Welcome back, my lovely tutu-loving readers! It's #TutuTuesday and we're going on a journey through time again - this time landing right in the heart of glamorous 1927! 🩰 I'm your time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, ready to whisk you away to a world of Art Deco, Charleston, and (of course) the fabulous evolution of the tutu. This is blog post number 4999, can you believe it?! It's all thanks to you lovely people! 🌸
Today, I'm standing in the glittering heart of London, England, right next to the Royal Opera House. Now, you know how much I love a grand, historic theatre! The city is humming with energy and the theatre world is alive with new ideas. And it's not just the plays, darlings. The ballet is booming too! There's such a sense of freedom, innovation, and an infectious joie de vivre. Just the kind of atmosphere to inspire a girl like me!
The Art Deco Influence:
1927 is a year full of striking angles, geometric designs, and streamlined elegance - we see the influence of Art Deco in everything, from fashion to furniture. This aesthetic, born in the wake of World War One, was a reaction against the Victorian era. It represented a sense of modernity, boldness, and a dash of defiance.
And guess what? It was the perfect aesthetic for ballet too!
The tutus of this era mirrored the movement. They were still knee-length, with layers of tulle, but they took on a more streamlined and sleek shape, highlighting the dancer's movement with a sharp elegance. The fabrics were often silk, chiffon, and satin, reflecting the luxe materials of the period. There was a definite sense of movement in the designs, with more use of layering, pleats, and diagonal cuts, inspired by the flapper dresses and the graceful motions of the Charleston. I must admit, it's a look I just adore. Imagine a delicate, feathered design or a striking silhouette made of crisp tulle, both perfectly capturing the spirit of 1927!
But, there's more! A big thing to note is the change in colour! The tutus were becoming more vibrant! Think dazzling golds, bright corals, electric blues, and those oh-so-fabulous jade greens - colors that reflected the vibrancy and optimism of the Roaring Twenties. It was almost a rebellious rejection of the paler tones of earlier eras. It was all about expressing energy, fun, and a modern spirit - the true colours of dance!
A Look Back in Time:
It's fascinating to see how the tutu changed and how that change reflected the larger social and cultural changes of the time. It's not just about the skirt - it's about expressing freedom of movement, embracing modernism, and, well, simply being a daring, dazzling delight! And as a tutu-lover through and through, that is truly the most fashionable and fun thing to me!
What I would do if I was transported back to this glamorous period?! First, I would hit up Harrods! Now there's a shop brimming with stunning 1920s fashion - silks, satins, sequins, oh my! - all the inspiration you could wish for. Second, a delightful evening at a theatre! There's nothing like seeing the elegance of the Charleston, the precision of a ballet performance, and the sparkle of the audience. And I wouldn't just watch - I'd throw myself into the party and try my hand at the Charleston (it wouldn't be as polished as the real dancers, but it would be fun!)
*So, for a glimpse of a time when everything was in motion, and tutus had found their new art deco flair, step back into the history of ballet! *
I'd love to hear your thoughts, my tutu-loving friends! Tell me what you love most about the Art Deco style - fashion, dance, architecture, or perhaps all of the above? Share your thoughts and, most importantly, don't forget to join me next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday adventure! **
Your time-travelling ballet blogger,
Emma 💕
www.pink-tutu.com
*#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1920sFashion #ArtDeco #Dance #TimeTravel #FashionBlogger #PinkTutu *
The Event of the Day:
We can't discuss a ballet-filled 1927 without mentioning a special event! On this very date, 18th October 1927, the Sadler's Wells Ballet gave its first performance at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, an historic event for the world of British ballet! This marks the beginning of the rise of the Sadler's Wells Ballet company, which went on to achieve enormous success. The theatre continues to host fantastic ballet performances today! It is a very exciting moment for the history of dance!