Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts!
Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger. Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are always in style and history is a stage waiting to be danced upon! This week, my darling readers, we're stepping back to 17th October, 1922, and boy oh boy, did fashion take a spin!
This particular Tuesday landed right in the midst of the roaring twenties, a time when women shed their restrictive Victorian corsets for a whole new wave of liberation - and freedom of movement! That's right, my darlings, fashion embraced the modern woman, and it all started with that hemline, getting shorter and shorter with each passing season. Imagine - skirts skimming your knees! A scandal, I tell you! The 1920s flapper girl emerged, with her bobbed hair, bright rouge, and daringly short dresses.
Now, you may be wondering, Emma, what does all this have to do with tutus?*
Hold onto your feathered boas, darling, because everything, and I do mean everything, connects back to the beautiful ballet world.
The Rise of the Romantic Ballet
You see, as fashion became more daring, so did ballet. We had the rise of the Romantic Ballet - think ethereal tutus, shimmering in delicate silk. Those delicate, airy creations were like whispers on stage, hinting at stories of passion and heartbreak.
But in 1922, this delicate era of ballet was already coming to an end. The 'New Era' was bringing a new type of movement - the Neoclassical Ballet was on the horizon!
Imagine ballerinas gliding across the stage, no longer restrained by fussy layers of tulle. The tutus became shorter, more fitted, showcasing those graceful limbs. It was like watching the very spirit of freedom dance!
Ballet on the Stage - A Journey to the Coliseum
Now, as always, my darling readers, I couldn't resist popping into a ballet show to get a taste of the dancing happening on 17th October, 1922. And guess what I discovered? I found myself transported to London's Royal Opera House, affectionately nicknamed the Coliseum.
As I wandered down the opulent halls, the echoes of waltzing violins filled my ears. This grand space - all chandeliers, plush velvet seats, and sparkling chandeliers - is where I'm certain I would've found myself seated on this particular evening. And my, oh my, was it a spectacle to behold!
This time travel adventure offered me a rare glimpse of a very special performance, " The Sleeping Beauty." And I just had to witness this enchanting masterpiece with its dramatic choreography. This ballet's story captivated the hearts of audiences around the globe, and to witness it unfold before me... well, I tell you, I was transported!
London’s Delectable Fashion Scene
But the night wouldn't be complete without a dash of fashion! Oh, how I love a good shopping spree! As a true ballerina with an appreciation for the elegant and the stylish, I just had to head to London’s Regent Street - the ultimate shopping haven! It was an explosion of colourful storefronts, a delightful sea of *charming shops offering the latest hats and dresses, * silk scarfs and sparkling jewellery. The air buzzed with the energy of new trends and styles - oh, how I loved soaking in it all.
Paris, a Fashion Paradise
Now, you can’t discuss the fashion of 1922 without acknowledging that city... Paris, the epicentre of everything chic and elegant! If my budget allowed, I would've hopped on a train straight to Paris to indulge in a fashion escapade, discovering the latest designs, perhaps popping in to Galleries Lafayette, that iconic department store that housed everything from beautiful gowns to dazzling shoes! Imagine, Coco Chanel was in full bloom, revolutionising women's wardrobes with her simple yet sophisticated silhouettes! And Jean Patou - oh, the iconic dresses!
But back to our tutus! It's these Paris-inspired designs that, indirectly, would shape ballet fashion! With shorter hemlines, brighter colours and streamlined designs, those dainty, airy Romantic ballerinas soon embraced more dynamic, streamlined lines. The neoclassical tutu would slowly become a new star on the ballet scene - short and sleek, with more focus on showing off those exquisite ballet moves!
A Bit of Ballet Trivia
Before I let you go, a little fun fact: On 17th October, 1922, the world witnessed the birth of the famous “American Dancer,”* an American ballet dancer, named Mikhail Fokine, he was known as The Founder of Neoclassical Ballet, a groundbreaking artist who led the dance world towards bold new moves.
My fellow tutu lovers, it was his legacy that brought us closer to the tutus we adore today - more streamlined, fitted and oh-so-chic!
And remember, my darlings, every tutu has a story - whether it’s floating through the air in a Romantic ballet or shimmering on the stage in a neoclassical performance.
So, embrace your love for all things tutu. It's not just a garment; it’s a reflection of the evolution of style, culture and freedom of movement - a legacy that spans across decades.
Until next time, dear friends, keep dancing!
Yours in tutus, * *Emma
