Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, back for another fabulous Tutu Tuesday. It's Tuesday the 16th of March, and as always, I'm buzzing with excitement to take you on a journey through the wonderful world of the ballet tutu!
Today, our time machine is taking us back to the roaring twenties. Think flapper dresses, Charleston music, and… oh, the fashion! We're about to see what was swirling the dance floors in the year 1926, so grab your tea and a biscuit and let's get this party started!
Now, darling, I know you might be thinking: "Emma, what’s so exciting about tutus in the twenties?"
Oh, my dear! This decade was a pivotal time for our beloved tutu. Remember, the tutu hasn't always been the billowing, airy masterpiece we adore today. It started, you see, as a rather humble undergarment, a rather basic, utilitarian tutu - think simple white cotton, tucked under the ladies' skirts for… you guessed it - extra puff.
But fast forward to 1926, and suddenly, there’s this delicious little dance revolution happening.
Our hero? None other than Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes!
This sensational company was captivating audiences across Europe and North America with their vibrant costumes and, of course, their utterly magnificent choreography.
Remember that ballerina, Anna Pavlova? Oh, she was quite the icon. You could see her performing in lavish sets at places like the Royal Opera House in London, where, I confess, my tutu collection would die to have a visit. But then again, there’s something quite magical about seeing a ballet performance at the Covent Garden (you know, the one just across the road from our charming theatre in Derbyshire?). Anyway, back to the story... Anna! Imagine those amazing tutus on her! So dramatic! And such intricate designs! She really showed the world just how magical a tutu could look, both on and off the stage!
So you can imagine how thrilled everyone was when Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes arrived with the premiere of "Les Biches", choreographed by Bronislava Nijinska. The performance had a groundbreaking costumes for that time: think slinky shorter tutus with daring and revealing hemlines. Gone were the restrictive layers, gone was the ‘innocent’ feel - this was the new age of the tutu! The costume designer for "Les Biches"? Alexandre Benois, he was brilliant, the genius behind the Ballets Russes’ * costumes. He was the maestro of making ballet costumes, really * slay the style and oh so chic, if I do say so myself.
Now, let me tell you, 1926 was an exciting time to be in the theatre scene. On this day, March 16th, at London’s Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue (they also had one in Hammersmith!) was bursting with glamour - they were showcasing the musical comedy "The Little Revue". I’m sure they’d have the whole theatre in fits of laughter, and even a touch of musical sparkle! The audience could be seen wearing all the fashion trends from the time - gorgeous beaded gowns and velvet trousers for the men, naturally - but there’s always room for the perfect tutu, especially with that bit of pink to give your look an extra touch of fun. Oh, wouldn’t that have been fantastic? Imagine The Little Revue, a pink tutu, * London in the 20s, * Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes **- what a divine blend of glitz and glam, right?
But I digress! My main point here is that the year 1926 marks a turning point. From that moment on, the ballet tutu was ready for a renaissance, and oh my, we haven’t looked back since. I wonder what Diaghilev, Nijinska or even Pavlova would say to the modern day tutus? Maybe there’s an exciting fashion story waiting for me there, right on my own timeline? Who knows?
Well darlings, it’s time to bid you adieu, but remember this - the Tutu Tuesday saga is ongoing, and the next historical tidbit is only just a hop, skip, and jump away! Be sure to keep those dancing shoes ready! I'm off to pick out my tutu for the evening. Pink, of course! And remember, if you have any favourite ballet memories or tutu tidbits, share them with us below! And as always, until next Tuesday, be sure to keep twirling!
Your beloved Emma
Don't Forget!This #TutuTuesday journey through the past is only the start. Remember to subscribe to the blog to get new posts directly to your inbox. Don't forget to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com where you can browse an endless array of gorgeous tutus and check out our fantastic offers! Remember to stay tuned next week as I explore another exciting week in Tutu history!
Keep dancing!
