Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my darling tutu-lovers!
It's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time to take a twirl back through time and explore the captivating world of ballet tutus! This week, we're travelling to the enchanting year of 1922, and let me tell you, darling, fashion was simply bursting with glamour!
Now, my dears, 1922 is a particularly fascinating time in ballet history. The world was still reeling from the aftermath of the Great War, but even in the face of hardship, the beauty and grace of ballet were still shining bright. And, just like today, ballet was inspiring all sorts of incredible fashion trends.
Now, Picture This: You're waltzing into a lavish Parisian theatre in your exquisitely tailored, pearl-adorned gown, your "bob" hairstyle looking impossibly chic. But look around you - the real stars are the ballerinas, twirling in their flowing, exquisitely-detailed costumes, often adorned with a scattering of delicate feathers and dazzling sequins! Can you imagine, darling?
It’s simply a feast for the eyes, with a whole orchestra accompanying each graceful gesture and delicate jump. It is magical and just a tad bit decadent! It’s almost as if everything is just made for the beautiful dancers to move within - like ethereal creatures dancing under a spell of beauty.
The Romantic Tutus of 1922
Now, whilst we can't quite say that ballet tutus of 1922 looked anything like the lovely, lightweight tutus that we have today - although they were starting to get a bit more wispy, the main thing to remember about tutus at this time, is that they were much, much longer - down to the knees or even the ankles - so nothing at all like what we see the ballerinas wearing now - all those fantastic, daring high kicks would simply not be possible! They were very elaborate too, made from layers upon layers of tulle, and usually with several tiers and flounces.
But oh my, the artistry and details put into these designs back then! - delicate embroideries, dazzling swarovski crystals and even a few carefully placed hand-sewn feathers – each tutu a true work of art, created with passion and the most exquisite care. They must have shimmered and shone under the stage lights! I simply can't help myself from wondering, darling - wouldn't you just love to get your hands on some of those amazing designs to create a few truly show-stopping tutus?
Taking It To the Street:
Of course, in true Parisian style, ballet’s influence went beyond the stage and into the street. 1922 was a pivotal moment in the development of fashion, with designers and fashion houses embracing new ideas of freedom and elegance, much like the dance on the stage!
This was a decade for the flapper girl - all feather boas, knee length skirts and dazzling dropped waists - all the lovely influences of those delicate tulle dances in those grand theatre settings! Those swirling tutu movements even found their way into clothing, making everyday fashion feel much more daring, sensual and exciting - just like our darling dancers themselves!
So Many Tutuses to Choose From, Darling!
Remember my lovelies, each tutu had its own story to tell - from the iconic romantic tutu of the 19th Century - made for ballets like Giselle and Swan Lake - which still plays on stage today (always my favourite to wear myself!), right up to the dramatic tutu which first debuted in 1900 in Le Cygne - created with those iconic wings for ballerinas to use in those wonderful dance sequences! There is a perfect tutu out there for each dance!
And don't even get me started, darling, on the different colours!
There are simply too many to list! We have a kaleidoscope of colors to choose from - classic black, timeless white, oh-so-lovely shades of blue - for the dramatic ballerinas who never miss the opportunity to stand out - the ethereal pale ivory for those romantic dance stories - or those wonderful, breathtaking sparkling gold and silver tutus! It simply takes my breath away - how beautiful are the tutus that we are lucky enough to be surrounded by today?
The Next Generation of Tutues:
And darling, we mustn't forget about the tutus of today! The tutus of the 21st century, especially since those spectacular dance performances that became so famous around the time of 2000 - all those beautiful pointe shoes (the kind I prefer the most!) with beautiful lines that make the graceful moves seem like effortless magic - are as fantastic as any of the tutus that were ever designed. I’d love to take my readers into that world of today, as it has got a special tutu for every performance, but it would take several pages to even get started.
Now, it is important for us to know the history of our tutus! To look back at where they began, to remember where they have come from!
Pink Tutues All Round
I love it when I find those amazing old photographs and film reels that show those amazing tutus from the early decades of the last century and watch how they dance! They look incredible and it is important for me to share those beautiful pictures with my readers so that they can admire the history and heritage of those lovely tutus, my loves!
My favourite place to see an example of these is, of course, the Royal Ballet in London. Their archives are a real treat - with examples of those wonderful 19th-century tutu styles and I love nothing more than making a trip into the City just for a lovely afternoon seeing these historical delights and finding those early, exquisite drawings of ballet design and ballet tutus. I am going to make the most of my trip with a visit to one of my favourite little ballet boutiques while I’m there to buy one of their beautiful tulle scarves - they are always divine! - and a new set of shoes that will match my most loved pink tulle. Perhaps I’ll treat myself to some delectable pink-tinged, feather-topped macaroons while I’m in the West End, too. After all, a visit to the Royal Ballet deserves such special treats, darling, and this will inspire a wonderful blog post about the ballet-style boutiques and cafes in London next week - it’s a subject I’m always happy to chat about, darling, because there are so many fantastic things to discover.
Travels To Share
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tutu Tuesday if I hadn’t gone off to see something to inspire me, right? So, my lovelies, I packed up my special Pink Tutu Suitcase - a gorgeous shade of pink (with an elegant embroidered pink tutu - oh my, how chic) - with enough room for all those essential ballet necessities! I have an absolutely fabulous sparkly pink hat too - you know I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing anything less elegant - I'm not the sort of girl to go travelling in anything but pink!
And this week? This week darling, I’ve been whisked off to Paris on my latest trip, my beautiful tutu in tow, to the gorgeous Opéra Garnier to see a beautiful rendition of La Bayadere! I simply loved it - I could have just stood there and watched those lovely, twirling ballerinas forever. Their amazing skills had me mesmerized and when the lovely ballerinas bowed - what style! - they truly reminded me of a flocks of white swans. That is just my type of elegance, my loves! I love that the ballet is a magical art form that continues to inspire me.
Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you my loves, my tutu adventure continued on to one of the famous ballet shops in Paris - it was the most lovely place, so chic - just to peek in on the new designs, take photos and just enjoy being amongst the best of the best! It is a fantastic thing, to feel that even those new tutu designs still remember the magic of their historical past - even when making new tutus - it gives you a chance to admire how this art is being preserved as a beautiful way to celebrate tradition, to enjoy the grace and movement - just like a time traveler from a far, far distant future would enjoy.
Next week, darlings, we will look at an event that really helped shape the world of the ballerina! And I'll be showing you my lovely favourite places to shop in London that give those classic, elegant tutu vibes - so don’t miss out!
Until next week, darling, take care of yourselves! Have a wonderful time - make every day an adventure in the wonderful world of tutus!
Yours ever so sincerely,
Emma
xx
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