Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! It’s your favourite pink-clad ballerina blogger, Emma, here with another installment of our thrilling Ballet Tutu History adventure. Today, we're whisking you back in time to the shimmering summer of 1927!
Ah, 1927! Such a vibrant time for fashion, with the roaring twenties in full swing. You simply cannot talk about 1927 without mentioning the gorgeous flapper dresses, the sleek bobbed haircuts, and oh my, the shoes! Imagine all that glamour with a little tutu sprinkled in – talk about a divine combination!
But you know me, dear readers. It's all about those tutus for me! So, let's see what wonders we can unearth from this glorious era of dancing.
Now, before we dive into 1927, let's talk about my adventures this week! I just returned from the most delightful trip to London by train. My darling Mum insisted I wear a navy blue dress (sigh, a tad too sensible for my liking!), but fear not, my sweet friends! I snuck a little pink tutu in my bag (you know how it is!) and it was the perfect touch after the performance at the London Coliseum.
It was a masterpiece, darling! A glorious production of 'Swan Lake,' and the principal ballerina absolutely stole the show. Her performance was pure magic – like she was dancing on air! It’s nights like those that remind me of just how wonderful ballet can be. It really does fill me with so much joy.
But enough about my London trip! Back to 1927 – let’s step onto the dance floor of history, shall we?
For starters, 1927 was the year our lovely Bronislava Nijinska took the ballet world by storm! Remember her? Yes, she’s the talented dancer, choreographer, and sister of the legendary Vaslav Nijinsky! Bronislava had a vision, my dears – she created this revolutionary choreography called 'Les Biches' for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, a dance filled with such audacious and modern movement – a truly groundbreaking masterpiece!
Now, you’ll be thrilled to hear that this delightful choreography involved something rather delightful. The costumes, designed by none other than Henri Matisse, incorporated a design for a new type of tutu! Gone were the frilled, puffy ones we see on our beloved classical ballets. This tutu was something completely different - much more streamlined and free-flowing, reflecting the movement of the ballet itself. It looked almost like a draped skirt, but still held the magic of a tutu!
What I love most about this particular period is the fusion of artistry and movement! It was the era when dance was challenging the norm and experimenting with new, innovative forms.
Speaking of which, the Ballets Russes, dear readers, was revolutionising the ballet scene! It’s true, they were more than just a dance company; they were a spectacle, a theatrical explosion of colour and energy. They had such a phenomenal influence on the tutu, and their designs became inspirations for generations of ballet dancers.
In 1927, there were quite a few amazing performances around the world. The company took their groundbreaking production 'Les Biches' to Paris – imagine, that glorious city – a hotbed of fashion, culture and inspiration! And what a visual feast this production must have been with its unique choreography and Henri Matisse’s gorgeous costume designs. Oh, to have been there!
You know me, darlings, always chasing those exciting, fashionable shows! Luckily, with my trusty Time Travelling Tutu, I'm able to experience these unforgettable moments first hand! The travel costs aren’t cheap – luckily, my fabulous performances pay for it all! I’ve recently started performing at Derbyshire’s theatres too – and people absolutely love a pink tutu.
Now, darling readers, you can't forget this is also the year that legendary choreographer Michel Fokine’s ballet ‘Les Sylphides’ had its premier at London’s Coliseum. Such an important milestone, because this lovely production of ballet showcased that elegance, beauty, and graceful flow of tutus! How romantic is that?
If you are looking for some tutus of your own, darling readers, you can buy beautiful ones from the lovely vintage shops on London's famous Berwick Street, and the vintage markets, too! If I weren’t on this time travel spree, I would be on the hunt for a new tutu for my collection myself!
And now, for the news everyone is talking about this week – it’s about the fabulous, wonderful new designs coming to our world! It seems like tutus are getting an incredible makeover, with designers now using various materials from velvet and satin to silks and chiffon! Oh, darling, just imagine the amazing colors! I'm eager to get my hands on these new creations. The possibilities are simply endless.
Remember, darling readers, this is a journey into a wonderful world filled with a glorious history of tutus. It's not about getting it "right," it's about appreciating the beauty, grace, and impact these gorgeous designs have had over the years.
So, dear readers, let’s celebrate the elegance and creativity of the past and carry those memories forward as we embrace the enchanting world of tutus! Don’t forget to rock a little pink tutu every chance you get! I am certain, darling readers, we are living in an exciting and fabulous time for tutus, and there's no better time to share the love of this magical creation with the whole world!
Until next Tuesday,
Your loving Tutu Guru, Emma xx
