Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure! Today, we're waltzing back to the dazzling 1920s, a time of flapper dresses, Charleston dances, and, yes, you guessed it, tutus!
This week marks my 5038th blog post (who would've thought a girl could talk about tutus for so long?), and today I'm on a mission to unravel the hidden story of the tutu in 1928. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, tutus were already a thing back then!" And you'd be right, but there's more to this elegant story than meets the eye!
This week I landed in glorious Paris – oh, the croissants! The fashion! But my eyes are always peeled for the tutus! Now, the tutu we see today, the picture-perfect ballerina's outfit, had its humble beginnings a while back. Imagine a simple, romantic, and yes, fluffy, layered tulle skirt… well, in the late 1800s, that was pretty much the tutu! Ballet wasn't all grand leaps and intricate footwork just yet, so the tutu mirrored the era's simpler movements, floating beautifully like a cloud of delicate fabric.
But then came 1928! And my goodness, was it exciting! Just think: the roaring twenties! Imagine the energy of a flapper dress – free, bold, with its short hemlines and fringed movement. This is the era that saw ballet embracing a more daring, expressive side, much like the tutus themselves were going through a transformation! Imagine this: the classic tutu gets a makeover, evolving into the tutu we associate with ballerinas today – short, sharp, and so elegant, allowing the dancers to move with more dynamism and agility, mirroring the rebellious spirit of the times. It was an edgy look that revolutionised the way ballet was performed.
Today in Paris, 17th July 1928, it was all about dance. It's hot – almost like the Derbyshire heat I grew up with – and there’s a buzz about a special ballet performance happening this evening, and of course, I had to be there! I bought the most delightful silk dress, complete with a touch of sparkle to echo the glamorous 1920s feel and… of course, my trusty pink tutu tucked away in my bag!
You know me – I can't resist a little shopping spree, and what's a time travel adventure without soaking up the local vibes, right? After a scrumptious pastry and coffee in a charming Parisian cafe – with a little slice of tarte tatin – I made my way to the most enchanting boutique. It's tucked away in a tiny cobbled street, surrounded by cafes and bakeries – a real gem. My time-traveling purse isn't always fat with pounds, but every time I land somewhere new, I need to replenish my pink tutu stock – and yes, today I got two!
I love the tutus in the 1920s! It was the beginning of this gorgeous style becoming so prominent. Now, these are all part of the tutu's legacy! It’s an evolving story, from the classic Romantic Era, to the groundbreaking designs of the early 1900s, to the streamlined tutus we love today.
Later today I'll be at the theater! There's an amazing performance of "Scheherazade" by the Paris Opera Ballet! I'll have my camera and will be snapping photos to share with all of you lovely ladies and gentlemen! This performance features a legendary choreographer named Mikhail Fokine – I absolutely adore his work! If he wasn't born in Russia, maybe he'd be from Derbyshire, he was the true rebel of the ballet world back then. His ballet dances were a total sensation in the 1900s – he helped pave the way for ballet to become so much more expressive, and what do you know? The tutu evolved too, as I've already mentioned. He had such amazing, intricate steps - it's an honour to have this ballet experience!
Let me know if you have any questions, lovelies! Maybe you could tell me where your favorite tutu from the past would be found? As for me, my travel plans next week will have me finding some fantastic places that feature an 18th-century French ballet - now that's going to be another fascinating #TutuTuesday!
Till next Tuesday, keep those twirls going, and wear pink with pride! 💖
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
