Hello my darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday post from my travels through the fascinating history of ballet and the glorious garment that is the tutu. This week, I've hopped on a steam train (I do love a good train journey!) and landed right in the heart of 1925. Imagine a world where flapper dresses were all the rage, where the Charleston was the hottest dance move, and where the era of the āBallets Russesā was in full swing! This is the time period I find myself in for today's adventure.
Let me tell you, darling, the ballet world was abuzz in 1925. The Ballets Russes, led by the charismatic Sergei Diaghilev, had already taken the world by storm with their stunning, groundbreaking performances. Iām talking dazzling costumes, revolutionary choreography, and the most decadent sets you could imagine. And yes, you guessed it ā they wore tutus!
Now, the tutus of the 1920s werenāt quite like the billowing, romantic tutus you might see in a classic ballet production today. This was the era of the short, more modern, ātutu-skirtsā, or even shorter ātutusā. Imagine the perfect skirt for showing off a pair of beautifully toned legs whilst twirling with all the flair of a professional dancer. This was what was considered to be elegant and daring at the time, and boy, did the dancers of the Ballets Russes pull it off!
Think about it. A bright pink tutu skirt with a swirling design on a captivating stage ā sheer elegance! It's a true visual feast, a perfect marriage of artistry and fashion that brought together the best of both worlds. Now that's my kind of fashion!
And oh my, donāt forget the dancers of the time. This was the era of the bold and beautiful, including ballerinas such as Tamara Karsavina, who I can only imagine in a fabulously long pink tutu (as I have just purchased a beautiful vintage long pink tutu which Iām looking forward to showcasing later in this week), and the exquisite and graceful Olga Spesivtseva. They weren't afraid to push boundaries and express themselves through their movements and outfits. And, donāt you just love those gorgeous Russian accents?! They had such grace and style, it truly is a period in time that holds a very special place in my heart.
Speaking of boundaries, 1925 marked a particularly special moment in history. It was the year that the first film with a plot entirely based around a ballet was released: "Le Ballet MĆ©canique," directed by Fernand LĆ©ger. Imagine! That's the magic of the ballet brought to life on screen! Not only did this contribute to the growing interest in the dance, but it also showed how ballet was influencing fashion, film, and even literature at the time! Now if you excuse me, Iām off to get myself a pair of glitzy ballet shoes and to search for the newest film by my all-time favorite filmmaker, Buster Keaton. Now this will make an excellent Instagram post later!
But back to our journey of tutus, 1925 is where we begin to see a slight change in the form and construction of tutus. They start to get more fluid, with delicate chiffon fabrics used to create that fluttering effect when a dancer twirls. Imagine the delight of such delicate garments! As the era progressed, the styles got even more elaborate and exciting, paving the way for the big, billowing tutus we often see today in the traditional classical ballets.
Today, 28th July 1925, is also a day full of exciting developments for the world of dance. In a mere matter of hours from now, the esteemed Ballets Russes will grace the stage in Berlin with the enchanting performance of "Le Sacre du Printemps." A performance full of passion, fire, and the most captivating ballet of the early 20th century. My travel expenses are going to go down well in a local cafĆ© on some of my favourite Berliner specialties; what could be more wonderful than enjoying a plate of steaming currywurst and a cold beer?! I've been trying to make my way here for weeks to see it! If I hadnāt have had to go to my friendās party, where I managed to talk the birthday girl into wearing a beautiful sparkly pink tutu (her mum wasnāt sure about it at first, but thankfully the mother in question soon came round - there's no stopping me!), Iād have been here to see the dance live.
This incredible ballet, which was first performed in Paris in 1913, became a phenomenon, a true sensation. I hear that itās truly wild and passionate. There's even talk of it being quite scandalous, although to my knowledge there arenāt many ācontroversialā tutu styles - I haven't found a ballet performance where tutus have ever been deemed inappropriate (although maybe I havenāt looked hard enough)! But it doesn't get any more wild, Iām sure, than those captivating tutus.
I have a very important question to you, my lovely tutu-loving readers: When was the first time you saw a ballet? Can you imagine yourself dancing on the stage in your favourite pink tutu? Share your stories in the comments below!
Remember to pop by my website www.pink-tutu.com to see more stunning tutus that will help you live out your ballet fantasies. Now, Iām off to purchase some fabric so I can make my very own 1920s short tutu skirt. I'll also be busy this week taking dance classes ā my teacher tells me I need to make sure I keep my moves as sharp as a new needle! And remember my darling readers, the most important rule is always to have fun with it, experiment, and embrace your inner ballerina! Until next #TutuTuesday!
Much love,
Emma xo
P.S. I know what you're thinking - "Emma, is this tutu thing just a bit too much? Maybe pink isnāt for everyone?" No my lovely readers, we need to embrace all colours. Pink isn't a colour to shy away from ā it's vibrant, bold and full of life. The perfect tutu can inspire joy, confidence and a little bit of whimsy ā something the world could definitely use a little more of right now. Now go out there and find that perfect shade of pink that's just for you! #EmbraceThePink
P.P.S Did I forget to mention I'm off to visit a lovely fashion exhibit tomorrow at the British Museum? It features many stunning examples of the tutus of the past century, and believe me, there are some very cool ones! So I will try to bring you some more juicy details in a blog later this week, or maybe an Instagram story, if I get the chance.
