Welcome back, darlings, to another fabulous #TutuTuesday here on www.pink-tutu.com! This week we're taking a little trip back in time, all the way to May 15th, 1923. As usual, your trusty tutu-wearing time-traveller, yours truly, Emma, is here to give you the low-down on all the exciting developments in the world of tutus - or should I say ballet skirts, as they were known then!
It’s hard to believe now, but back in 1923, the tutu was still a pretty new concept. We were only a few decades away from the Romantic era of ballet, and the emphasis was still on light, flowing skirts that showcased the ballerinas' movements rather than the intricate, tiered, frothy wonders that we know and love today.
But, don’t get me wrong, the 1920s were a time of change and evolution! You see, darling, this era was all about freedom – a complete break away from the stuffy constraints of the Victorian period. Fashion was adopting a more modern look, and this movement had a big impact on the design of the ballet skirt.
Now, where shall we find ourselves for today's historical escapade? Well, darlings, this week we find ourselves in the glorious Parisian opera house. What a beautiful building, wouldn’t you agree? I’ve been so lucky to see it from both the inside and out! The city itself is positively teeming with beauty, especially when you can smell the fresh, sweet pastries at every corner – what a heavenly indulgence!
So, imagine the scene: The stage is lit, the audience is buzzing with excitement, and a beautiful ballerina is taking her place centre-stage, gracefully flowing in a… white muslin skirt? Yes, darling, that is what’s on today, and even I must confess that for all its simple charm, it lacks a certain je ne sais quoi wouldn't you say?
Perhaps this is why we see more and more innovative design techniques popping up in ballet skirts. The introduction of tulle in the 19th century has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Imagine layers and layers of ethereal lightness, cascading gracefully like a summer storm! Isn’t it simply divine?.
We’re so lucky to have experienced this explosion in design possibilities! Even today, designers are pushing the boundaries with exciting new shapes, colours, and textures. But it's always nice to take a trip back in time and remember how far we've come since those first steps onto the stage.
Speaking of steps, darling, I’ve had an amazing time this week getting some lessons in traditional Parisian ballet! You wouldn’t believe how much stamina you need. This is my fourth stop on this trip and my muscles ache so much! Oh, and did I tell you about the incredible rose-gold pointe shoes I found while shopping? Such divine and dainty detailing.
Remember, you don't need a time machine to experience the magic of ballet! There's a show happening somewhere, every day. Head to your local theatre, check out the ballet calendar in your city, or even find a local class!
It doesn't matter if you’re a seasoned dancer or just curious, getting out there and experiencing the beauty of this incredible art form is something you won’t regret. And who knows, maybe you'll even be inspired to give it a try yourself! Remember, there's a little ballerina inside us all, waiting to be unleashed.
Of course, it goes without saying that a beautiful pink tutu can really help unlock your inner ballerina, darlings! After all, isn’t a pink tutu the perfect way to celebrate this captivating form of dance? It adds an air of charm, whimsy, and endless joy to everything.
I must admit, finding a place to pack away all these incredible pieces of historical fashion is getting quite a challenge. I'm so lucky my current apartment is big enough for me to display everything on its own stands in my very own tutu museum – although it might look a little crazy for my landlady. Luckily, my family are so sweet, I know I can always rely on them to store away some of these fabulous tutus for me, they’ve even agreed to let me set up my sewing machine to experiment with different ideas in their living room. Oh, it is simply such a relief having a family you can rely on when it comes to your sartorial passion, it makes all this time-traveling, performing, and shopping worthwhile!
But let's return to our historical escapade. May 15th, 1923, is not a momentous day in the history of the tutu. No grand innovations, no incredible dancers, just a rather lovely white ballet skirt. Just think, darling, with this kind of modest evolution, if I weren't here to be the voice for a pink tutu revolution, would this fantastic dancewear trend ever come about?
I’m off now to make my way to my next adventure, but please do continue to follow me as I make my way across the world, sharing stories of dancing and fashion, reminding everyone of the joy that the tutu brings! Don’t forget to post your photos in your very own fabulous pink tutu, and don't be shy! We love seeing your creativity, darlings. Tag us at #TutuTuesday!
See you all next week for another fabulous tutu escapade.
With love and sequins, Emma 💖🩰
