Hello my darling dancers! It's Emma, your pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday and this week we're taking a grand jeté back to the glamorous, shimmering era of 1928!
Oh, 1928! The Roaring Twenties, the Charleston, flapper dresses…and believe it or not, the beginnings of what we know and adore today as the tutu!
I've just disembarked the Orient Express from Paris to London, where I've been taking in the absolutely sensational world of haute couture. Chanel's little black dress is the height of chic, but darling, let me tell you – there's a certain something that simply cannot be beat in terms of style: the ballerina's dress. And 1928 marks a really significant moment in the story of this fabulous, swirling garment.
Let's set the scene, shall we? Imagine me stepping out onto the stage at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The atmosphere is electric. The audience, a kaleidoscope of jewels and evening gowns, holds its breath as the curtain rises on “The Sleeping Beauty”. Now, take a closer look. Princess Aurora, graceful as a willow, isn't wearing the traditional, tiered Romantic era tutu we see today. She's dancing in something revolutionary: a skirt made of light, billowing fabric, revealing elegant, elongated lines, a silhouette that practically flies. This is the very first “tutu” as we know it – the tutu de port de bras, a shorter, streamlined design designed by none other than the iconic Léon Bakst.
Think about this for a moment. This simple, bold change, this embrace of lightness and movement, transformed the ballet world! It unleashed a new era of graceful expression. Imagine, a dancer gliding across the stage, weightless and free, every movement captured in swirling, diaphanous fabric! It's pure magic!
Now, don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t just a fashion statement. It was an absolute necessity for the burgeoning era of ballet. Gone were the heavy, bulky costumes that hampered movement. With this revolutionary change, ballet, as we know it, truly blossomed. The ability to showcase the athleticism and artistry of the dancer was unveiled!
Back in 1928, ballet was still a somewhat niche form of entertainment, with much of the general public perceiving it as stuffy and aristocratic. But the arrival of the shorter, lighter, tutu de port de bras, brought in a fresh wave of interest. It democratised ballet, allowing its elegance and beauty to be accessible to all. Imagine Diana Vickery, (one of the leading dancers in 1928), twirling on stage in that revolutionary skirt! It must have been mesmerising!
But you know me, darling – I never stop at just one. What's a time traveler with a pink tutu passion without a shopping trip, right? So, naturally, I hopped onto a very posh London double-decker bus and headed to Liberty’s. It's bursting with beautiful, extravagant fashion for the discerning shopper. The mannequins showcase flowing skirts and drop-waist dresses, perfect for the “flapper” aesthetic - all the latest trends in fabric, colour and style. But you know what's got my eye? A dressmaker in the haberdashery section, meticulously constructing her own creation. Now this, ladies, is the beauty of fashion, a beautiful creation taking shape!
There's an electric excitement in the air, a feeling of breaking free and embracing change, which is precisely what I find myself wanting to do in 2023 – make my own changes, add my own unique twist! The new generation of ballet dancers like Margot Fonteyn are truly captivating, so the tutu de port de bras is not only fashionable, it's evolving as we speak! I’m itching to design my own versions with all the exquisite materials from my time, add more shimmering sequins, feather trims, perhaps even a hint of my favourite colour pink, because, let's face it, a tutu is always prettier in pink!
Oh, and before I forget, today, October 2nd, 1928, marks the birthday of a true fashion icon – Karl Lagerfeld, who is undoubtedly a design legend in our times. His contributions to the world of fashion and his appreciation of the beauty of intricate craft is a source of great inspiration for me, so I dedicate my own Tutu Tuesday blog today to him!
Until next Tuesday, dear readers, keep twirling and don't be afraid to let your own fashion wings spread!
Yours always in pink, Emma 💖🩰
