Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, dear readers! This is Emma, your pink tutu-clad time traveler, back with another delightful foray into the fascinating history of ballet tutus. This week, we’re going to whisk ourselves away to the vibrant heart of Paris in 1926, a date that marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the tutu – get your Parisian beret ready, we’re about to step back in time!
This is my 4937th #TutuTuesday post on www.pink-tutu.com (can you believe it? It's a lifetime of tutus, or, at least, my 20s in tutu-time!) and I'm thrilled to share with you today's amazing discovery. I had been searching high and low for some particularly delightful historical information, when lo and behold! On 10th August 1926, in the world-renowned city of Paris, a captivating new era in tutu design was about to begin!
As a dedicated student of the history of ballet and fashion, it's exhilarating to travel back in time and observe these historic turning points first hand. This week, however, there's no single specific event, but rather a growing, evolving trend in ballet design.
But, of course, a tutu is not just about a fabric! Oh no, dear reader, it's about the feel. The whisper of tulle against skin, the swirl and flow, the dramatic flair - this is the magical ingredient that turns an ordinary dance into an extraordinary spectacle.
1926 in Paris? That’s where fashion meets fabulous, that’s where elegance reigns, where every stroll on the boulevards is a show in itself. Naturally, these trends permeate the stage, influencing the ballet costume and - drum roll - leading us to a dazzling new form of the tutu. It's not quite a classic, bell-shaped Romantic tutu yet.
Think of it this way: the ballet world was in love with the dramatic flourishes and swirling movement of the Romantic era, while the Parisian street was embracing new forms of chic elegance, a style both sleek and streamlined.
This influence starts seeping into ballet costumes, making them less full, a little more fitted to the leg. They were no longer a fluffy cloud but had some sleek sophistication! Picture it, darlings: a dancer's limbs - long, graceful, fluid - accentuated by a skirt of lightweight layers, floating like a delicate cloud around the body. A tutu with some attitude!
And this brings us to the real magic. For all you passionate ballerinas (and ballets, as well!), I’m sure you know that the design of a tutu, the length, the texture, the very style, dramatically influences how a dancer moves, what emotions she can convey through her choreography. That’s why every step we take towards new styles has its unique flair and drama!
For me, dear readers, that’s where the magic of ballet and the history of tutus blend perfectly: the evolution of style dictates how a dance takes shape!
It’s easy to romanticise those long, voluminous, Romantic tutus as being somehow more dramatic. And while they had an undeniably grand feel to them, the way modern styles have developed over time can be just as emotional, as powerful, as moving... it's all about finding the right kind of tutu to evoke the exact emotions we want to convey.
Which, of course, is where I come in with this fabulous pink tutu of mine! (Oh, can you see how beautifully pink blends with every colour of the rainbow?) No, darling, I never travel incognito! Just think, I might pass a ballet studio and suddenly be swept away in a flurry of tutus and dancers, all because of the infectious power of the tutu. Why, some people will stop and stare - but mostly they’re enthralled and giggling! It’s a joyous sight indeed!
Today I was watching a group of talented ballet students on a lovely open square in Paris. Their movements, with those beautiful, form-fitting tutus, so much more streamlined than the big Romantic skirts! A modern dancer needs to be able to express herself freely, with strength, grace, and agility. In a fitted tutu, it’s clear to see that there's more focus on fluidity, speed, precision, and intricate steps, than dramatic movements of the Romantic period.
I imagine many of the dancers you'll see on stage around Paris this year will be wearing this very form of tutu! In this evolution of style, I saw glimpses of a new kind of drama: dancers are literally carving space around their movements.
These days, even in professional companies, you’ll often see ballerinas sporting streamlined, almost modern versions of the traditional tutu - some call them contemporary, others simply the ballet tutu of the 20th century. This style - think soft, delicate layering and less tulle overall - really complements this evolving ballet world that I'm witnessing right before my eyes!
However, don’t let the sleek, streamlined nature fool you, these elegant forms still have a definite, undeniable, power to them! The beauty of the way the tutu interacts with light, and how it transforms with every movement! Even in modern form, the beauty of this piece of fabric truly moves in ways that no other garment can, doesn't it?
We're just seeing the beginning of this incredible dance story as the 1920s progresses, but you can rest assured that there will be so many more twists and turns in our quest to make all the world wear pink tutus. The world's love for ballet - both on and off the stage - is changing right before our very eyes, and as I embark on another grand journey through time, I can’t wait to see what fabulous, stylish surprises the future holds!
But until then, do stay tuned and please join me on www.pink-tutu.com for the next thrilling #TutuTuesday, right here on the pinkest blog on the internet, where we celebrate the wonder of the world through the eyes of a tutu! See you next Tuesday, darlings!
