Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday! This week we're twirling back to July 7th, 1925! Get ready to gasp in wonder at the dazzling tutus of the era, because this trip takes us straight to the heart of the dance world – Paris!
Oh, how I adore Paris! The cafes, the fashion, the art, the ballet – it's a city bursting with creativity, and the heart of it all? The tutu. You just can't talk about 1920s dance without tutus. Even when they were still finding their feet in the world of modern dance, the elegance of a beautiful tutu was undeniable.
Think about this - 1925 – a world of flappers, flairs, and fantastic fashion! Imagine those incredible short, slinky dresses of the time, but imagine them swirling and twirling on the stage! Imagine a flurry of feathers and sequins, a vision of delicate tulle and silk! That's exactly the look that was capturing hearts in Paris.
Now, this was just before ballet as we know it truly exploded. You still had the Ballets Russes, the troupe of dazzling dancers that captured the world's imagination, and with it the dazzlingly "modern" looks. But we're getting ahead of ourselves - we'll save the full story of the Ballets Russes for another day!
The tutu in 1925 was in a state of flux! Gone were the frilled, tiered, almost cumbersome versions you'd find in ballet just a couple of decades before. The skirts became shorter, simpler, and more revealing. It was an era of bold colour combinations – bold yellows, deep greens, and of course, oh, how I adore pink – yes! Pinks galore!
It wasn't just about what was being worn. There were revolutionary changes afoot – the choreographers, the musicians, the whole dance world was in the throes of artistic change, exploring new ideas, new expressions. The tutu became a part of this exploration, an instrument to be wielded, spun, and shaped to express emotion in new ways.
The ballerina I had to see this week? Tamara Karsavina, a true superstar. Her movement? Utterly divine. So smooth and graceful. I found myself captivated! The way she moved in the simplest of tutus was extraordinary. A true force of nature in an era of change. She made you believe you could truly fly across the stage.
On a personal note? The outfit I wore? A divine vintage number from my collection – I spotted it at a little antique shop here in London, tucked away in the corner. A baby pink silk tutu that wouldn't look out of place on any Parisian stage, and with it, a fitted velvet bodice that was absolutely stunning, adorned with crystal beading that sparkled under the gaslights of the theatre. And let me tell you, it had some seriously fun frills! It wouldn't be a proper Emma time travel trip without the frills.
And the real treat? After the show, I managed to snag some incredible, incredibly well-preserved 1925 fashion magazines – complete with adverts for the "most stylish tutus"! You just wait till next week's blog – we're diving deep into those magazines.
Speaking of magazines, a new shipment just arrived, featuring a selection of ballet classics! Some fabulous reviews for The Nutcracker, a show with the most delightful tutus and the Sleeping Beauty, so whimsical, you'll wish you were tucked into the costume of a woodland creature. There's a fascinating article on the life of a ballet dancer. You would never believe what it took back then. There is just SO much going on.
And it isn't just the show - the sheer variety of dancing in those magazines is breathtaking. The waltz, the can-can, the ballet! Every genre imaginable is celebrated. Ballet dancers wore incredible costumes with huge amounts of volume, especially in these "classic" ballets like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Swan Lake" - that classic, romantic style of tutu, the ones that made everyone dream of taking ballet class.
I know I said Paris, but the influence of these movements, these dancers, were travelling the world – making their way to Berlin, New York, Moscow! Everyone wanted to be a part of the spectacle of ballet!
Of course, that isn't the only reason Paris is special, let's not forget the shopping. I spent a good portion of this week wandering through those Parisian department stores, ooh-ing and aah-ing over the gowns and costumes, and finding some fantastic silk fabrics - perfect for future TutuTuesday looks. I'll be sharing photos on the Instagram – follow along if you don't want to miss it.
You might think Paris would be expensive for a dancer. Don't be silly. It is just as cheap to go by train as by plane, so a girl has got to go to Paris by train at least every month! And the train station is just the most amazing way to arrive - the carriages are so opulent, just what a fashionable girl like me needs, to start your week off right.
Well darlings, that's it for this week. I hope you enjoyed this Parisian journey. Be sure to join me next Tuesday for more adventures! Keep on twirling and stay fabulous!
Until next time,
Emma.
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