Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, back with another scintillating installment of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet tutu history, straight from the past (and yes, I still manage to sneak in some present-day pink tutu tips - because who can resist a good pink tutu?!)
This is post number 4776, for those of you keeping count! And today, dear readers, we're waltzing our way back to 1923-07-10!
Paris - The City of Lights, and Tututi-licious Fashion
Now, 1923...that was a rather interesting year for tutus, my lovelies. Think bobbed hair, flapper dresses, and a rather daring style for the times. And while those styles might be gone, the spirit of breaking boundaries and expressing individuality in dance and fashion remains. Oh, the stories I could tell about those heady days!
Today, we're stepping into Paris - the very heart of tutus and the place where it all started!
Let's set the scene. It's a balmy summer evening in Paris. We're wandering the charming streets, the aroma of fresh pastries and the clink of glasses from cafes fill the air, and oh my goodness, the fashion! It’s absolutely divine! Think simple lines, delicate fabrics, and a touch of embellishment - it's all about femininity, a hint of Parisian chic and a hint of daring. I mean, imagine! Flapper dresses that actually revealed your ankles! It was practically revolutionary, wasn’t it? And did I mention, the tutus? sigh Absolutely heavenly!
You might find yourself at the legendary Palais Garnier, marveling at the opulent beauty of this majestic theatre, ready to experience a magical ballet performance - it truly was a golden age for dance and for those beautiful tutus.
Speaking of ballet, have you ever wondered about how our beloved tutus came about? Let's step back in time just a little...
From Courtly Costumes to Ballet Glamour
You might think those delicate, graceful, puffy tutus have always been around, but my dear darlings, they didn’t just magically appear on a ballerina one fine day. You see, it was actually a slow, romantic evolution from courtly costumes to the delicate, breathtaking creations that make ballerinas look like ethereal beings.
Originally, they were long and flowy, but the design transformed as ballet developed. Picture this: Ballerinas needed to show off their moves, their strength, their graceful leaps and twirls! So the skirts had to become shorter and tighter, leaving them free to move with incredible grace and freedom. And then...it's almost a Cinderella moment... poof! - the tutu as we know it today, came to be!
In the 1800s, Marie Taglioni, that enchanting and groundbreaking ballerina, had the revolutionary idea to design a tutu that was actually a tutu as we know it now. We're talking about that simple but impactful structure - a delicate skirt - with only two tiers of soft tulle and a snug, fitted bodice! I know, it seems simple, but that design brought a revolutionary change! Now, imagine a dance with elegant movements in such a lightweight costume - absolutely captivating!
Now back to Paris and those fab tutus...
Parisian Tutus: A Whirlwind of Elegance
In the heart of Paris, on this 10th of July in 1923, I am certain you would have seen beautiful ballet shows at the Opéra de Paris! In the 1920s, they embraced that airy, playful elegance that we still adore today.
Of course, with the evolving styles of ballet and fashion, tutus went through transformations too. The 1920s tutus still embraced those flowing tulle skirts, but were often more shorter and closer to the body. Oh, imagine those delightful ballerina dresses, that touch of whimsy and elegance! And of course, you might catch a glimpse of these stylish beauties at famous French theatres - the Paris Opéra or perhaps even a more intimate stage!
Imagine how stunning those tutus would look under the enchanting Parisian lighting of that era! That gentle interplay of light and shade as dancers glide across the stage... breathtaking, isn’t it?
Speaking of elegance... we simply must talk about the iconic costumes for the iconic Swan Lake, that's our little "pink" connection, for you see my darlings, the famous swan tutus... they are just so... ethereal! Imagine all the glittering gems and the light fabrics… truly magnificent!
Tutus On The Rails
Right now, you could easily find me whisking around France on a beautiful steam train - a whirlwind of fashion and travel, much like a beautiful ballerina spinning!
Don’t forget to check the rail times before travelling, darlings. Trains really are a wonderful way to get about in France. A true time traveler's favourite!
Shopping for Tutus in Paris
No trip to Paris is complete without a stop at the beautiful boutiques. The bustling heart of Paris - that soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the charm of charming boutiques, it's truly magical! It’s the place for finding fab, intricate creations. I'm picturing exquisite shops filled with fine fabrics, the glint of glittering embellishments, and the whispering scent of couture! Imagine strolling through the enchanting stores on Rue de la Paix! You might find that one beautiful piece, a special addition for your ballet wardrobe, or a whimsical pink tutu - just because!
Remember my dears, your wardrobe is like a blank canvas...paint it with colour!
*Tutu Time Capsule - 1923-07-10: *
On this special #TutuTuesday, why not try channeling the charm and flair of those golden ballet years? Don't forget - tutus and their style inspirations are more relevant than ever, with modern ballet companies like The Royal Ballet drawing inspiration from those 1920s, 30s and 40s costumes!
So dear darlings, it's time for you to slip on your tutu! Maybe even a fabulous pink one! Because just as a dancer on a stage needs their special, graceful, elegant costume, we can all add some tutu magic to our lives. And who knows, with every pink tutu we wear, maybe we can just spread some of that special ballet magic around the world... wouldn’t that be glorious?
As always, dear darlings, don't forget to hop onto our fabulous website at www.pink-tutu.com and share your beautiful pink tutu moments! It's been a pleasure traveling back to this lovely day in history with you.
See you next week for another exciting #TutuTuesday journey.
And until then, dance like nobody's watching, darling!
💖🩰✨
