#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History - October 24th, 1922! 🩰💖
Hello, darling dears!
Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday! I’m your fabulous fashion-forward time traveller, Emma, and this week I’ve whizzed back to the glorious 1920s to delve into the world of ballet tutus! As you all know, I'm utterly smitten with all things tutus, so today I'm thrilled to be sharing some fascinating tidbits about the evolution of this iconic garment.
(Psst! You can check out all my past #TutuTuesday posts on www.pink-tutu.com. This one's number 4739 – do make sure to give it a click!😉 You can also follow my ballet adventures on my Instagram @emmaspinktutublog – I’m always sharing outfit inspiration, gorgeous show pics and lots of fabulous fashion finds!💖)
Now, let’s whisk ourselves back to 1922, a truly magical year in the ballet world! I’m standing backstage at the Paris Opéra, just about to witness a stunning performance of "Le Sacre du Printemps." Yes, darling dears, this iconic work by Igor Stravinsky was actually a new addition to the Parisian repertoire in 1922! Imagine, watching all the drama, the powerful music, and seeing dancers with such graceful moves in those gorgeous, flowing tutus! Oh, it's truly exquisite.
Speaking of those beautiful tutus, this period in time marked a significant shift in ballet costume design. Forget those stiff and bulky tutus of the 19th century! By the 1920s, tutus became shorter and lighter, showcasing the dancer's form in all its elegance. I mean, they’re still fabulous and a beautiful garment to dance in, but think of the difference in movement! Imagine that feeling of weightlessness, dancing freely on pointe with a swish of silk just barely grazing the floor. Pure delight, isn't it?
**(Remember that iconic "leotard and tights" style we all love today? It actually started popping up in the 1920s! It was more functional, allowing the dancer to show off their physique and moves! A huge step in costume evolution! And trust me, it made the dance leaps look a whole lot more dynamic.)
I’ve been travelling through time in this decade, and the ballet costumes were evolving alongside the Roaring Twenties. Fashion was all about the glamorous flapper styles: loose, fringey silhouettes, shorter hems, and of course, an abundance of sparkling embellishments! It was this rebellious, daring energy that also filtered through into ballet, darling. Imagine these glamorous dancers sporting beaded tutus with dropped waistlines and those amazing fringe embellishments – a pure riot of gorgeous! I might have been a little bit too obsessed with adding an extra layer of glitter myself (it’s a #TutuTuesday thing, you know?!) 😉
One thing you'll always find is that ballet design loves its drama. Even in the 1920s, they experimented with unique fabrics. Satin and silk took centre stage, lending an alluring and ethereal touch. Then there’s the intricate details that caught my eye - beaded accents, metallic threads and lace – all creating an unparalleled sense of opulence and visual drama!
But let's not forget about the other incredible costumes. They might not be as famous as tutus, but the men were sporting pretty magnificent costumes, too! Imagine those dramatic costumes worn by the male dancers with their luxurious satin, rich colours and striking embellishments! (It's all about capturing that spirit of the era!) We’re talking velvet jackets and long silk breeches in luxurious hues of emerald and sapphire – nothing subtle about these outfits!
One of the most prominent names in ballet design at the time was Madame Karinska. I had to check her out for this blog post! This fabulous costumer dressed some of the greatest dancers of her time - Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina and the iconic Vaslav Nijinsky! And what amazing creativity, darlings! She crafted those show-stopping costumes for “Scheherazade”, a 1910 ballet that revolutionised costume design and paved the way for bolder creations. I hear “Scheherazade” featured those lavish, exotic costumes with swirling lines and decadent embellishments. So gorgeous, you just can’t miss it!
So much drama! And I loved to travel and go shopping with the girls in this era. I was in the shops yesterday – everything's so beautiful here in the 1920s – those fantastic dresses with flapper details. There’s even this delicious new confectionery craze! Candies shaped like hearts, stars, and flowers - pure Parisian perfection. Oh, the memories!
I even stopped by to watch the premiere of “Les Biches.” What an unforgettable dance with a fabulously rebellious mood - an exploration of the women of the time! So, you've got all the incredible artistry, the beauty, and of course, a sprinkle of scandal. And what do you do when the Parisian elite start rumouring about that extra dose of sensuality and modern styles in “Les Biches”? The ballet world went bonkers! I had to take a moment just to watch all the exciting commotion – pure delight!
**(By the way, this decade became an era of innovation for ballet shoes as well. We're talking delicate and refined ballet shoes – lighter, and softer. All designed to accentuate the beauty of the dancers' graceful moves.)
**(Speaking of which, I adore the way the dancers carried themselves in this decade. The ballet world was embracing this whole idea of freedom and expression - a move away from those stricter 19th-century styles. It was about dancing from the soul - the dancers weren't just performing moves, they were portraying an emotion!)
Speaking of emotion, my #TutuTuesday adventures often take me to incredible ballets - “Swan Lake” or “The Sleeping Beauty” – the works of the masters! They’re like the ultimate fairytale dream - everything is just so whimsical. Imagine delicate, featherlight tutus made of soft tulle - floating in every direction - it's an unforgettable spectacle! I'm pretty sure every time I've been to a ballet performance during the early part of the 20th century it felt like pure magic. All the glimmering lights, the costumes - everything around the dancing is just enchanting!
**(As an aspiring dancer myself, I know that even when I travel to different decades I’m totally inspired by the dance. So it’s definitely worth a trip to the theatre if you haven't gone before! Just make sure to take a little trip down memory lane with the most iconic performances by legendary figures - the one and only Pavlova!)
I’m afraid I’m almost at the end of this week's #TutuTuesday blog post, but before we say goodbye, I just wanted to mention some truly exquisite ballet costumes that captured my eye while journeying through the 1920s. Oh, the stunning creations!
For a hint of glamour and elegance, I highly recommend visiting a performance of “Aurora's Wedding.” Oh my, darlings, just look at the beauty - the elegant silks and lace! It was a true celebration of the beauty and graceful artistry of ballet, and they did it in style ! The dancers just looked absolutely breathtaking, and there's just something about that timeless charm that never goes out of fashion.
It’s been a thrilling ride through the 1920s, a decade filled with artistic spirit, revolution and bold expressions in the ballet world. This iconic period brought an air of freedom to dance and introduced so many breathtaking ballet creations. If you have the chance to travel back in time to witness the glamour and drama of this decade - I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Well, darling dears, that's all for today! Do give #TutuTuesday a follow on my Instagram, and www.pink-tutu.com for all my blog posts and the latest fashion news.
And most importantly: Remember, you don’t need a time machine to unleash your inner ballerina! Keep the fabulous, fun and free-spirited tutu love alive – no matter which decade you find yourself in!💖
See you next Tuesday! ✨
Emma.