Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another jaunt through time, this time landing in the fabulous year of 1922.
The air crackles with a jazzy energy. Flappers are bobbing and swinging, jazz bands are roaring, and fashion is entering a glorious new era! It's a perfect time to slip into my favourite pink tutu - it matches the rosy blush of a flapper's cheeks and adds a touch of magic to the shimmering twenties!
Now, imagine my excitement when I discovered that August 29th, 1922 is the day the great Sergei Diaghilev, the mastermind behind the world-renowned Ballets Russes, passed away! His influence on ballet is immeasurable. His company was, in my humble opinion, a kaleidoscope of creativity, daring, and just plain dazzling costumes, like, well, tutues! His vision set the stage for the ballet we know and love today. I think he'd have loved my pink tutu – a sprinkle of his glorious theatrical flair!
Today, though, I want to focus on a less flamboyant, more practical type of tutu – the classical ballet tutu, the one that we associate with graceful swans and the delicate whispers of "Giselle". You know the one, the wispy white layers that create that exquisite ballerina silhouette.
This lovely little beauty, however, was actually born about 40 years before our current date – 1881, to be exact, thanks to the brilliant Marius Petipa, who designed the iconic tutu for "La Bayadère". Remember the "Kingdom of Shades"? Sigh That incredible spectacle, full of billowing tutus, mesmerized the world and helped popularize this style!
It's easy to think about ballet and imagine delicate flowers and the fluttering of butterflies, but, as always, behind every lovely dance, there is a long and often-forgotten history. The classical tutu is a perfect example!
From a practical point of view, this new design in 1881 helped change the way ballerinas moved. Petipa made sure those tiers were just so, freeing the dancers' legs to fly across the stage, showcasing elegant movements that would be impossible in heavier gowns. This was groundbreaking, and this new look set the stage for decades of breathtaking ballets! The world of ballet would be forever transformed – and I, as a proud time-traveling ballerina, have a very personal love for it.
But hold your tutus, darlings! Let's hop back in time just a little further. Imagine, dear readers, a time before 1881, before the "Kingdom of Shades", before "Giselle". The ballets in those days were far less concerned with showing off those impossibly elegant legs!
The "classical" ballet tutu, you see, didn’t just suddenly appear on the dance floor like a beautiful butterfly, it evolved, my darlings, from an even older, more voluminous costume! Before Petipa, ballerinas wore large, flowing gowns, which were a challenge, to say the least! You wouldn’t be able to turn your legs without a tumble or catch a curtain. Can you imagine?
Thankfully, history shows us that ballerinas aren't afraid of a challenge. Maria Taglioni, one of the great ballerinas of her time, actually was a big supporter of changing things up. She famously designed costumes that emphasized lighter movement, a bold move for the time! A truly influential trendsetter!
So, while the classical tutu we know and love arrived in 1881, Taglioni's impact was evident. Petipa, inspired by these innovations, decided to ditch the big and clunky for something new and elegant! It was a revolution! Imagine - all these fabulous dancers wearing what were basically petticoats before the world had a classical ballet tutu! They made sacrifices for us all, allowing us to have all those exciting, captivating moments onstage that we enjoy! It was all thanks to those daring pioneers and the power of creativity!
It’s quite interesting to see that throughout time, the design of the tutu has subtly shifted with the evolving style of ballet! From the voluminous skirts to the streamlined silhouette, every change in ballet style was reflected in the shape and design of the tutu. So, each tutu isn’t just an elegant garment, it is a physical, and quite literal, time capsule reflecting history's movements!
We are on a beautiful journey, travelling through the years, following the evolution of the ballet tutu, my darlings! And, I, for one, am thankful for all of those innovative and influential dancers and designers, especially Sergei Diaghilev, who brought a sprinkle of magical creativity to ballet with those glorious tutus!
Oh, darling, you wouldn't believe the shop I stumbled across today! A fashion heaven with rows upon rows of flapper dresses, beaded shawls, and beautiful shoes. All sparkling in the glorious 1920s spirit. Let me tell you, finding that perfect pink outfit was a dream! Oh, how I love fashion in all its decadent glory, and the vintage shops!
You know me, always looking for a splash of color. The perfect way to top off a trip back in time, darling, is by catching a magnificent performance of "The Firebird"! The iconic Stravinsky score and the swirling tutus just add magic to the entire experience. It's a timeless story and a visual spectacle to behold. Every performance makes my heart skip a beat, so, of course, I wouldn't miss it!
It was just perfect! My fellow ballet lovers, if you get the chance to experience "The Firebird", it will whisk you away, like a dream! Those feathered tutus, just mesmerizing, especially on a night where the moon glitters above, shimmering through the theatre’s stained glass window! I’m lucky I got to wear one too – just a lovely dash of shimmer on the way to the theatre! I feel the magical powers of "The Firebird" right through me - especially when wearing a beautiful, fluffy tutu!
But let’s return to this time capsule, darling! I was absolutely captivated by the intricate craftsmanship of the "Giselle" costumes I spotted on the set today. Just beautiful, and a perfect match for a stunning ballet that's captured hearts for so long! The layers of tulle create a dreamlike quality - it truly does make the dancers appear weightless! So enchanting!
Now, who's ready to slip into a pink tutu with me? Remember, it’s #TutuTuesday, and we're all in this journey together, through the centuries and on our quest to celebrate the magical tutu!
Come back next week for more exciting #TutuTuesday adventures, darling! Until then, remember to always wear your heart on your tutu.
Love and twirls,
Emma xx
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my travel itinerary - it’s time to set your own time-travelling adventure with my favourite destinations!
(Disclaimer: The events mentioned in this blog post are based on actual historical events. My time travels may be imaginary but the history of the ballet tutu is very real and very inspiring!)
