Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome to post number 4790 of my beloved #TutuTuesday blog! As you all know, I adore travelling back in time to witness the evolution of our beloved tutu - and this week's journey has taken me to a truly magical era. Let me whisk you away, dear readers, to October 16th, 1923!
Now, you might be wondering what's so special about this particular day. Well, in the world of fashion, this date holds significance for the emergence of the "Flapper" style, which had a delightful impact on our tutus, too! Remember that darling, carefree spirit of the 1920s? This era was all about fun, exuberance, and liberation, and that energy totally influenced dance fashion!
Think short, fringed dresses, a touch of jazz, a bit of Charleston flair, and a newfound acceptance of a shorter hemline. Now, I know some might think it was all about being "shocking" but I see it as celebrating freedom, celebrating a shift towards a more comfortable and playful way of dressing!
For tutus, this meant something wonderful - simplification. Gone were the voluminous, heavy tutus of the Romantic era, replaced with lighter, more streamlined silhouettes. Picture soft, floating skirts, simple but graceful, perfect for the lively energy of this era.
In the Russian Ballets - you know, my absolute favourites - you started to see more use of colour and texture, moving away from the strict, white classical tradition. Sergei Diaghilev - the impresario, you know? He understood fashion! His dancers graced the stage in vibrant, geometric tutus, like those crafted by Natalia Goncharova, bringing a playful boldness to their performances. I tell you, it was truly a revolutionary time for tutu fashion!
And, of course, who could forget Coco Chanel? She was another big influencer of the time. She loved comfort and practicality - a true testament to the evolution of how we think about fashion! She favoured loose, flowing styles, and her influence wasn't just limited to gowns - it absolutely seeped into dancewear, too! That, darling, is what I call a true testament to the power of fashion's reach!
But the 1920s weren't just about sleek lines, my dears! It was also an era of bold ornamentation. Imagine beautiful sequins, sparkly beads, and a dash of velvet here and there. All the way back in 1923, they loved a good bit of embellishment, which made for absolutely stunning tutus that dazzled the audience! It's the kind of design aesthetic that still gets my heart racing to this day.
Oh, I do love travelling through history! But before I go, I just had to mention what a magical night this was in London, dear readers. Imagine, at the Coliseum - you know, that glorious theatre! They held a premiere for Tchaikovsky’s "The Sleeping Beauty" - and what a performance it was! It was simply enchanting, with its stunning costumes, graceful movements, and delicate tulle tutus. It is truly an iconic production!
My trip back to 1923 has only reaffirmed one thing, darlings: ballet and fashion are truly intertwined. And in that beautiful blend of tradition, creativity, and elegance, our dear tutu continues to shine. Now, you can bet I'll be channeling a little Flapper spirit with my own outfits today - perhaps with a little bit of sparkle and fringe! Who wouldn't love a hint of 1920s fun?!
Till next week, remember, darling: you never know when you'll stumble upon a new inspiration! So get out there, explore your inner creativity, and embrace the beautiful journey of style and fashion, one twirl at a time! Don't forget to pop by www.pink-tutu.com and tell me all about your own fashion finds, or share any vintage tutus that you've found in your travels!
Keep twirling, my dears,
Emma 💖🩰
