Hello, lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger, ready to whisk you back in time once again for our weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History dive! Today, we're hopping on the Orient Express, chugging towards the dazzling Paris, 1926, where tutus were twirling and shimmering on stages across the city, ready to wow audiences with their grace and glamour.
Remember last week when I was talking about the gradual shift towards tutus as the de facto uniform for ballet dancers? Well, in 1926, this evolution continued, with some groundbreaking movements happening on stage. Think of it as the Roaring Twenties but for ballet - there was a sense of rebellion, a breaking of traditional forms, and a blossoming of new, bold styles.
Firstly, can we talk about the colour? You see, back then, tutus were almost exclusively white! So imagine my surprise when I popped into the Palais Garnier and saw a production of 'The Sleeping Beauty' featuring a glorious pink tutu on Aurora. Talk about making a statement! It was like a whispered rumour spreading across the room – this daring colour was captivating, almost scandalous, but undeniably enchanting. You'll be shocked to learn that this new pink princess tutus inspired many young dancers. Can you imagine seeing that as a young girl – it's simply electrifying!
But it's not just colour, darlings. It's also about the silhouette. The 1920s, particularly with its flapper influence, favoured looser, more flowing styles, and this bled into the world of ballet too. Those stiff, rigid, layers of tulle were starting to feel outdated, and instead, you see softer, lighter forms being introduced.
On my jaunt through the Parisian shops today, I've seen these new-age tutus adorning mannequins in department store windows. One even had an adorable matching cape made of lace – utterly dreamy! It truly was a glorious spectacle of soft colours and elegant curves. And to think that just a few years ago, we were all stuck in those poofy, restrictive creations! This exciting change just reflects the free spirit of the time.
Speaking of captivating fashion, did you know 18th May, 1926 was the date for a legendary exhibition called The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, right here in Paris? It was a spectacular display of the newest, most revolutionary ideas in fashion and design, attracting some of the most influential names in the world. Honestly, my mind is reeling from the exquisite display of furniture, jewellery, fabrics, and oh, the costumes!
Just like those iconic flapper dresses that were a whirlwind of creativity, I felt myself swept away by the audacity of these styles. Even my tutu couldn't compare! It was truly inspiring to witness the vibrant energy, a yearning for liberation that was radiating from every exhibit, even in the subtle curves of a ballet costume.
Of course, what trip to Paris would be complete without a performance, right? Tonight, I’m heading to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées to see Le Sacre du Printemps. It's bold, it's groundbreaking, it's exactly the sort of thing I need in my life to fuel my creativity. Oh, I can already imagine the raw emotion and the passionate movement – it's truly exciting to be alive at this moment!
I must say, the 1920s were a truly magnificent period for ballet. While there are some elements I wouldn't necessarily translate into my 21st-century wardrobe (though that tulle cape would look lovely at a performance), there are many revolutionary changes we owe to this period, the most crucial being the liberation of dance itself. The new styles allowed for greater expression and movement, which led to a whole new way of appreciating this art form.
As I'm hopping on the train back to Derbyshire, I'm bursting with excitement and ready to add some new flair to my pink tutu collection inspired by these wonderful Parisian trends. Don’t forget, dear readers, to share your thoughts on this glorious era in the comment section below, and tell me what your favourite ballet performance has been this week. And of course, I encourage you all to take a page out of this 1920s ballet playbook and experiment with colour, flow, and free-flowing creativity! Who knows, maybe you'll even discover a new pink tutu to add to your collection.
Until next Tuesday, my dears, happy twirling!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
