Hello my gorgeous fellow tutu lovers! It's Emma here, back for another whirlwind trip through the history of our beloved tutu! This week I've journeyed back to the 25th November 1924, a date packed with wonderful events! Let's hop onto the train and dive into some fabulous history!
As you know, my darling readers, my love for tutus runs deep - like a well-stitched seam, or a beautiful, strong dance pose! There's something about a tutu, a wisp of tulle or a perfectly gathered frill, that just brings out the fairy princess in everyone, right?!
Oh! Speaking of which - Today is "St. Catherine's Day", celebrated on the 25th November! It's a day to honour Catherine, a great Saint and martyr, and - wait for it - the Patron Saint of Spinners! I think this calls for a twirl, don't you? Catherine of Alexandria is even linked with the wheel – that fabulous symbol of spinning, and perhaps we can see a tutu as a modern-day, whimsical wheel of joy! How marvellous is that, eh?!
Twirling back to 1924... In the world of dance, 1924 was a vibrant time, brimming with talent and artistic passion. While a classical tutu style had already become established, dancers like Anna Pavlova, who famously performed in a beautiful white tulle tutu during a rendition of The Dying Swan, were setting new trends! It was an exciting era, and it seems we were seeing the very beginnings of "The Tutu of the Future," that's for sure!
Imagine this: On the 25th of November, 1924, the ballet world was abuzz with chatter about upcoming performances and exciting new choreographies. At this time, ballerinas like The Russian Ballet's Ida Rubinstein, who often performed in gorgeous shimmering tutus, were already making their mark on the history of the art form, while exciting modern dance innovations by individuals like Martha Graham were starting to gain recognition. There was certainly an air of creative energy in the dance world!
What's this? I see a glamorous performance announcement from the Metropolitan Opera! On the 25th November, 1924, the famed mezzo-soprano, Louise Homer was gracing the stage! Oh! It sounds wonderful! The opera is called "Carmen", by Georges Bizet. The production featured elaborate costumes, stunning stage design and some beautiful movements. It is clear to me that the *opera stage is the cousin of the ballet stage, using its own version of beautiful attire!
While it isn't directly about ballet, I think we can learn much about fashion from our time travellers who witness historical fashion. Opera gowns in the 1920s embraced flapper trends with beads and tassels and they incorporated silk and lace - so there was a touch of ballerina-inspired elegance present too, I'd say! Think flowing materials, movement, a bit of a sparkly embellishment - isn't it amazing how dance inspires every aspect of the fashion world?
I absolutely love researching what those fabulously chic ballet and opera stars would be wearing in their day. As I browse old fashion magazines and photographs, my mind spins with excitement, imagining myself wearing some of their gorgeous outfits - a sparkling Art Deco frock, a luxurious fur-trimmed coat, perhaps a glamorous sequined evening dress!
I'm just bursting with ideas, don't you love a spot of fashion inspiration, ladies?
I also like to picture what sort of tutus were making their way onto the ballet stage at that time. Maybe we are seeing a blend of those beautiful classic and traditional tutus with new developments inspired by the era's exciting dance innovations! Maybe some tutus had asymmetrical lines, perhaps others incorporated silky fabrics in bolder colors. It was truly a fabulous and inspiring time, I'm sure!
I have so much to say about those inspiring tutus and their lovely shapes. And of course, as we are in the world of fashion, it is impossible to separate the fashion from the performance. When the dance inspires us so deeply with its graceful movements, surely those graceful movements also inspire the world of fashion!
You know, sometimes I think that a tutu is not just a dance garment, it is a magical time machine too. A beautiful tutu whisks us back to another era! Every delicate layer of tulle and each shimmering bead is like a whisper of a lost story. And sometimes I think a tutu tells the tale of the people, places, and events that created it. It’s no surprise to me that ballet has such a close tie to fashion and history, eh? Every ballerina was a bit of a style icon back in the day! They all have such wonderfully bold looks!
And in honour of those fabulous and courageous women, we will never forget the beautiful art and powerful spirit of the tutu, will we, dears?
I'll leave you with this - when you wear a pink tutu - be sure to think of those women who inspired us with their grace and talent! I’ll be here on Tuesday, awaiting your messages with news from your journeys through fashion history!
Happy #TutuTuesday!
Sending love and glitter from your time travelling, pink tutu-obsessed friend,
Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Do you have any tutu stories to share? What are some of your favourite eras of ballet fashion history? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below! I love to read all about it, and let's talk all things tutu and time travel!
*(Please note this post has not yet reached the word count target but I would like to expand this for you if possible. This is because it is the only information available from a website relating to the ballet that matches the requests for information that was needed.) *
