Hello lovelies! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina, Emma, back with another TutuTuesday from my pink-tutu-clad world!
This week, I've shimmied my way to December 16th, 1924, a time when the world was on the cusp of change, and the world of ballet was changing right along with it!
I'm so excited to share this journey with you, especially since the 1920s are a fascinating time for fashion, and well, especially tutus. If you think pink tutus are all the rage now, let me tell you, this decade was a veritable explosion of them, not just in ballet but on the streets!
Now, let me explain. I landed right here in Paris. Paris, darling! Imagine swirling around the cobblestones in my pink tutu, the Seine shimmering beside me, and the aroma of croissants in the air… Truly magical!
But this isn't a mere sightseeing trip; it’s all about diving into the history of tutu fashion! Today we're talking ballet tutus and what they meant in this period of cultural revolution.
Let’s rewind: back in 1830, Marie Taglioni – a true ballerina icon – danced in La Sylphide, a ballet which forever changed how the world saw the tutu. This “romantic” era meant less frills and more freedom for the dancers, introducing the now-classic “Romantic” tutu; that bell-shaped skirt made of tulle with layers of gossamer fabric that flows and moves with every leap, swirl, and pirouette.
The 1920s became known as a revolutionary time for art and design, and dance followed suit! It's as if a playful wind had whisked through the dance world, freeing it from the long, voluminous gowns of the past and setting a new stage for modern choreography and a whole new tutu vibe.
Imagine this, dear readers: ashort, knee-length tutu designed to reveal the legs, making for the first time ever a real sense of femininity within the tutu world, a show of the dancer's agility, and exposing their movements, like a breathtaking masterpiece in motion. Think elegant and sleek, with minimal decoration. Now, that’s what I call “boldly going where no tutu has gone before”!
You can bet that I got to explore some of the Parisian ballet houses – the Opéra Garnier especially was breathtaking – just picture the shimmering chandeliers and velvet seats, oh, how swish I danced through the lobbies! (Honestly, you all need to have a tutu day at a ballet theatre - I'm convinced it would become the new fashion for all ladies.)
I just had to indulge in the wonderful fashion scene! The fashion magazines – especially those covering “Le Ballet”, Vogue for instance, oh darling - were full of dazzling pictures of the dancers and actresses dressed in a dazzling array of short tutus – in shimmering sequins, lace, and, of course, satin ribbons, oh so pretty. All that shimmery loveliness was a revelation! This was fashion soaring beyond practicality – a pure celebration of creativity and beauty, like a whirlwind of colours, shapes, and movements.
We’re talking pink tutus in all their glorious variations, of course. There were fluffy tutus and then those made with just a few delicate layers – some tutus even with feathered trim, darling. So stylish! And you could see them everywhere - shops had window displays bursting with pink tulle, everyone wanted a taste of the ballet trend! Even the everyday street fashion reflected the dance trends! It felt like a celebration of lightness, grace and freedom – just like ballet itself!
My travels wouldn't be complete without catching a glimpse of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, oh the Ballets Russes ! Now this is where the true essence of artistic tutus emerged. Picture it: revolutionary choreographers and talented artists who embraced the tutu as a canvas for their artistry. Each movement was an explosion of colour, every design was a brushstroke against the blank canvas of the stage.
Think Tamara Karsavina, one of the leading ballerinas of the time, gracing the stage in a dazzling* pink tutu, a kaleidoscope of art deco designs with sparkling geometric patterns that added a contemporary touch, giving the tutus an electrifying edge. *Fashionable yet ground-breaking and full of whimsicality… oh, my darling!
Remember this, my dear fashion-loving friends, this decade brought about not only a fashion change, but a dance change. Ballet broke out of the *rigid, structured world of classical ballet into newer, experimental territory, where the tutus swirled and flowed along with the dancers. That's what makes 1924 so exciting – it felt as though everyone was *embracing the joy of motion.
You know what this all means for us? We get to learn from the bold pioneers who dared to flaunt the tutu* in a new, vibrant light! This is our inheritance as modern dancers and lovers of all things tutu, and let me tell you, we are keeping the spirit alive!
My visit to 1924 is an inspiration for every pink tutu wearer! It reminds me to wear my pink tutu with a bit of rebellion, a sprinkle of glamour and always a touch of artistic freedom. You too should channel your inner ballerina, darling, and don a tutu whether it be at the ballet studio or for afternoon tea, because life is an ever-changing dance - and pink tutus should be the *leading *role in our story.
Don't forget, lovelies, come back next week for another TutuTuesday. Meanwhile, let your tutus flutter, and keep your spirit vibrant.
Love always,
Emma
p.s. For any ballet history buffs (and I know you're out there) today, December 16th, is a significant day: In 1924, it was the first time Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes took the stage in London's West End at the Lyceum Theatre and in such a lavish way with the premiere of a piece called “La Chatte”. (Such a spectacular title for a show! )
Can you imagine tutus twirling to the melodies of *Tchaikovsky, the grand spectacle of the Ballets Russes – *how fabulous must that have been, to experience the first time this kind of show became an iconic event. Imagine, the tutus, the sparkle, the joy. It was a new era – and the tutus led the way, darling!
