Hello my darling dears! Emma here, your tutu-clad time-travelling fashionista, back with another journey into the glorious history of the ballet tutu! 🩰
Today we're whisking ourselves back to December 23rd, 1924, a date steeped in dance, fashion, and a whole lotta pink, naturally!
As a Derbyshire lass at heart, I do love a good train journey, and today's destination is the heart of the ballet world – Paris! Now, I know some of you might think ballet is all about London, but darling, Paris was the epicentre of it all in 1924, bursting with the most dazzling ballerinas and a vibrant artistic scene. Think shimmering silks, decadent gowns, and those daring, revolutionary designs by Chanel – all perfect for setting off a beautiful, blush-hued tutu, wouldn't you agree?
On December 23rd, 1924, the Opéra Garnier, that magnificent palace of ballet, would have been a whirl of activity. It was a time of groundbreaking choreographers like Michel Fokine, who redefined classical ballet with his ballets like Le Spectre de la Rose, filled with sweeping lines and emotive gestures – oh, how I love a bit of expressive dance! The tutu of the time? Picture a fluffy cloud of tulle, just skimming the dancer's knee, swirling like a whispered promise of grace.
But the ballet wasn't the only place tutus were causing a stir in Paris. Fashion, oh darling, was practically bursting at the seams with the most captivating designs! Designers were pushing boundaries, embracing bold new silhouettes and colours. Imagine yourself gliding down the boulevards in a stunning, beaded flapper dress with just the slightest hint of pink tulle peeking out beneath – chic, daring, and utterly delightful! It was an era where Parisian women, with their newfound independence, were redefining what it meant to be fashionable.
Oh, and speaking of daring and independence, who could forget Coco Chanel, the revolutionary queen of fashion? She was taking the world by storm, simplifying the silhouette and ushering in a new age of feminine style. Think loose, flowy lines, playful accents, and the most gloriously simple but effective garments – just imagine a dash of tulle peeking out under her iconic black jacket!
And of course, Paris wasn't just a place of fancy shops and even fancier parties! The spirit of the city was full of life, laughter, and joyous, vibrant energy, a feeling I believe we can truly capture in a swirl of pink tulle. After all, what could be more joyful than a delicate dance under a sky of Parisian stars? I picture a grand ball at a decadent Parisian salon, the air alive with the sounds of a Strauss waltz, and every lady there with a touch of tulle. It would be a dream!
But I'm a bit of a history buff too, you see, so while I love the romantic charm of that era, I also love discovering what actually happened on this specific date back in 1924! That’s how I manage to fund my time travelling, by researching the happenings of the day and incorporating them into my performances. Don’t you just love a good multi-talented ballerina?!
December 23rd, 1924 saw a plethora of events - nothing majorly earth shattering - just regular Parisian life happening! I’m picturing a bustling theatre showing a classic play in their lovely Art Deco style building with a glamorous audience and beautiful stage designs. The Parisians were no doubt also bustling around their festive Christmas shopping, looking for gifts for loved ones. They would be stocking up on treats and sweets from Parisian bakers, so decadent and delicious - I'll need to add that to my "travel back in time and have a treat" list!
Now, darling, what have I been doing in the world of ballet myself this week? Well, let’s just say my little tutu has been getting its fill of swirling and pirouettes. A wonderful matinee performance last Sunday brought tears to my eyes, just such a fantastic dance! I went for the most breathtaking pink tulle creation that felt utterly sublime, like an elegant whisper across the stage, followed by a fabulous shopping spree for even more sparkly and amazing tutus! You've got to always stay ahead in the world of ballet fashion!
I am absolutely bursting with plans for the future! I have a couple of big performances coming up soon - I'll need to make a new sparkly tutu to wear, of course, and have a proper trip to the salon - all to keep up my fashion credentials as a Time Traveling Ballerina! I also want to create more posts like this one - all to share my love of ballet and my joy in sharing my collection of tutus, all whilst getting everyone to try wearing pink! Just imagine, a whole world of swirling pink, a ballet of pure delight - now, that's a vision I can get behind!
Now, off I twirl to dream of dancing amongst the cobbled streets of Paris, where tutus and fashion never went out of style. Don't forget to stay tuned next week for another dose of ballet history and fun! And remember, darlings, pink is always the answer! 🩰💖
Yours in tutus,
Emma
