Bonjour, mon chères ballerinas! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on a delightful journey back in time for another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday! This week, we're stepping back to November 29th, 1927, a date that resonates with a particular kind of shimmering magic.
Before I dive into the fascinating world of tutus from this period, I have to tell you about my splendid adventure this past week! It was all so exciting, like stepping straight into one of those vintage film reels they play in the vintage clothes shop on Baker Street in London! I found myself in glorious Paris - the city of lights, the city of fashion, the city that embraces the twirl with as much gusto as I do. Imagine, a whole city obsessed with ballerinas and beauty! I took a gorgeous train ride, my tutu flowing in the breeze (pink, of course!) The train journey was pure bon voyage magic, all swirling landscapes, plush seats and delightful conversations. I even managed to have a delicious chocolate éclair - they know how to bake in Paris, you know!
After all that lovely travel, I of course spent my days attending shows, oh so many shows! The Opéra Garnier, simply breath-taking. I gasped when the curtain went up and the glorious set of Swan Lake swirled around me, glittering with sparkles that would have put a chandelier to shame! And the dancing? Absolutely exquisite. The ballerinas were like butterflies in their tutus - so graceful, so precise, such perfection.
The thing is, this era in 1927 - it's all about revolutionising the tutu! Think about it. Ballet is still very traditional, but the women - the magnifique women of this era - are embracing the modernity. They're shortening those tutus! I’m not talking the little frilly number you might imagine – think a skirt-tutu – bouffant, short, airy and giving them so much more freedom to twirl. Can you imagine the possibilities? More energy, more speed, more wow! And that’s what's so exciting, isn’t it? Seeing the tutu transform again, taking a daring step towards the future.
There's this fabulous little dance shop called La Boutique des Danseurs I found in Paris – a haven for all things tutu. It was brimming with glorious tutus, all those delicious shades of pink and red. There was even a stunning green silk one - oh, I want to try that on right now! It would be *magnifique for a Swan Lake performance!
Speaking of the Swan Lake, that leads me nicely into the big news this week. On November 29th, 1927, in New York City, a fantastic event took place: the first performance of Swan Lake by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Talk about magnificent! This company, this group of dancers, they're shaking things up, pushing boundaries, bringing ballet into the modern world. Imagine, the entire show, this tale of swans and romance, a testament to artistic perfection.
Think about this for a moment, dear readers. The tutu was at the centre of this magnificent production! That's a big responsibility, you know. A responsibility that demands finesse! Think of all those swans - delicate yet powerful. Each step, each pirouette, it’s a story told in movement. It's a reminder that every magnifique tutu has a story, just waiting to be unveiled.
I have so much gorgeous fashion inspiration to share, from the beautiful broches I saw in La Boutique des Danseurs to the stunning designs from the designers at that chic Parisian shop I saw... the name escapes me now! Such lovely ladies, too! But enough about fashion - the thing is, even when things change, one thing stays true. The beauty of a tutu – it is a constant in the changing world of fashion.
So, darling ballerinas, that’s all for now! Remember, next Tuesday I'll be back with another amazing post from the fabulous world of tutu history. But before I go, a little question to all of you, magnifique ballerinas! What are your favourite colours for a tutu? Pink, of course, is a personal favourite! Share your lovely ideas and let's chat on www.pink-tutu.com!
Happy twirling!
Au revoir, and keep it fabulous!
Yours,
Emma xx
