Hello my dearest Tutu Tribe! 🩰
Welcome to another #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet history and, of course, the pinkest, most fabulous tutus this time-traveling blogger can find. I’m Emma, your friendly neighborhood time-hopping ballerina, and I’m thrilled to whisk you back to the roaring twenties – a decade bursting with energy, glamour, and, of course, tutues!
This week, we're diving into 1927, a year that saw the rise of a new silhouette for the ballerina, one that we know and adore today: the short, airy, modern tutu we've come to associate with classic ballets like "Swan Lake" and "Giselle". But it wasn't always that way, my dears.
Before 1927, ballet tutus were more elaborate and lengthy affairs, reaching to the floor in some instances! Picture, if you will, a ballerina in a billowing, white cotton tutu, looking more like a cloud than a dancer. This wasn't ideal for showing off all those gorgeous pirouettes and fouettés, darling!
Now, before you imagine a dramatic shift in tutus, let’s rewind a tad. The spark for this change actually started in the late 19th century, with ballerinas seeking more freedom of movement for their performances. As a keen admirer of all things flawless and elegant, this time traveler couldn't be more delighted with these women who wanted to move like silk. Imagine a flurry of movement, graceful leaps and intricate footwork – it was all sparked by a need to express creativity and elegance!
It was, of course, the Russian Ballets, those captivating theatrical creations, that truly took center stage during the early 20th century. One of these legendary Russian ballet dancers, Vaslav Nijinsky, known for his groundbreaking work, embraced this idea of lighter, more free-flowing movement. This set the stage for the Modern Ballet Tutu, a game-changer that allowed dancers to take centre stage and mesmerize audiences.
Enter, my dearest friends, 1927, the year of the short, tiered, almost airy tutu. And just like a blooming flower, this tutu blossomed in its beauty and style. These tutus offered a breathtaking view of a ballerina's elegant legs – a captivating and mesmerizing visual delight! The shorter skirt also gave these graceful souls the freedom of movement they so craved, allowing them to execute more complex and acrobatic movements while still looking breathtakingly elegant.
Isn't it amazing to see how a new trend in dance, just like in fashion, transformed a seemingly minor garment and propelled the art of ballet itself forward? This journey from the floor-length rococo tutus of the 18th century, which would surely make any modern dancer sigh at the mere thought of it, to this lighter, modern design, revolutionized the entire world of ballet - making it more vibrant, expressive and truly stunning!
But just because things were getting lighter and airier, doesn’t mean they weren’t just as gorgeous and dramatic, darling! The ballet of this era, a decade that had its fair share of dramatic dances, embraced these shorter, fluffier skirts, decorating them with beaded lace, glittering tulle and even silk blossoms. One can only imagine the visual spectacle! Isn't that something you can always picture in a vintage photograph, all shimmering in black and white with an enchanting story woven in?
Speaking of spectacle, while this week we can't travel by train through the historical wonder that is London to see the glorious performances on offer at the Royal Opera House - just like I did the other week, * I hear that it's absolutely stunning. And with it the beautiful tradition of the grand and elegant attire for the ladies, an absolute must for the ballet loving world that adores the grandeur of a stunning ballet. *
But in this time-travelers journal entry, let’s just stay at home and enjoy a good old-fashioned tutu-making session - that’s one way to experience this amazing world of tutus. Who knows, you might find you have your own little ballet show on your hands – even better if it involves lots and lots of pink tulle!!
Of course, let's remember these designs were primarily intended for female dancers. Sadly, during this time there wasn't much space for men in the tutu world. Although, it is incredibly important for me to point out that it was actually a male dancer who was credited with being the father of this beautiful style - so thank you Vaslav for giving the world such an inspiring dance movement. *
Remember, #TutuTuesday is all about sharing, inspiring and embracing our love for the world of dance.
So until next Tuesday, when we will be transporting ourselves to another historical point in time for more of this fantastic tutu journey, don’t forget to put on your pinkest, most dazzling tutu and share your own #TutuTuesday moments! You might just inspire a time traveler like myself!
Until next time my darlings.
Emma - Your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling tutu blogger
* **www.pink-tutu.com**
