Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of tutu history straight from the pages of time itself! Iâm Emma, your very own pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger from the very heart of Derbyshire, England! And this week, weâre stepping back to the dazzling world of ballet in January 1928! This is blog post number 5012 for my Ballet Tutu History series - I can hardly believe we've reached such a milestone!
The roaring twenties were an absolute whirlwind of fashion, innovation, and yes, you guessed it⌠a growing love for the glorious tutu! Can you believe that it was barely a century before this era that the tutu we know and adore today was only starting to take shape? Weâve come a long way, havenât we? And as we know, itâs a journey worth documenting, my dears.
So, what was going on in the world of tutus back in 1928? Well, picture this⌠we were just on the cusp of seeing the evolution of the tutu reach new heights. It was the era of ballet legends like Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky. And wouldnât you know it, they were both performing in 1928! The very year Iâve decided to explore for you all today. The tutus in their ballets were a spectacle of grace and elegance â think layers of tulle, wispy designs, and a beautiful palette of delicate colours that reflected the spirit of the times.
If I could go back to January of 1928, youâd find me soaking in all the dazzling spectacles on offer â first and foremost, Iâd be absolutely thrilled to see the renowned Pavlova in person. Imagine! She was known for her captivating performances, and the tutus in those ballets? Pure magic! The Dying Swan - oh, my dears, imagine her tutu billowing as she glides across the stage. Itâs almost impossible to imagine ballet history without it! Then there was the âDance of the Little Swansâ from Swan Lake. Just the name makes you want to twirl! It was quite the treat to watch, a delightful blur of light pink tutus, flitting about like the birds they so perfectly mimicked.
However, I wouldnât forget about the captivating performance style of Nijinsky. Remember that infamous Afternoon of a Faun with its shockingly brief, revealing costume for its day! Itâs clear that there was a revolution in ballet costume at the time, pushing boundaries.
But, oh! The fashion was something else altogether in 1928. This era was a treasure trove for stylish enthusiasts like myself. It was all about daring cuts, dropping waistlines, and knee-skimming lengths, all culminating in an air of sophisticated modernity. Did you know that 1928 was the year when flapper dresses were really embraced by fashion icons, becoming a signature look? And it wouldnât be much longer until we were seeing the rise of glamorous sportswear with chic, stylish trousers! This movement resonated so beautifully with ballet â imagine elegant jumps and leaps captured in flowy, easy-to-move-in clothing. What a vision!
Fashion-Forward
You may be wondering why the fashion trends of the era impacted my blog posts! Itâs very important to understand how our love affair with the tutu wasn't confined to just ballet performance, my lovelies. Think about this â when the tutu started to move outside of the studio and into mainstream fashion, that is how it became iconic. Thatâs why youâre seeing tutus on everything today - fashion shoots, stage costumes, and even a touch of whimsical chic in everyday clothing. We wouldn't be anywhere without the era of Coco Chanel, and Elsa Schiaparelli - women pushing the boundaries and showing us how to look and feel confident! This bold new trend set the stage for our own tutu revolutions!
Now, I know youâre just dying to see what this year had in store for the evolution of the tutu, so let's jump right in!
1928 brought about some groundbreaking innovations in tutu design that solidified the role of this garment in ballet performance, which is, as we all know, important for this historical overview! You might notice in these days how it began to transform beyond its original âromanticâ style - there was a rise of geometric shapes, asymmetrical styles, and experiments with layering!
The designers at the time, oh, those fashion houses were just full of vision! They took this idea of experimentation and incorporated the latest materials and techniques. Tutus were no longer restricted to white or black, my darlings. A daring explosion of color in silk and satin tutus swept onto the stage, and the palette included all the stunning shades of blush, lilac, lavender, and turquoise, as well as an even bolder emerald green, which reflected the glamorous world of the era.
A Modern Take
Think about how exciting this was for a ballet dancer to don such a colorful costume on stage. For one, there is a dramatic effect in performance - when a vibrant piece of tulle is dancing across the stage, it attracts eyes in a whole new way! But, even beyond the theatricality of it, consider how liberated and empowered this change would make a ballerina feel - to be the bearer of color, rather than only just elegance. We have this evolution of the tutu to thank for making sure that todayâs performers feel confident, creative and empowered!
Of course, 1928 wouldn't be 1928 if it werenât for an innovation that I feel is absolutely paramount in ballet! The emergence of the âshortâ tutu was something special, especially for me. Just the thought of these chic designs makes my heart skip a beat! These pieces embraced the flapper era aesthetic â think flirty movement with flowing, elegant shapes.
Do you know what this meant, my darling tutu fans? That all eyes were going to be on those long, stunning legs! It also allowed for a newfound sense of movement, dynamism, and elegance. This innovation, that short tutu, well, it was a revolution for ballet and fashion! A revolution that we are still seeing ripples of today! I would say this is probably my absolute favorite piece of historical news to share!
As a little tip for all of you, dear readers, the fashion trends we're talking about absolutely still echo today! If you want to bring some 1928 vibes to your everyday look - even if youâre not in a ballet - consider:
1) Embrace a shorter skirt (just slightly above the knee) to accentuate your own graceful curves and moves.
2) Look out for materials that emulate tulle and flow â or even better, just get your hands on a real tutu! The trend is always there and ready to welcome new wearers! I am telling you, my darlings - tutus never go out of fashion!
3) Wear a vibrant, fun color â if you have ever wondered about the perfect color for your tutu, well this might be your era to check out - emerald green, bright turquoise, pink, or maybe lavender - there are so many chic options to be made for you!
The Magic of the Train
This is what makes traveling through time so spectacular, my dears. We can learn, explore, and get some fashion inspiration, too. In 1928, the train was absolutely essential! Imagine me arriving in style, gracefully navigating those plush, vintage carriages, feeling all the glamour of the era, and watching as the world rolled by! What better way to experience history than with a little bit of charm and a good bit of glam? I wouldnât be a true blogger if I didnât mention the style of it, too - think hats, fur coats, dresses that perfectly hugged the silhouette â oh, I simply couldnât get enough!
A Week of Magic
If I were to take you on a time-traveling spree to this enchanting year, hereâs what you wouldn't miss! First, make sure you head over to see the glorious ballet Sheherazade, a ballet masterpiece showcasing an amazing range of vibrant colors, and stunning designs, just for the year of 1928 alone. Donât forget to wear your brightest blush lipstick and let that elegant Parisian flapper style inspire you!
After you've taken in the show, head on over to the boutiques of Paris. Oh my, my, you won't want to leave! Let the captivating gowns of designers such as Chanel and Schiaparelli transport you back to a dazzling world. Donât forget to check out all the amazing shops and look for the newest silk tutus! Youâre bound to find some beautiful finds that are just begging for your personal touch, darling!
As you journey around Paris and enjoy your shopping spree, donât forget to take the train. It's really the ultimate Tutu-worthy way to travel in style! And while you're on the move, take in all those iconic Parisian views.
I do hope you found this post full of joy, beauty, and glamour - just like every Tuesday should be!
Until next week, remember to embrace that tutu magic in all its delightful ways,
With much love and a twirl! Emma đ
* www.pink-tutu.com*
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