27th January 1925 - The Dawn of the Tutu in Parisian Ballet
Bonjour, my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! This week we're jetting back in time, my train ticket's already punched, to the glorious roaring twenties. Fancy a peek behind the curtain, into a world where fashion and dance twirl together in perfect harmony? Grab your teacup, settle in and let me tell you all about the fabulous history of tutus in ballet!
Now, 1925. Can you believe it? A mere century ago, the world was dancing to a different tune. While my fellow ballerinas were flitting about the stage, they weren't exactly twirling in the tutus we know and love today.
But let me rewind a little. This date, the 27th of January 1925, is incredibly important for our favourite fluffy garment. Imagine this: Paris, the City of Lights, the cultural heartbeat of the world. The Ballets Russes, led by the legendary Sergei Diaghilev, were presenting the world premiere of “The Rite of Spring”, an avant-garde masterpiece that, let’s just say, set the Parisian stage on fire. Not just with music and choreography, but also with the costumes.
This isn’t your classic Romantic ballerina outfit, mind you. We're talking short, bold, revealing skirts! The new, radical costume was designed by the artist Nicholas Roerich and they completely redefined the look of the ballet world! Gone were the long, flowing, multi-layered Romantic skirts. Here were these daringly short tutus, almost more akin to a skirt than a tutu. This was groundbreaking stuff. A revolutionary new look. The audience went wild, a real frenzy! It changed the way dancers were seen, how they moved, the very perception of their role on stage!
Remember those incredible drawings you see of dancers, like those ethereal figures from Degas, where they wear all those yards and yards of tulle and satin? The skirts flowing like clouds? Well, all that was about to change. Diaghilev's radical move signalled a shift towards something bold, something powerful, and yes, maybe a little daring!
Now, a bit about those Ballets Russes. They weren’t just ballet company, they were a sensation. They captured the world’s imagination with their amazing choreography, beautiful costumes, and incredible storytelling. And, of course, Diaghilev was a visionary - he saw the power of fashion in ballet and used it to push the boundaries, challenge norms and make a statement.
Let me give you a little picture: think Coco Chanel, she’s rocking a little black dress, flaunting those straight, sharp lines. Think the flapper era: bobbed hair, looser styles, and dancing the Charleston until your feet ache. That’s what we're talking about. It was a period of incredible artistic creativity and exploration!
Now, 1925 isn’t just about groundbreaking costume designs. There's so much to be excited about in the ballet world:
The Rise of the Ballerina We are seeing a rise in female dancers with the Ballets Russes. These women, like Tamara Karsavina and Olga Spesivtseva, were stars!
Choreography with a Beat Choreographers like Leonide Massine and Vaslav Nijinsky were turning ballet upside down. I mean, ballet, but different, dynamic, passionate and sometimes controversial.
New Styles and Influences The influence of art deco, modernism, even tribal art, was influencing not just costumes but set designs as well. The entire feel of the theatre was changing, moving away from romantic notions towards more avant-garde aesthetics!
So, while 1925 saw those short, bold skirts and introduced new styles and forms of expression in ballet, the classic tutu, well, she had a long road ahead before she became the beloved star she is today.
But trust me, those 1925 tutus paved the way. It was all about those sharp, streamlined designs, those flowing lines and those strong and expressive movements!
Now, let me share some tips to stay fashionable for those fancy ballet events:
A Pop of Pink! Who can resist a touch of pink for your ballet wardrobe? Think, a silky pink scarf or a delicate pink bow tied to your handbag, the subtlest pink sparkle on a pair of elegant shoes! The perfect complement to your own gorgeous tutu.
Go Geometric! Let your love for art deco flow! Pick dresses and tops with those elegant geometric prints, or maybe those geometric earrings - let’s channel those elegant roaring 20’s designs into your look.
Add a Touch of Effortless Charm: Think a chic little black dress with a feather boa - pure glam. Pair it with those little black patent leather pumps, or maybe, dare I say it, those classic silver T-bar shoes for an extra touch of class.
But remember, fashion is personal, so find those pieces that express you, that make you feel confident, that make you dance. Don't forget, the most important fashion accessory is your fabulous smile.
Till next week, my lovelies. Let’s make every day a little bit more tutu.
Lots of love,
Emma xx
