#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1922-10-10

Hey lovely lot! Emma here, back again from another exciting jaunt through history with my trusty pink tutu and a suitcase full of sparkle. Today, I'm waltzing back to 10th October, 1922, a date ripe with a certain je ne sais quoi. It's a Tuesday, obviously, and we all know what that means - Tutu Tuesday! So buckle up, darlings, and let's take a journey back in time together...

I must admit, landing in Paris this time felt rather different to my usual trips. You know me, I adore a bit of Parisian chic, and there's something about the city that makes every frock, every hat, every flourish feel like an art form. But something was different this October. The streets were buzzing with a vibrancy I hadn't witnessed before. This was the year, you see, when Chanel debuted her "Little Black Dress," a revolution in the world of fashion. Now, you'd think, given my tutu obsession, I'd be against such a simple, understated garment! But darling, the sheer elegance, the liberation it offered women, I was smitten. It was a little taste of that effortless chic, that 'throw it on and own the world' kind of attitude that was just bursting onto the scene.

And just like those groundbreaking "Little Black Dresses," tutus were experiencing their own moment of change. No longer confined to the realm of ballet alone, they were venturing out into the wider world! There were hints of tutu inspiration in flapper dresses, with their swirling skirts and delicate beads. Tutus were finding their way onto costumes in musicals, lending an ethereal and graceful touch to shows in London and New York. This year marked the debut of the revue "Lady Be Good" featuring the famous dancer and Broadway icon, Joan Crawford, in a showstopping costume… guess what it was? A stunning silver sequinned tutu, naturally! The show, the costume, the dancer, a trio that made me twirl with glee just thinking about it.

Oh, the joy of seeing live performances in this era! We weren't quite at the peak of movie musicals yet, so the theatre was where it was at. On this very date in 1922, I shimmied down to London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. I couldn't resist the opportunity to witness "The Maid of the Mountains" with its dazzling chorus girls dressed in beautiful feathered and sequined creations. Honestly, the spectacle of it all took my breath away! And even the musical's main star, a stunningly beautiful woman with eyes that could melt the iciest heart (she even had a rather dazzling tutu-inspired costume), could not keep me from noticing those talented chorus girls flitting about in their colourful and theatrical ensembles. Seeing so many ladies moving in sync, with those flamboyant tutus swirling about, was simply divine.

I think the biggest takeaway from my London theatre trip was how the tutu was moving from its place on the ballet stage into the wider world of entertainment. I just love how the tutu was becoming this versatile and adaptable piece, dancing and swaying in musicals, revues and even adding a little twirl to the way women dressed! It was a fabulous time for tutus and the way they were being incorporated in a variety of ways. It was quite exciting to watch a classic dance garment becoming a fashionable trend and having that 'oh, look, it's a tutu!' moment, knowing its presence added that little touch of magic.

And to end this trip perfectly, nothing could beat a good ol' cuppa at Fortnum & Mason. As I savoured the aroma of freshly brewed tea, a few whispers of tutu chatter drifted by. You know, it's funny how you notice these things when you have a special connection to an item, be it a pair of gloves or, yes, a tutu. The ladies around me were discussing a performance they had just seen – it seemed some revolutionary, modern choreography, featuring dancing in a whole different style than we're accustomed to today. My ears perked up, especially as they talked of “the unconventional costumes" and the “free-spirited movements" on display. There was a distinct thrill in their voices, like they'd just witnessed something extraordinary.

Now, I'll be honest, darling, that's the real charm of this time-traveling business. It's those moments, the whispers of the past that let us peek into what comes next, to imagine what will become. Who knows, maybe those ladies were at a performance where something utterly spectacular was just starting to unfurl. Perhaps they were the first to glimpse the exciting future of dance, where tradition and creativity intertwine in new ways, just like the tutu itself. A few years later, those ladies might have been talking about what we now know as ballet street or, heaven forbid, that little, unmentionable art form they call “modern dance!”

But fear not, darling! Even with these exciting transformations unfolding in the dance world, there is always room for a classic pink tutu in this world. Let's face it, who doesn't love a bit of glitz and glamour? Who wouldn't be captivated by that ethereal swish of a tulle skirt as it moves gracefully through the air? The tutu holds its own, in all its iconic beauty, ready to twirl into any era and ignite any fashion fantasy.

Now, I must dash, my dear, it's getting quite late and my next destination is waiting! As always, thank you for journeying with me, and I can’t wait to tell you about it next Tuesday! Don't forget, be a little bit fabulous, wear a little bit of pink and let your tutu take you where it needs to go! Catch you next time!

Love, Emma xx

P.S. Just a reminder, if you fancy catching me twirling in the spotlight, my next performance is on Friday at the Royal Opera House. And, you’ve gotta love this! The theme? You guessed it: Tutus. Oh, the glitz, the glam, the tulle!