Hello, my lovelies! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu and beyond. As you know, this is my favourite day of the week - Tutu Tuesday! This is where I take you on a little journey through the history of the tutu, the magnificent garment that makes my heart sing!
And you've all been so lovely sending me messages and pictures on my social media, showing off your favourite tutus - whether you're wearing them in the studio, strutting on a stage, or even just lounging about at home! Remember, there's no wrong way to wear a tutu! š
Now, let's dive into the past!
Today, my fabulous time machine has whisked me back to 4th March, 1924. Oh, the roaring twenties! A time for flapper dresses, jazz music and... oh, I wonder if anyone has even thought about wearing tutus yet! I must pop down to the library!
( Quick note: youāve probably noticed that the 1920s are a period I frequently visit! The 1920s were all about dancing. You know what that means - Tutus!!!)
Well, darling, as Iām just getting my time machine back in action - thereās a very important historical moment that I can't ignoreā¦ Did you know that today was the first ever performance of āThe Green Pasturesā?! This amazing Broadway production by Marc Connelly is based on the novel āOlā Man Adam anā His Chillun,ā and explores black spirituality and culture with real honesty and heart. Now, donāt get me wrong, we are a long way from my favourite ballets, but anything that tells stories and allows for beautiful costumes is good for my soul.
Now let's chat a bit about where my historical journey takes me todayā¦ Paris, oh, la la! It's always a pleasure to step back in time in this magical city! I canāt help thinking about how wonderful a show would be at the Palais Garnier! Such grandeur!
Now, back to tutusā¦ (We can always pop back to Parisian style laterā¦ that might need a whole post on its ownā¦) Have I ever mentioned the connection between ballet and fashion? It's been intertwined forever! This time period (remember, 4th March 1924) saw some incredible developments in dance and in costumes too. Think swirling, graceful movement and flowing skirts ā oh, how beautiful! The influence of ballet costumes on fashionable dresses, gowns, and even separates was pretty undeniable. You see those sleek and slinky looks of the twenties? Ballet, my darlings, played a massive part in that.
But what exactly were these dancers wearing?
Now, the tutu at the moment was not your typical pink pouffe of loveliness. It was actually a fairly new design called the "tutu Ć la romantique" (French, of course! Where else would it be?!), designed by the legendary Marius Petipa. (Another note on the manā¦ well, he deserves a post all on his ownā¦) This style, oh, it's quite different to the classic pouffy one we see in todayās ballets, with its shorter, tiered layers and a soft, billowing silhouette. Think delicate fairy frocks that swish and sway, letting the dancers take flight across the stage with grace and elegance. Absolutely lovely.
But this, darling, was not just about look - it was all about function. Imagine the early stages of classical ballet - the movements required new and innovative designs, allowing dancers to reach for their potential! The tutu had to give them the flexibility and lightness to fly - to literally express themselves through movement. And how beautiful that it still looks, decades later! The romantic style tutu? A dance costume that actually shaped the look and feeling of the whole era! You simply couldnāt move as beautifully in a long dress or heavy skirt - the "tutu Ć la romantique" let these ballerinas blossom! And donāt even get me started on the fabrics! The fabrics were light as air, they were silk and gauze, tulle, nettingā¦ the textures and colouringsā¦ dreamy!
I am absolutely certain that the "tutu Ć la romantique" was one of the first signs of the huge fashion impact dance has on the world. It's more than just an outfit. It's an essential part of telling stories, inspiring the art of fashion itself and showing the sheer athletic beauty of human movement.
And just to think about those Parisian shows from the twenties... Can you picture those ballerinas, dressed in romantic tutus, floating on stage? So much beauty!
Okay, darlings, Iām going to wrap up here. My time machine is buzzing to be taken for a spin around those Parisian theatres (who knows where else my tutu can take me this week?). I hope you enjoyed this peek back into time!
Keep sharing your tutu pics, sending me stories of your love for all things ballet - remember, everyone looks beautiful in a tutu!
Until next week, happy tutu-ing!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesday
