Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure! This week we're waltzing our way to 17th June 1924, a day filled with tutus, fashion, and delightful surprises.
I'm perched here on a Parisian café terrace, sunlight bouncing off my blush-pink tutu, feeling every bit the glamorous ballerina. The Eiffel Tower, a symphony of steel and elegance, rises majestically in the distance, and the scent of freshly baked croissants wafts in the air. Just magical, isn't it?
Today marks an absolutely significant date in the history of our beloved ballet tutus! This was the day the Diaghilev's Ballets Russes took to the stage in London at the Covent Garden Royal Opera House, presenting their stunning interpretation of Igor Stravinsky's "Les Noces". Now, you all know I have a bit of a soft spot for this composer! His music is simply electrifying and utterly captivating!
"Les Noces", which translates to "The Wedding," is an astonishingly powerful ballet that showcases both the beauty and brutality of marriage within a rustic Russian community. It's a ballet that explodes with colour, drama, and passion - perfect fodder for the grand tutus of the era!
Now, speaking of grand tutus, this ballet is notable for its stunning costumes, designed by Natalia Goncharova, an incredible artist with a talent for vibrant and expressive design. You'll be pleased to know these tutus, while grand, are still a far cry from the traditional tutu-de-pointe, the ones we typically see on the dancers today. They are still tutues, but with wider, more sweeping shapes and a focus on artistic expression, allowing for fluid, theatrical movement, not the precise ballet movements that are popular today. The Ballets Russes' performances truly redefined what it meant to wear a tutu, pushing boundaries and pushing our understanding of its potential!
Tutu Inspiration from the 1920s:
We can still feel the influence of the 1920s style on today's ballet tutus! You see, this era was all about embracing new, exciting silhouettes that embraced freedom and femininity. This, darling, is something we all can agree on! I, personally, adore that era's spirit - free-flowing garments and bold statement pieces. Think sparkling beads, feathered embellishments, and, of course, the flapper era, which embraced tutus and dance in a brand new way, for more social events as well as performances.
While traditional tutus were still seen on the ballet stage, 1920s fashions found ways to reinterpret this timeless look into elegant and whimsical everyday outfits. Think shorter skirts and loose dresses inspired by the Ballets Russes' dramatic costumes! Just look at all the glamorous drop waist dresses and chic flapper gowns! The Roaring Twenties, truly lived up to their name with some daring fashion innovations. I simply adore this decade and its revolutionary influence on what we see today.
My Pink Tutu Wardrobe Journey Today:
I always take a trip through the historical archives on my time travels to see the stunning ballet styles of the era. My favourites have been those in Russia, in St Petersburg, which was an absolute hotbed of fashion! There's this particular shop I love on Nevsky Prospect, called the House of Worth, and its Parisian salon is nothing short of spectacular! It’s brimming with vibrant fabrics, the latest fashions, and the most decadent designs – think luxurious satin and luxurious velvet - truly, a ballerina's paradise! This trip definitely added some sparkling velvet and shimmering sequined numbers to my wardrobe.
And speaking of my wardrobe! Do you love my new hot pink sequin tutu I'm wearing today? I just had to pick it up at Printemps, the famous Parisian department store - my favourite place to browse! This is a real jewel of a store with floors upon floors of the most enchanting and elegant items. Oh, they just had the most amazing selection of beaded sashes and feather boas too! They'll look divine with my new pink sequined tutu. It simply wouldn't be a trip without an afternoon at Printemps!
What's on the Agenda:
Speaking of "Les Noces," darling, we just have to catch its encore this evening at Covent Garden! Now, it's time to visit the Millinery section at Liberty’s in London. Just because this Parisian jaunt has been amazing, the millinery is just so impressive! Nothing is more delightful than adding a touch of whimsy to my outfit. And a trip wouldn't be complete without some delicate feather headdress. You just can't have a #TutuTuesday blog without some incredible feathered adornments!
Tonight, after the performance, we'll be taking a little stroll around London. We’ll be catching some evening performances at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, to take in a little Shakespeare, but my real treat is a late-night supper at Rules – the oldest restaurant in London! It’s an old favourite and I adore the elegant, antique atmosphere of the place, perfect for soaking in the magic of the past.
You know, what makes my trips all the more enjoyable is meeting other passionate ballerinas! It's inspiring to be part of a community, sharing our passion and enthusiasm. I’ve actually started a little ballet school at home! My darling younger sister is learning how to do pirouettes, and I just had to buy her the prettiest pink tutu ever. Nothing is sweeter than passing on my love for ballet and tutus!
Stay tuned next week, my dearest friends, for another adventure in Tutu history! Until then, be sure to embrace your inner ballerina, let your spirit twirl, and remember: Life is just one big grand stage - go out and show everyone just how beautifully you can shine!
**Yours in Tutu,
Emma x**
