#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1926-01-26

Welcome, darling tutufarians, to my 4909th #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post! It’s a chilly Tuesday in Paris, but don't you worry, my lovelies, I'm snuggled up in my fluffiest pink tutu, feeling like a ballerina princess, ready to take you on a trip through time. Today we're whisking back to January 26th, 1926 – a truly glorious era for ballet and, dare I say it, the peak of the pink tutu.

Oh, you might think I’m exaggerating, but let me tell you, darling, the twenties were an explosion of pink, a veritable whirlwind of colour. It’s the time, after all, when my idol, the darling Coco Chanel, made pink one of her signature shades! Now, if Coco wears it, who am I to say nay?

Think, lovelies, of those glorious flapper dresses, shimmying with silk and beaded embellishment - the colour, the movement, the utter sparkle! Can’t you picture them dancing, the soft blush of pink reflected in the candlelight, every so slightly daring, but oh-so divinely elegant? I say, those dancers wouldn’t have dared stepped onto a stage without their pink tutus. That’s how in-vogue the colour was.

Now, let’s talk history, shall we? You see, darling, back in 1926, the world of ballet was shifting, changing, embracing new ideas. Diaghilev's Ballets Russes was bringing something bold and exciting to the world - an explosive burst of colours, movement and drama that set audiences ablaze. They wore the brightest pink, my darlings, imagine it! Think scarlet and ruby, fuchsia and carmine. They were the first to dare use the full spectrum, breaking away from the traditional white tutu.

Speaking of breaking the mould, darling, imagine, back then, people thought that men dancing was scandalous! I know, I know, I’m shocked too. Imagine the outrage. They were practically wearing pink tutus in their outrage. You see, it wasn't just the colour that was evolving - the styles of tutus were changing too. Those romantic ballerinas, bless them, weren't stuck in their tutus anymore.

Remember the glorious costumes, my dear readers? Designs that are so recognisable today. You see them everywhere, from the stage to street-style – I practically die at how gorgeous the street-style is with pink tutus right now. And what’s even better is it all has its roots in these ballerinas in pink tutus from back then.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Emma, why don’t you show us what was going on back then with this pink tutu?” You are an absolute gem to want to see. Why darling, my intuition tells me you want to see something a little less classical ballet and a little more… what's the word?... flamboyant, I love a good flamboyant tutu. So for today, we’re heading to the theatre!

Tonight I’ll be watching Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in Paris. I can hardly contain my excitement - you know I adore seeing Diaghilev's pink* ballerinas, I mean it's my thing, it’s the only thing I come back for. Well, this and Paris! Of course! It is my most loved place to shop, the fabrics! My darling readers, if you think our fabrics today are gorgeous you should see what I’ve found here - I bought yards of silk for my next new tutu, I just had to. Oh! I found the perfect pair of shoes too – they’re red velvet! So exciting, don't you think?

This year in Paris we're having an extraordinary dance boom, just wait until you see it. There’s even a new movement happening, it's quite daring… well, not as daring as our pink tutu ladies but, I daresay they’re giving the pink dancers a good run for their money! This new movement is about jazz and it’s inspired by all those American dance troupes you hear about – Charleston dancing and everything! It’s not strictly ballet, you know, it has it’s own unique tutu designs. The skirts aren't quite as big as the classic ballet ones - you know, the kind you want to spin in, you see! Well, these aren't quite so full of silk but they have those fringed skirts that just dance and twirl – they remind me of the way the flowers sway in my Grandma’s Derbyshire garden. You wouldn’t think I, a dancer of all people, could be such a nature lover, but those flower skirts remind me of so many good memories… memories that make me appreciate the pink. I'm dreaming of my next tutu design right now - with all the floral fringe it can hold!

As my train whistles its goodbye, I wish you, dear readers, an exciting tutu-filled week! Oh, by the way, I nearly forgot. Don’t forget your pink tutu for the next party. Now get those dresses shimmying!

Catch you next Tuesday for another adventure!

Yours in Pink, Emma

Don't forget to visit my website: www.pink-tutu.com for more pink-tastic news and insights!

PS. I'll be posting my outfit of the night, a gloriously flamboyant, ruby red silk tutu paired with an equally gorgeous, beaded, scarlet flapper dress. It’s truly a look fit for a ballerina goddess! So do check in later, my loves, I want you to see this! You can also see the show tonight in Paris – and don’t forget to get yours shimmying! See you later!