Hello, my darling Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another edition of your favourite Tutu Tuesday blog! As ever, your glamorous, pink tutu-clad historian is back with another juicy morsel from the ever-spinning world of tutu history!
It's January 24th, 1928. We’re whizzing through the glamorous Roaring Twenties, folks, and let me tell you, this era was absolutely brimming with dazzling dance! Imagine: bobbed hair, flapper dresses, jazz music filling the air, and... you guessed it... a fabulous tutu revolution!
Today, we're going to explore a time when tutus were a force of nature. Forget the traditional ballet tutu - these were revolutionary tutus! Short, sassy, and oozing with attitude. And, I am absolutely in love with the bold, expressive colours. We're talking vibrant reds, luscious blues, and sassy yellows, oh my!
This week, I decided to hop aboard a gleaming train to Paris. Paris, in the 20s? It was the place to be, my dears. The city was abuzz with artistic expression. It's where Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company were lighting up stages with groundbreaking designs, revolutionary music, and, of course, the most incredible tutus you can imagine.
Speaking of the Ballets Russes, their performance of "The Firebird" at the Paris Opera House on this very day, 24th January 1928, would have been an event. Now, let's talk tutus! The dancers wore stunning, fiery-red tutus that seemed to embody the very spirit of the Firebird. You can picture them now, twirling and soaring on stage, radiating the energy of the wild, enchanting creature.
Just imagine, darlings, having the opportunity to witness that. I simply can’t resist hopping back in time to soak it all in. The incredible performances, the buzzing atmosphere, the luxurious gowns… It's simply heavenly!
And speaking of luxurious gowns... Did you know that fashion in the 20s went through a huge transformation? Women were finally able to ditch their constricting corsets and embraced a much more carefree silhouette. Think elegant dropped waists and daring flapper dresses.
Oh, and the dancewear! Imagine wearing a shimmering, sequined bodice with a flowing tutu that swept across the floor. Pure magic, isn’t it?
Now, of course, this wasn’t just happening in Paris. The "Roaring Twenties" were all about pushing boundaries, and dance was at the forefront of this revolution!
My favourite memory from this era was a performance I saw at the London Coliseum. It was the ballet "The Prodigal Son." I couldn’t take my eyes off the breathtaking tutus - exquisitely crafted in shimmering silks and satins, each adorned with exquisite embroidery. These weren't just tutus, my darlings. They were works of art!
I even found some fantastic photographs from the London Coliseum at the time, and I've got to share them with you! It's just wonderful to see how these early dancers experimented with color, embellishment, and fabric. And to think, those same ideas of beauty and dance are still inspiring us today!
We're already moving into a new decade and, of course, the world of dance continues to evolve! And it’s not just ballet - tap dancing was flourishing, and ballroom dance became a social frenzy, each inspiring a unique style of tutu. There was a real need to be noticed and dance tutus offered a chance to stand out!
But here's a secret, darlings: no matter the era, the excitement, the beauty, the spirit, and the pure joy of a tutu is always the same! So go forth, my dear Tutu Twirlers, and remember: every single one of you is a walking work of art. Let your spirit shine.
And be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday to catch our weekly dose of #TutuTuesday history!
Love, Emma
P.S. Let me know your favourite "Tutu Tuesdays" in the comments below! Don’t forget, my goal in life is to get everyone in the world to wear a pink tutu, so let's get those tutus on and show the world that dance is for everyone.
