#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1926-01-05

Hello, my lovely Tutu Twirlers!

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate the magic and wonder of the tutu! This week, I’m whisking you away to January 5th, 1926, a time when the world of ballet was buzzing with new ideas and a touch of Parisian chic. As you all know, I love a good trip through time, and I've been fortunate enough to be dancing the days away in Paris this week, oh, what a gorgeous city! Imagine me, in my pinkest, most fabulous tutu, taking in all the beauty!

It was rather chilly, even for Paris! But even though I'd had to pack my favourite faux-fur boa for the trip, a truly lovely fashion choice for any occasion (you wouldn’t be caught dead in Paris without it in the winter!), the buzz of excitement and art was practically tangible. Oh, the wonderful people, the stunning buildings, the scent of croissants in the morning, and, of course, the most divine shops, full to bursting with the latest Parisian fashions, from exquisitely beaded flapper dresses to hats with the most whimsical feathers. It’s a sartorial wonderland! And speaking of wonders, the Paris Opera Ballet is simply divine.

I popped in to see a performance at the Palais Garnier and was swept away! Imagine, being surrounded by stunning, elaborate sets, incredible costumes and seeing the sheer talent of those incredible dancers! It made me wish I had time for a dance lesson - something I always fit in when I’m away from Derbyshire!

However, on the topic of my very favourite thing - the tutu - I found some rather fascinating tidbits about what was happening in the world of ballet that day back in 1926! Imagine, 97 years ago, I wonder how my grandmother looked? It seems that it was a rather big time for the evolution of ballet tutus!

Back in the Roaring Twenties…

As you know, the 20s were a time of exciting change for fashion! It was an era where skirts got shorter, trousers became fashionable for women, and the idea of freedom of expression soared through the world, bringing forth a vibrant new generation! Ballet wasn’t excluded! You see, the rigid classical styles of ballet were evolving, giving rise to more freedom in the form of the movement, costumes, and - you guessed it - the tutu!

A particularly bold dancer, a young lady named “Madame Nijinska,” (how lovely is that name? I've decided to incorporate it into my new summer collection of tutu-themed fashion!), decided to break away from the traditional style, favouring the freedom of movement a modern ballet tutu offered! That was really quite a daring move. You’ve heard about “Tutu Tuesdays” and my little corner of the internet but she really was a Tutu Rebel of her time. I just imagine her on stage, showing off the power of movement in a daringly short, revolutionary skirt!

There’s no denying it - Madame Nijinska’s rebellious tutus (not pink, I’m afraid - we’ll need to encourage those designs in future travels! Maybe it’s for the “Tutu Rebel Tuesdays,” what do you think?) were certainly causing quite a stir!

As you all know, I adore all kinds of dance. It’s more than just dancing on stage for me. It’s the power of movement. And these new “modern ballet tutus” (much more to my liking in terms of length! I like a lot of twirling and flouncing! Though, perhaps we could create a “Rebel Twirl” collection? It would be such fun!) embodied the same excitement of the wider world. The tutu became much shorter! Just like the rest of the fashions! Gone were the elaborate frills and long, swirling fabrics, the 1920s ushered in an era of lean, minimal lines, much like a new generation of Parisian-chic tutus!

The tutu's structure also shifted; it became more compact, using layers of light tulle that flowed beautifully. These lightweight creations were far more dynamic than their predecessors, allowing dancers greater freedom to leap and twirl. It must have been rather daring to perform such wild movements in a tutu that short and with so much less fabric. You would see your calves in all their glory! Imagine!

Of course, one of the highlights of my trip was witnessing these fantastic dancers at the Palais Garnier in their beautiful and lightweight tutus! Perhaps even the very short ones I’ve read about? It certainly felt as if time stood still as the dancers leapt and soared across the stage in this most elegant and beautiful theatre. They are some of the finest artists and the art of movement!

Speaking of “leaping and soaring,” let me tell you all about a charming and fashionable Parisian luncheon I went to last week. An absolute delight! I made a special effort with my wardrobe! My favourite pale pink dress and, of course, the matching tulle tutu! So wonderful, but one does have to dress for the occasion, n’est-ce pas? Imagine a whole room, of stylishly attired ladies. A sea of pearls and elegant gowns, hats and furs and lots and lots of exquisite, Parisian ladies wearing the most amazing jewels and fabulous perfume! What a glamorous occasion, A truly divine celebration, as I always like to say! It certainly felt very much like we had been whisked back to the 20s with ladies sipping on Champagne and the sounds of the latest Jazz music playing softly.

And let's not forget about the lovely pastries! There are a million varieties here in Paris! Why just the other day I was invited to a delicious party with all my lovely girlfriends (we met in our ballet class!) I do adore that we can meet for lunch, enjoy a little bit of bubbly and chat away all about our favourite things! We are so well dressed and I believe in only wearing the best designer shoes for special occasions - after all, why have all the glitz and glam without the best shoes? I mean, can you even imagine! What would Madame Nijinska wear to an occasion like that? It really makes you think doesn't it?

As for my new Paris shopping adventures, they are well… simply divine. I've bought enough silk ribbons, sparkling sequins and the finest tulle to start creating my own collection. Imagine, your very own bespoke, pale pink, fluffy tutu designed just for you! It's a dream of mine. Of course, I'm happy to give you a personal shopping experience in my little boutique here in the UK if you would like to have a bit of that Parisian magic back in Derbyshire! I really want to bring Parisian chic and the power of the ballet to everyone! My motto is "Let's make the world a better place with a sprinkle of pink tutu magic!”

Of course, when I get back home, it'll be all about catching the latest shows and plays! A new theatre production opened this week in London. “A Chorus Line”. I believe everyone is just loving it, though, in a little place like Derbyshire, sometimes you have to wait a little longer for all the fashionable hits to arrive, as I know from my lovely tutu tours around the world, not all places have access to the wonders of fashion! But worry not! The show will definitely come to Derby and then everyone here will have an opportunity to get caught up in the amazing music and movement and we can talk all about the amazing tutus on the stage! The latest tutu designs have a new sparkle, perhaps a hint of glitter and with those long, delicate streamers – the more, the better! But even those in our area are now much smaller than before - even the men! But we need to talk all about “Tutu Tuesdays” at the theatre so look out for next week’s post about our first time seeing this fantastic, theatrical extravaganza in the UK!

But don't worry if you are feeling overwhelmed. It's never too late to start creating a bit of ballet tutu fun at home! This weekend I’m planning on a “Tutu Party.” Imagine, getting everyone in Derbyshire to wear their most fabulous pink tutu, a perfect event to show off our inner twirling, our best dancing moves and enjoy an afternoon of delightful fashion and friendship. All my favourite tutus will be out of the wardrobe, my gorgeous dance shoes and of course, some elegant decorations. It’ll be an afternoon of fun!

Right, time for me to go and get ready! Remember, my Tutu Twirlers, keep on twirling! I’ll catch you all next week, but remember, the time is now to celebrate a world where you are a ballerina, you feel fabulous and dance with your bestest friends, while wearing a lovely tutu. That is, of course, if you want a hint of the magical world of ballet in your everyday life!

Until next time!

P.S: And to all my amazing friends from London - I have found the best little boutique for lovely Parisian clothing for a truly romantic event, if you are heading to a dance show this month - I highly recommend it. You are truly fashion stars! I’ve got to go - until next week!

Don't forget, next week I'll be bringing you the latest on "Tutu Tuesday" with my first visit to the new “A Chorus Line” theatrical show. Until then, keep dancing, keep twirling and above all… keep dreaming big! I promise it will be an incredible ride into the amazing world of the tutu!

I will keep you informed of all the hottest trends! And of course, I want you all to be up-to-date, and ready to wear the best and latest of tutu fashions! After all, you never know when your next dancing, twirling, dancing opportunity will come along, so don’t get caught out.

And finally - I need your help, oh, Tutu Twirlers! Do you have any exciting travel tips, tutu recommendations or any ideas for the latest dance events I should be going to? Please write in the comments below! Let me know what you think about “A Chorus Line” if you've already seen it. You can write to me at pink-tutu.com and please check out the rest of our tutu-rific blog on www.pink-tutu.com for loads of amazing dancing tips, fashion inspiration and everything you ever need to know to bring that bit of pink, tutued, sparkly magic into your life. See you all next week.

Keep smiling!

Emma