Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-obsessed time traveller, and it's time for another #TutuTuesday journey! This week, we're hopping on the Orient Express, metaphorically speaking of course, and stepping back in time to the glamorous year of 1926. Now, you might think that tutus were all the rage back then, but surprise, surprise, it's not quite the picture you'd expect!
Before I spill the beans on the ballet world of 1926, let's talk about my latest acquisition: a glorious, flaming pink tulle masterpiece with delicate, hand-sewn flower embellishments. You can practically hear the audience swoon as I twirl across the stage in it. My fundraising ballet performance went down a treat, of course. And all that champagne popping and applause means I have enough to fuel my time-traveling engine – and indulge in a few delightful shopping sprees, naturally! (Don’t worry, my dearest readers, I'll be back to share my latest fashion finds from Parisian boutiques soon!).
Now, back to the magic of 1926 and the evolution of the tutu. Think swirling, silk skirts and flowing chiffons, and you're starting to get the picture. Ballets like “Les Sylphides” were all the rage back then. Now, the tutu in “Les Sylphides” might not look like the flamboyant pouffy, multi-tiered creations you picture in your mind’s eye. They were delicate and lightweight, almost like gossamer dreams. But, darlings, these ballerinas looked absolutely stunning, gliding effortlessly across the stage, their movements almost ethereal! They gave off a dreamy, mystical vibe that set the stage for the incredible fashion we have today.
The key difference, and you'll see this reflected in photos and fashion magazines of the era, is that ballet, at this time, didn’t necessarily centre around a showy, flashy display of dance costumes. In fact, it leaned more towards simple, yet beautifully-designed silhouettes, all about movement and grace, making those graceful curves a thing of wonder!
Imagine stepping back into a London theatre – you can just feel the energy and excitement bubbling under the chandelier's glow! On this particular August 17th, we can expect to see something really special – “Les Sylphides” in a magnificent performance. Just thinking about those ethereal ballerinas dancing across the stage in their simple, elegant, silk-skimming dresses sends a little shiver down my spine – the kind of shiver that inspires the greatest creative visions!
Just a bit of historical tidbit: Imagine going to a theatre back in the day, darling, without all those rows and rows of comfy seats and cushions! For this era, theatre seats were basically solid wood. Now, if that's not dedication to art, I don’t know what is!
And on a personal note, the energy here is just buzzing with creative passion, not only from the dancers but from the designers, costume-makers, and everyone involved in the production. Even in those days, with less lavish productions and costumes, their passion made for truly breathtaking performances.
But of course, darling, the key to great ballet, and every other art form, is all in the presentation, the beauty and flow, the way they move with grace and intention - making everyone's heart melt.
So, my fellow tutu-lovers, until next week's journey through #TutuTuesday, remember that even simple beauty can be breathtaking. And, as always, remember to wear pink tutus, it’s a beautiful world out there!
Lots of love, Emma 💖🩰 www.pink-tutu.com
