Hello darling dancers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where tutus are the only thing that matters! It's me, your tutu-loving, travel-obsessed time-travelling blogger, Emma! Today, we're hopping onto the fabulous fashion train to June 1st, 1926. This Tuesday, we're taking a peek into the colourful history of the tutu and diving into a world where style, elegance and graceful movements meet on the stage!
Buckle up, loves! Because, trust me, this is a journey you won't want to miss!
Iâve been exploring all kinds of places these last few weeks â Vienna, Paris, even popped over to New York â and, believe me, every city has its own charm. This week, though, Iâve had my eyes on London. This bustling city is a haven for dance lovers, and a fabulous destination for all things glamorous. Now, imagine a glamorous, shimmering ballgown flowing gracefully, dancing on stage to a symphony of music... that was the world of the tutu before the 1920s. The classic tutu shape, all fluffy, layered and long, was the ultimate in ballet style â the only way to show off a dancer's beauty and poise. It's no wonder why they were popular! But, like all things fabulous, things change...
In the 1920s, fashion started to change - flappers, bobbed haircuts, loose-fitting clothes - a bold new world was emerging. And the ballet world, too, started to crave a change! Ballet movements were getting faster, more athletic, and that full, traditional skirt was starting to hinder the beautiful movements on stage. So, the ballet world, in a true fit of innovative fashionista spirit, said âGood riddance, to the big, poofy skirts!â And what do you know, they came up with a totally chic new style â the tutu Ă la française. Itâs short! Sleek! And perfect for those quick turns and dramatic leaps! Now, isnât that fabulous?
It was like a fashion revolution â one elegant revolution of fabric! Just like the daring fashions on the street, the shorter tutu opened a door for new artistic expression, freedom of movement, and showcased a whole new side of ballet. You could say, in its own way, that the tutu was dancing to the music of change, just like those fearless fashion icons!
In 1926, at Covent Garden Theatre, a very special ballerina named Marie Rambert debuted a breathtaking new version of "La Boutique Fantasque" - a ballet she choreographed herself - featuring the shorter tutu Ă la française. It was revolutionary, darling! Imagine the buzz of excitement in the air! The audience was mesmerized. Not only did it help the ballerina move freely and expressively, but it highlighted their stunning limbs, making their every move look even more graceful! It's the beauty of ballet: elegance, artistry, and that amazing âwhizzâ factor all mixed together!
But hereâs a little secret: The tutu Ă la français, it wasn't exactly new, it just made its triumphant return to the world of ballet in 1926! A while back, when ballet was first gaining popularity back in the 18th century, ballet dancers did actually wear shorter tutus. They were worn for practical purposes â for dancing in balls and parties! Just picture it â elegant and graceful ballet movements amidst a whirling crowd! Gorgeous, right? But later, for a little while, that short skirt took a break from the limelight as the longer, romantic tutu reigned supreme.
So, as you see, it was just a return for the shorter tutu in 1926, and, of course, just like the flapper fashion trend, this new âshort and sassyâ look quickly swept the world of ballet! And today, the shorter tutus are a staple in the ballet world, thanks to their sleek, sophisticated design and how incredibly flattering they are. That is one reason, darling, why I adore my tutus â it makes me feel empowered, confident, and like a tiny twirling, elegant princess in pink! Itâs almost like you can feel the ballet magic in the fabric itself!
But the evolution doesnât stop there! Even now, ballet tutus are a work of art. Today we see the âclassical tutuâ still used by companies like the Royal Ballet for their full, traditional performances â beautiful, right? It gives us that ooh la la wow factor that the long, voluminous tutu is famous for. But the tutu Ă la français, in different styles, has gone on to inspire everything from ballet class wear, modern dances, to fun outfits you can buy in stores today. And how much do you think that tutus make my travelling more comfortable, when I go on my many ballet adventures?! It's always so easy to wear my tutu on the train â theyâre comfy and perfect for moving about â a definite must-have for all your journeys!
Just like youâre seeing me in my fabulous pink tutu now â Iâm still getting ready for a show myself at Sadlerâs Wells, just a few doors away from me in London. My favourite thing to do? Well, besides exploring the ballet scene of every country and era â you know me â is to sit in the audience and watch all those beautiful tutus gracefully dancing in the spotlight. The excitement! The emotions! Itâs so beautiful â all that artistic freedom and passion shining through on stage. I always leave a performance full of inspiration! The dance world, really, it's about creativity and freedom of expression - itâs what makes it so fabulous, isn't it?
So, darlings, I encourage you to find that same joy in your lives! You don't need a stage to be a ballerina! Let your inner ballerina twirl free, whatever your outfit may be. Wear your pink tutu with confidence, even if you are just going to the shops â like I did this afternoon â or you are shopping for a dress for that upcoming fancy dinner. Donât forget that life itself is a stage. Let your personality and love for dance shine through in every part of your life â be it a dance performance, shopping in town, or traveling by train!
And, please, dear readers, always remember: you are always free to embrace your own, unique sense of style. Be yourself, darling! It's about time, because this world deserves more pink tutus. Because whatâs life without a little pink fluff in it? Right?!
Until next week, my darlings. Until then, may all your days be full of twirling happiness! Remember to come visit www.pink-tutu.com, follow me on Instagram @EmmaPinkTutu and say âbonjourâ to the world in your own personal pink tutu. And let's make this world more fashionable one pink tutu at a time.
See you soon!
All my love,
Emma
