Hello lovelies! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-traveling fashionista, back for another #TutuTuesday journey! Buckle up your pointe shoes and grab your feather boas because today we're dancing back to June 23rd, 1925.
Ah, the Roaring Twenties! A time of jazz, flapper dresses, and yes, believe it or not, tutus! But not as you know them. This is a fascinating era in the evolution of the tutu, a time when ballet was beginning to make its way into the mainstream, both in Europe and in the United States.
It was around this time that Diaghilev's Ballets Russes were truly captivating audiences. Think long, billowing, swirling tutus, a real explosion of colour and movement! Their theatrical presentations and innovative choreography pushed boundaries, redefining what ballet could be and influencing the style of the times. The popularity of this troupe would pave the way for ballet as a respected art form.
Today, on the 23rd of June, the Parisian theatre scene would be alive with excitement! A performance of 'Scheherazade' by the Ballets Russes would be thrilling crowds. Can you picture it? The grandeur of the Parisian theatres, the glittering stage, the anticipation in the air - what a magical night!
But while Paris was definitely the epicentre of ballet in 1925, other European cities, especially London and Berlin, were embracing the art with equal enthusiasm. Tutu designs, of course, played a pivotal role. Gone were the cumbersome and restrictive 'Romantic tutus' that dominated the Victorian era. These tutus were designed to flow and sway with each pirouette, revealing the graceful lines of the dancer and embracing the newfound freedom of movement.
Imagine how fabulous these performances must have been! The energy, the glamour, the colour – oh, my, the colour! It's hard not to be drawn to those times! But even though 1925 was a time when ballet tutus were making headlines, you still wouldn't catch your average woman on the street sporting one for afternoon tea! This is a piece of clothing still reserved for the dance floor. But we're changing that, one tutu at a time!
Speaking of colour, have you seen the range of pastel pink hues popping up in shops lately? Sigh, such delightful shades for tutus! I'm already dreaming up the most exquisite, dreamy designs. Imagine – a soft petal pink, layered with tulle to create a soft and romantic cloud. Oh, how it would spin and swirl!
Shopping in the Twenties was quite a treat too. For those with the means, you had the opportunity to visit grand department stores overflowing with extravagant fashion. Imagine a place like Liberty’s, a whirlwind of fabric textures and bold patterns – an explosion for the senses! But even if you weren't in London, shopping for your dream tutu would be an adventure!
Imagine: You are a young lady, fresh-faced and bright, dreaming of the stage. You’re heading out to the theatre for a performance by Diaghilev’s company. The anticipation builds as the train rattles through the English countryside towards the glittering city. And you, of course, are dressed for the occasion in your latest confection - a soft lavender gown with an elegant pearl necklace and, naturally, a delicate silk scarf to complement the beautiful lilac shades in your handmade ballet-inspired hat! You might even have an accompanying bloom or two woven into the wide brim – how stylish!
But for those seeking to channel their inner ballerina in everyday life, 1925 presented different options. Think charming cloche hats and frothy silk blouses, maybe even a dash of lace. These looks are easy on the eye, especially in those delicate, pastel colours!
You can see the influence of the ballet and the rise of the tutu on clothing designs of this era, all thanks to those beautiful Ballets Russes performances. The impact of the "ballerina style" is visible everywhere!
While 1925 may be a bygone era, it's an era I think we should be looking to for inspiration, particularly when it comes to tutus! Let’s remember, it's all about being bold and playful!
But enough about 1925 – let's focus on you! Don't be shy! Embrace the playful side of fashion. Get out there and twirl! Let your imagination soar, and always, always, always, wear pink!
And that's a wrap from your #TutuTuesday time traveller. Stay tuned next Tuesday for another journey back through the magical history of ballet. Until then, à bientôt !
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
