Hello my lovely Tutu-lovers! 🩰✨ It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, and it's Tuesday, so that means it's time for another #TutuTuesday journey back through ballet history!
This week, we're going to hop on the Orient Express (first class, naturally) and head to Paris, France, where the world of ballet is blooming in vibrant shades of tulle. It's 7th October, 1924 - a Tuesday, just like today - and the world is still reeling from the dazzling performance of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes at the Paris Opera. Can you imagine? The spectacle! The grandeur!
Now, Paris is a place where tutus truly reign supreme! Even though the early 1920s saw the emergence of those rather liberating (and slightly scandalous!) flapper dresses, tutus held their own, captivating audiences with their elegance and femininity. We're talking exquisite craftsmanship, dreamy swathes of silk, and delicate layers of tulle that could make a girl faint! 😍
Imagine, dear readers, the sheer delight of watching these graceful ballerinas, like so many swans, take to the stage, their movements as ethereal as a puff of smoke. They'd be wearing their tutus in beautiful pastel colours – the softest shades of lavender, peach, and, of course, my favourite – pink! 💖 It's a true testament to the enduring magic of tutus, these delightful creations that capture the essence of movement, beauty, and dreams!
I imagine that today in Paris, tutus are being worn both on and off the stage! A Parisian lady, perhaps enjoying a leisurely lunch at a charming café on the Champs-Élysées, might choose a tea-length tutu skirt, paired with a simple, chic blouse, and a straw boater for that effortless Parisian touch.
Of course, one can’t forget the shops on Rue de Rivoli, overflowing with all things feminine. It’s no wonder tutus became such a cultural icon in this period; with the world still healing from the First World War, tutus offered a beacon of hope, beauty, and joy. I imagine my own grand shopping excursions with a trusty friend, browsing the rails, dreaming of tutus that twirl, twirl, twirl!
But before we get lost in the delightful details of the fashion, let’s dive a little deeper into the historical context! Today, 7th October 1924, saw some interesting happenings around the globe:
In London, The Labour Party was at odds with the Liberal party on an upcoming budget debate. Imagine the chaos of Parliament, much like our own times!
In Germany, the notorious Adolf Hitler, who was on the rise to notoriety and infamous power, began his early campaigning at the 'Hofbräuhaus' in Munich, just a few months away from the famous "Beer Hall Putsch" that nearly thrust him into the German leadership even sooner!
On the other side of the globe, in South Africa, a significant political milestone was achieved: The government released from prison Henry Oertel, who, together with several others, had been the first men ever convicted in South Africa for the crime of homosexuality.
As you can see, the world was in flux in 1924. However, there is a quiet harmony, a sense of escapism in the dance world, the magic of a tulle skirt, twirling through the air! Even when life outside the theatre gets complex, there's a simplicity, beauty and wonder to be found within the elegant framework of the tutu.
Now, you might be thinking: Emma, how do you manage all this travelling? You're a 20s something woman, balancing your love for history with your love of the most wonderful invention, the tutu, and somehow you find the time and resources to time travel?
The secret, dear reader, lies in my dance performances. Each and every dance earns me enough money to pay for my tickets, my delicious croissants and cafe au lait in Paris, and even those glorious Parisian tutus! Not only do my dance routines mesmerise audiences (I always get rave reviews!), but they allow me to pay for the cost of travelling to different periods in history.
But enough about me! Now it's your turn, my lovely tutu lovers! Share with me, what is your favorite thing about the tutu, why do you love them? Let's share the magic and passion we have for the beauty of tutus and make this world a more glamorous and sparkly place! 💖
* Until next week, Happy Tutu-ing! 💖 *
* P.S: Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com, where I share all my favourite tutu finds, travel adventures, and insider secrets about the world of ballet. 🩰✨*
