#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1923-04-03

Hello, my dearest tutu-loving friends! Emma here, your time-traveling tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday instalment for your delightful perusal. This week, I’ve been gallivanting around the beautiful city of Paris – oh, the glamour! It truly is a city that never fails to inspire with its breathtaking architecture, chic fashion, and, of course, the ballet!

I'm positively giddy about the tutu trends I’ve been spotting this week! 1923 is a fascinating era for ballet costumes. The tutus are a world away from the fluffy, frothy creations of earlier periods! Today, the focus is on sleek lines, elegance, and a touch of the daringly modern.

You see, darling, a seismic shift occurred in the ballet world around the 1920s. This era is often labelled "The Golden Age of Ballet". We have to thank the great choreographers of this time for pushing the boundaries of the art form – a bit like we do with our tutu creations, wouldn’t you say? Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, a ballet company, absolutely revolutionised what was considered ‘acceptable’ on stage. Their daring creations, like “The Firebird”, and "Scheherazade", demanded a new kind of artistry, a new kind of tutu!

Gone are the days of the puffy Romantic tutu, think fluffy tulle, knee length and almost a foot in circumference, which reigned supreme for nearly a century. The modern ballet dancer now wants to move! And boy, are they moving!

In 1923, a beautiful young woman named Tamara Karsavina became the first ballerina to perform in a daring new style – a super-short, thigh-length tutu, with a bodice that was almost invisible! Talk about scandalous for the time! This groundbreaking creation, a world away from the cumbersome Romantic tutu, became synonymous with Diaghilev's innovative company – imagine being a trailblazer like that!

We see modernisation everywhere we look! Even the shape of the skirt itself has changed. It’s no longer strictly circular; it is now flowing, sometimes reaching up towards the knees. And just you wait until you see the amazing use of colours! Bold and vibrant colours, vibrant pinks and vibrant oranges, the colour palette for the tutu is no longer limited by tradition.

And this daringly bold fashion is not limited to the ballet stage, you see! The 1920s were all about defying convention! Parisian streets are vibrant with stylish ladies sporting* fashionable silhouettes and a daring dose of sparkle. Even the famous *Flapper era embraces the spirit of the time: **a spirit of freedom, independence and femininity! They love the short hemline, beaded dresses, and luxurious, free-flowing fabrics, not unlike the daring dancers of the day.

We’re here for it, are we not, dear readers? Let’s go shopping! My time-travelling efforts don’t stop with dance and dress – a great part of my journey is the exploration of fascinating history.

Speaking of our history, we have a very special day here in 1923: It is 3rd April 1923, the very day “The Marriage of Figaro" was performed at the Théâtre National de l’Opéra-Comique in Paris. Oh, imagine seeing this iconic opera live! We might be more familiar with Mozart's “Figaro”, however, the very first opera by that name, was the work of Italian composer Giovanni Paisiello, and its Parisian premier was over a century before Mozart! It seems our world is full of so many hidden surprises!

To say the least, this is a particularly exciting moment in time for fashion and dance. If you're in Paris this week, darling, grab your tickets to a ballet show or opera and let the magic of the arts transport you! I'm absolutely living my best life here in Paris, donning a darling pink tutu and discovering all the hidden gems the city offers! I hope you're embracing your love for the beautiful, bold, and imaginative world of tutus and beyond! And of course, do follow me on social media @pink-tutu.com. Until next Tuesday!

Your tutu-loving time traveler,

Emma x

P.S: This trip I’m travelling via the Paris Métro, or underground railway system as the English like to say. Talk about glamorous transport! It’s clean and chic. We can ride the Paris metro without breaking the bank! However, I’m already planning to be at Gare de Lyon in the evening - as we all know the trains are absolutely iconic when it comes to traveling to Paris from other countries, especially when travelling from my lovely Derbyshire. Now we just need an extravagant evening gown to fit my next journey! Stay tuned, darling. We shall never stop twirling!

P.P.S If you’re still reading this darling, don’t forget to come join me next Tuesday on my Ballet Tutu History journey on the 3rd of April 2024! Let’s see what the tutu-tastic surprises the 21st century has in store for us!