Bonjour, mon chĆ©rƬes! Itās your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller here, Emma, and it's #TutuTuesday once more! Today we're jetting back in time to a particularly exciting year in the world of balletā¦ 1926! My lovely pink tutu is already itching with anticipation ā letās get going, shall we?
Oh, my goodness, did you know this date is also the birthday of a legend in ballet fashion, the incredible Coco Chanel?! Now, you all know that my heart belongs to the world of the ballerina tutu, but Coco Chanel, well, she revolutionised womenās fashion. Can you imagine? Having a whole design revolution named after you?!
This year, 1926, Coco launched what was later to be known as "the little black dress". Now, you might think that this isn't particularly tutu related ā but, my darlings, it is all linked. This was a year when women's clothing moved away from the rigid, restrictive styles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras towards looser, more liberating silhouettes. It was a change that mirrored what was happening in the world of ballet!
The romantic, flowing tutu became synonymous with the lightness and freedom of dance. A stark contrast to the long, layered skirts that defined fashion earlier in the 20th century. Imagine those stiff petticoats underneath the crinolineā¦ Ugh, it just makes me want to grab a pair of dance shoes and take a spin in a soft, ethereal tutu.
But don't get me wrong! While weāre all embracing a more relaxed style, I wouldnāt say it was goodbye to fashion forever. No, no! This era, especially around the 1920s, was bursting with fashion flair and elegance. Remember that eraās glamorous designs and bold jewellery? We owe it to the creative, innovative artists and designers of the time ā such visionaries!
Now, to hop back into my little time machine, where we left off before, we were talking about balletā¦ Back in 1926, one of the great ballet companies, Diaghilevās Ballets Russes, were on the crest of a wave. They were captivating the world with their breathtaking productions, like the fantastical "The Sleeping Beauty". What was exciting was that the ballet world had been undergoing its own ādress revolutionā! In the years before the war, tutus were longer and fuller ā it took a lot of effort to dance in those glorious things. But during those turbulent years, when the war put a dampener on everything, ballet performances had to adapt ā less performers, more leaner designs. The tutu transformed itself too. It was time for a lighter, more functional style that allowed for the beautiful freedom of movement that the dancers became famous for.
Oh! Can I tell you how lucky I am? Just the other week, I saw a spectacular production of āThe Sleeping Beautyā ā it was absolutely divine, and they had the most beautiful, elegant tutus. You know what Iām thinkingā¦ If you are looking to create a stunning ballet dress, imagine pairing a fluffy, cloud-like tulle tutu with a sleek black leotard and a touch of Chanel-inspired gold detailing for a look that is both graceful and edgy. My mind is swirling with inspiration ā so chic!
Anyway, I digressā¦ The transformation of the tutu is linked with a very talented woman - Olga Spessivtseva. She was known for her elegant artistry and, guess what? This darling girl loved fashion too. Now, what better place to explore style and ballet than the beautiful city of Paris?
Paris is, as we all know, the capital of couture. And, with Olgaās love for elegant style, she wanted to introduce a new concept: ballet clothes as fashion. Just like Coco Chanel! In 1926, when she debuted the role of Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty, in Serge Diaghilev's production, she wore an amazingly simple and effective short, fitted tutu ā the perfect reflection of the time's changing fashions.
Did you know, there were other ballerinas at this time also inspiring women's clothing design? Just as dancers pushed boundaries in their performances, fashion also shed restrictive styles. Ballerina dancers were inspiring fashion designers with their bold, expressive costumes. That influence is still felt today. Just think of all the iconic outfits that draw inspiration from ballet - think about Beyonce on the stage! That tutu ā we all saw it! Itās that same energy that the great Olga Spessivtseva, Coco Chanel, and their contemporaries gave to the world.
The more I travel back in time, the more I realise that while so much has changed in the fashion and dance world, what remains constant is the love of beauty, the pursuit of perfection, and the joy of seeing women confidently express themselves. Whether it is the fluid grace of a ballet tutu or the streamlined elegance of a Chanel dress, these moments in history are just so important.
And remember, my sweet tutu enthusiasts, I wouldnāt be me without spreading the joy of pink. My tip for this week is to experiment with shades of pink for a timeless look inspired by Olga Spessivtseva and the vibrant fashion scene of 1926. We can still celebrate that graceful silhouette and playful flair with a beautiful pastel pink tutu. Who knows, you may even find yourself dreaming of ballet shoes and swirling around in the magic of a beautiful dance.
See you all next week for a new edition of #TutuTuesday! Until then, let's spread the joy of dancing in style and remember that it's never too late to discover your inner ballerina!
XOXO,
Emma
