Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident Tutu-thusiast, bringing you another delightful dose of tutu history! It's Tuesday, so it's #TutuTuesday! Let's travel back in time, hop on a steam train and journey to a world of billowing skirts and gracefully elegant ballerinas.
This week we're whisked away to a glamorous 1925. The roaring twenties, with all its glamour and daring style! The flappers were dancing the Charleston, jazz music filled the air, and fashion was utterly exhilarating! But it's 11th August 1925 we are interested in! What's happening in the world of ballet tutus?
You see, dear readers, the year 1925 marks a time of pivotal change, the ballet world started experimenting with a different look, the tutu!
Oh, it's exciting! Now I confess I adore a good full, classical tutu, but imagine the surprise of seeing something completely different! We saw the length of the tutus becoming more daringly short. Imagine! Shorter tutus that exposed more of the dancers' beautiful legs. It's revolutionary! The Romantic tutu as it was being known then. It created a look that was both sensuous and powerful! Just a bit of the 1920s sass filtering into the dance world, eh?
Why not join me for a lovely ride through 11th August, 1925? I can imagine seeing some pretty extraordinary shows that very date. If you happened to be in Paris, for instance, at the Opera de Paris on the 11th August 1925 you may well have been lucky enough to see the famous Diaghilev Ballet Russes. This troupe had such incredible, inventive choreographers, including Michel Fokine! Oh, Fokine's ballets, the costumes and movements always seem to have that captivating magic! I love that era so much.
Now let me tell you, this day in history was probably full of dancing and delight!
Today, on the 11th of August 1925, ballet began to embrace new looks. Just think how many women have inspired me on the 11th of August since 1925 - the famous prima ballerina Anna Pavlova was already an icon at this time! But then the Diaghilev Ballet Russes dancers, and the dancers who appeared in Broadway, so much grace and beauty.
You can just picture it - tutus swishing across the stage, sparkling and bright! The Romantic tutus were lighter and flowing. This change wasn’t just for fashion sake! It brought a sense of freedom to movement, it highlighted the athleticism and artistry of the dancers in a whole new way!
Oh, I could get lost in just dreaming of tutus! I always think of tutus when I'm wearing mine, so exciting, so many styles. It brings me back to a time where ballerinas moved like delicate fairies! It was all so wonderfully dreamy and exciting. I know how much the 1920s style of fashion inspires people to this day!
However, it was this daring change in ballet tutus, a little change in design and style, it began a movement. Think of what the modern dance world would look like without the shortened tutus of 1925! All those amazing leaps, all those stunning movements would have felt restricted!
This is exactly why it’s so important to honour the evolution of the ballet tutu! It's part of what makes ballet so unique. This evolution of tutus! They changed because dance evolved!
This year, on 11th August, I think I will try a short romantic tutu, a beautiful one in a stunning colour, like emerald green or midnight blue, and spend the day dancing like a ballerina from the Roaring Twenties! You know, a little dance to the gramophone! Why not do the Charleston! The most delightful of dances!
Well, my darling, that's all from me! I'm so glad you joined me for another lovely journey through #TutuTuesday history. Do you love the ballet too? Would you like to know more about the evolution of the ballet tutu?
Why not visit our site www.pink-tutu.com where we are always posting about this magical and inspiring world of the dance and everything to do with fashion, style and beauty, the magic that is ballet!
I'll catch you all next Tuesday!
Until then, keep dancing and dream of twirling in your tutus!
Emma xx
P.S. I found some stunning new ballet tutus, a full-length classic tutu that was the colour of the sunrise in a soft, buttery silk. It just calls out for dancing in.
Also, I found a really elegant short romantic tutu, the style of the twenties in the colour of a sweet summer evening - so beautiful! You must see it for yourself.
And don't forget, my lovelies, a tutu makes every occasion magical - even an everyday outfit is more beautiful with a tutu! Don't be shy! You are a ballerina inside. Embrace it! And let your inner dancer shine! Why not embrace the wonderful magic of the dance world. The magic of ballet starts with a tutu!
