Tutu Tuesday #4700: Twirling Back to 1922! 🩰💖
Hello my darling dance devotees! It’s Emma here, back from another thrilling trip through time, this time landing right in the heart of 1922! Oh, the fashions! The flapper dresses! And, of course, the incredible world of ballet!
This week's #TutuTuesday is a special one, as I'm taking us back to a time when the world of ballet was undergoing some pretty exciting changes. Now, don't think for a moment that I'm about to forget my favourite topic: tutus! But today, we're not just focusing on the glitzy, glamorous tutus we see in the modern ballets, we're stepping into a world where ballet was evolving and the way we understand the tutu was being rewritten!
My time machine dropped me straight into the bustling heart of London, a city buzzing with creativity, fashion, and a passion for performance that was just starting to simmer. Ballet was enjoying a real renaissance in Britain, with companies like the Royal Opera House blossoming into the powerhouses they are today. This period in ballet history is really exciting! It's a time of exploration, of breaking free from tradition, and bringing in new ways to move and to dance.
Just imagine, I got to watch the most glorious performance of "The Sleeping Beauty"! The costumes were breathtaking. This time period marked a move towards something called "Romantic Ballet." The dresses? Think delicate, swirling fabrics, just like clouds floating on a summer breeze. The tutus, now oh so important to me, were starting to evolve from the more elaborate and heavier style of the earlier romantic era to a much lighter and airy design. They were almost ethereal, like wisps of silk dancing in the moonlight. But, they weren’t quite my “pink-tutu” just yet. Oh, how I wish I could have taken a little time machine journey with me!
Speaking of The Sleeping Beauty, 1922 was a monumental year for ballet. The Royal Opera House (a haven for tutu lovers and pink-tutu dreamers) held a special performance of the show, one of their most beloved! The dance itself was something truly spectacular. You know, it's not just the costumes that make these performances so captivating. It's the story, the music, the talent. Ballet was starting to become accessible to people of all social classes, bringing its magic to a wider audience and giving even more people the chance to get lost in the wonders of this art form.
Just like any fashionista on the move, I made sure I did some shopping during my trip! You see, I was mesmerized by the shop windows and their glamorous display of elegant evening wear, dresses, shoes and everything else a true lady could wish for. It was clear the ladies in the 1920s had their own way with fashion, all about comfort and flowing silhouettes! I picked up the most beautiful, feather-boa trimmed scarf to make a dazzling impression. Imagine a tutu girl, decked out in a gorgeous feathered scarf! Now, there's an idea for my next costume.
However, not all was fancy-free about London's scene. The fashion, so full of new styles and exciting developments, wasn't entirely comfortable to some. While it looked so glamorous, there were concerns about “the morality of women's new attire," meaning people weren't sure about these changes! But the trend of ladies' new, shorter, revealing hemlines became even more popular. This move away from heavy skirts and corsets reflected a more independent, more modern view of womanhood and brought new styles in its wake! It was such an exciting time of change for everyone in Britain! It seems like there's never been a time when people aren’t arguing over hemlines and fashion in London. Just a small little fashion difference between then and now. 😉
Now, before I whisk you away, I'm reminded about one more important thing to remember. This trip wasn’t just about tutus, and even though they might be my absolute favourite piece of clothing, 1922 was also a big year for another iconic item of ballet-wear - the pointe shoe! I mean, think about it: this humble piece of footwear allowed ballerinas to gracefully dance on their toes, enhancing the beauty of ballet and giving ballerinas the opportunity to express themselves in ways they never could have imagined. They were still very new when I travelled to 1922. That was really fascinating.
Anyway, I've been carried away with this week’s trip again, and I must go, darling dears, before I miss the next train back to my own time! Don’t forget to wear your pink tutu next time you head out to the ballet! As always, I’d love to see you dancing around town and wearing those beautiful, fluffy pink tutus!
Keep spreading the love and joy of ballet,
Love, Emma
xx
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #Fashion #PinkTutu #TimeTravel #1920s #London #BalletLife