Hello my darlings! Welcome back to another exciting episode of Pink-Tutu, your weekly dose of ballet, fashion, and all things sparkly!
It's been a busy week for your girl Emma. After last week's whirlwind trip to the 19th century - which, let's be honest, involved way too many layers and not enough silk - I found myself whisked away to a wonderfully glamorous Parisian evening! I am loving all the colours and textures here. It's a dream come true for a girl like me, where everything seems to shimmer and flow with Parisian elegance.
But this week, I'm going to take us on a historic adventure. Today, my lovely lovelies, we're delving into the year 1928, and I can't wait to see what tutus were swirling around the stage back then.
I took a grand old train from my little Derbyshire village this week, arriving in Paris ready to get my sparkle on! As always, a few chic changes to my outfits - I had to pack that feather boa! - and my fabulous pink tutu is ready for another trip through time!
This is a super important era for the tutu, darlings! We're talking revolutionary ballet and groundbreaking choreography. And what does all this mean for the tutus? A whole lot of creativity and dramatic design!
The world was starting to discover the flapper, my lovelies! This trend made it onto the ballet stage, with the tutu becoming a lighter, more liberating expression of the times.
You wouldn't believe what I saw last night! It was Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Oh, darling, the sheer magic! The music! The dancers! And of course, the costumes... Simply divine!
The tutus were lighter than air! No heavy silks or heavy bodices in this era! It's a world of delicate layers, tulle, and gauze. It was so elegant, so delicate!
I spotted some truly wonderful tutus, with asymmetrical designs and creative fabric combinations. There were flaming, vibrant colours and flowing lines, truly encapsulating the energy of the roaring twenties! The most amazing one I saw was a swirling, ethereal design with pearls and beadwork on the bottom layers, and the dancer was so light she looked like a flying feather!
It wasn't all about dramatic flair, though. I saw some stunningly simple designs, like elegant knee-length tutus that were just as impactful in their refined grace. It’s really remarkable how the tutu, which can be seen as quite an extravagant and ornate garment, could still be so captivating in its minimalist form.
You can bet that I’ve taken a million photos of the outfits (thank you to my pocket-sized, self-charging, magically-fuelled digital camera!), which I’m going to share with you, of course! The Ballets Russes tutus are definitely an inspiration! They make me feel like I could dance a graceful arabesque right here in this coffee shop - if it wasn’t full of Parisians looking at me funny, I totally would!
Oh my, that reminds me of the main reason for coming to 1928: It was the year Rudolf Nureyev was born! Now, I am going to admit to not meeting him in the flesh, but if I travel forward a little in time, you know it’s my dream!
Anyway, back to the tutus! It's the Golden Age of Ballet right now, and we’re in the midst of such fascinating innovation!
And I’m not just talking about the style and shape of the tutus, though of course, they’re essential to every ballerina’s journey! The tutu is, after all, the ultimate statement of ballet. It's more than just a piece of clothing; it’s an iconic symbol, a piece of ballet history. And 1928, darling, is shaping that history beautifully!
What fascinates me most about this period is that the tutu, while undergoing these remarkable transformations, also continues to hold its own against these dramatic changes, showcasing a timeless grace and elegance. It's like a modern ballerina, unafraid of pushing boundaries, yet always aware of its roots.
The tutus in 1928 are just like flapper dresses in their rebellious spirit, refusing to be restrained by tradition! I’ve even seen a couple of dancers sporting tutus made from feathers! Feather tutus! The things I see, darling. It’s amazing!
Speaking of feathers, this time travelling is tiring, and I’m going to rest my weary little feet now. If I see more tutu inspiration I will be posting some pics to my blog, of course, and sharing some fashion tips with you!
Do you love 1920s fashion as much as I do? Let me know what you think of the 1920s tutus. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Remember, Tutu Tuesday is just one part of the magic that happens at Pink-Tutu, so come and visit us every day for new ballet content. There is a whole world out there to explore!
Now if you'll excuse me, my lovelies, I’ve got a super glamorous shopping trip planned at Printemps… maybe I can finally find the perfect pair of shoes to go with my collection of vintage ballet shoes? Wish me luck!
Remember, stay sparkly, my darlings! And, don't forget: every day is Tutu Day!
*Yours, with love, *
Emma, the Pink-Tutu Blogger
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