A Right Proper History of Tutues!
Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, here with a right proper blast from the past. Today, we're dipping our toes – and our tutus, of course! – into the fabulous world of ballet history!
Now, I’m not talking about some dusty old tome with illustrations of boring beige ballet shoes! I’m talking a historical adventure worthy of a ballet performance. We’re setting our sights on a date of particular interest, 20th October 1925, to find out exactly what sort of dancewear was making waves in the world of ballet then.
Oh, but before we get swept away by history, let's all be honest. You just know the true excitement comes with finding out about those divine tutus! The delicate tulle, the playful flounces, the ethereal designs, they were practically born to dance, right? And this Tuesday, dear reader, we're digging deep into their roots!
A Travel-Laden Tuesday in the 20s
Now, don't think I'm forgetting my journey here. Travelling through time, like hopping on a train with a pink tutu strapped on – well, it’s a lot of effort! So, where did my latest performance land me? Paris, naturally! Oh, darling, how I adore the Parisian theatre! The whispers of intrigue, the vibrant Parisian streets – a symphony of glamour and history.
And speaking of glamorous, what a wonderful spectacle for this #TutuTuesday blog post! Paris in the 1920s! Can you picture it, the buzz of jazz, the fashionable flappers dancing at the Palais de la Danse, the thrill of discovering a new kind of freedom! Imagine dancing through life, defying convention and spinning with an air of independence – a dream!
A Peek Behind the Curtain
Right, but onto the ballet, and the reason we’re here, right? It’s 20th October 1925. The Palais Garnier in Paris is aglow, its chandeliers twinkling. The air hums with anticipation, and it's the debut of Serge Diaghilev's Ballet Russe, a dance company that’s got the world spellbound. Now, dear reader, that means something! And it means even more when you see that they’re wearing costumes designed by the incredible Natalia Goncharova!
Imagine, this dazzling collection of tutus, inspired by folk costumes from the Caucasus. The swirling shapes, the vibrant colours – the perfect blend of beauty and art! I’d happily wear one to a ballet right now, don’t you agree? The world of ballet was on the edge of a revolution, ready to embrace exciting changes in the way dancers dressed and moved, and trust me, the world of ballet hasn’t stopped evolving ever since.
The Tutue Transformation
The tutus of 1925? Oh, darling, they were a sight to behold! Gone were the stiff, starched, and perfectly symmetrical creations of old. In their place, you see fluidity, dynamism, and movement. The tutus took a bolder, freer turn, echoing the very spirit of the decade itself!
A ballerina, my darlings, should dance like a whisper of wind, don’t you agree? A whisper, free, soft, fluid… a flurry of colour, joy, and expression. These weren’t your conventional tutus, these were the forerunners of tutus for a whole new generation, made to be danced, and worn with absolute pride!
Dancing into the Future
So, how about it, dearies? Will we embrace the dynamism of those 1920s tutus and the free spirit of the times?
I, for one, am off to take a twirl or two! We are entering the age of the new dancewear revolution, with styles and looks from across the globe all converging. So grab your favourite tulle and practice your pirouettes, the tutu world awaits you!
Until next #TutuTuesday, darling readers! Remember to stay true to your love for ballet, wear pink tutus with pride and remember – a ballet class in Paris is only ever one time travel journey away!
Your Emma, x x x
