldwide. It was a period when ballet went beyond the traditional, embraced modernism, and explored the expressive power of movement like never before.
On this particular day in 1921, audiences would have been enthralled by Igor Stravinsky's musical genius at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Can you imagine, sitting in the plush red velvet seats, mesmerised by the vibrant choreography and captivating music?
What would have been on show? Perhaps "Le Sacre du Printemps," a controversial yet revolutionary piece of balletic history, renowned for its primal energy and unconventional storytelling. Or maybe they were treated to the colourful, playful " Petrushka," a beautiful exploration of the traditional Russian puppet show.
As I mentioned, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes brought a fresh perspective to ballet, a movement towards more abstract storytelling. While tutus weren't completely forgotten, their design changed drastically during the era. Think shortened skirts, showcasing beautiful, lithe legs instead of the full-length, billowing tulle that had dominated earlier periods. Think modernism!
The Ballets Russes company, under Diaghilev's artistic direction, often paired with famous artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Bakst for their stage designs. Imagine the tutus and costumes bathed in vibrant colours, dramatic silhouettes, and innovative fabric choices.
You can almost hear the whispers in the air as dancers, their faces carefully made up with thick, dramatic eyeliner (the flapper trend!), and their figures draped in flowing silks, glide across the stage with poise and precision. Imagine their shoes - pointes for the graceful ballerinas, and soft leather slippers for the male dancers. A symphony of colour, movement, and emotion.
While tutus were getting a little shorter, a lot of thought and creativity still went into them! Ballet and fashion intertwined beautifully in this era. You'd often find ballet dancers rocking the same trendsetting “dropped waistlines” or daring “flapper dresses” that you'd see gracing the Parisian streets. Talk about chic!
It's this seamless connection between fashion and ballet that truly fascinates me. The dancers were considered fashion icons of their day, and their tutus often became statement pieces reflecting the latest trends. And, like every fashionable woman worth her salt, I would happily take my style tips from the ballerinas of the 1920s!
Today, I am taking a fashion inspiration page out of 1920's, as I wear a soft, billowing pink tulle tutu in this short length for the photo of my post! It’s so pretty! I found the best pink tulle to use from an artisan shop while travelling here from Derby to the fashion heart of the world: Paris! The quality is amazing - light and floaty and so perfect to pirouette in, or simply walk the street!
So, I encourage you all to have a good “Twirl Tuesday,” embrace your inner ballerina, and think pink!
Oh, I'm just back from an absolutely spectacular evening at the opera house in the heart of the City of Lights! It's one of the most prestigious ballet companies, showcasing a contemporary ballet piece by George Balanchine that was stunning! It was set to the most moving music and had me transported back to another era with the costumes and dancing style. If you're looking for a taste of Parisian flair and exquisite ballet artistry, this company is a must-see!
And with that, I’m off to explore the fashion markets for more lovely tutus. I’ll share some of the new designs I find next Tuesday. See you all next week!
Until then,
Emma
[A photo of a 20-something year-old girl wearing a pink tutu in Paris]
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