Dearest readers! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, back with another scintillating segment in my ever-growing #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History blog series! As always, I'm so excited to take you on another whimsical journey through the fascinating world of tutus and dance! This week, we're swirling back to 27th November, 1928 - oh, what a time to be alive!
Today's date, as you know, is extra special because it's my blog post number 5057! Isn't that just wonderful? It truly blows my mind, and warms my heart, to think that this little pink tutu-wearing blogger from Derbyshire, England has managed to share her passion with so many lovely souls! As always, it’s thanks to you, my darling readers, for keeping me inspired!
My recent jaunt in my time machine was absolutely glorious, taking me straight to Paris, the heart of the ballet world! The energy here was absolutely electric!
And I have to say, you would never guess that we are nearly a century away from today! Fashion, as always, remains at the forefront! You've got to imagine a beautiful symphony of colour and shape - women adorned in glorious long skirts that almost kissed their ankles, shimmering silk, a little bit of playful fringe, a delicate floral print. Oh, but they don't quite compare to the modern designs we see today!
Now, you see, even in the 1920s, the most daring designers knew that the dance, especially ballet, needed a touch of whimsy, something truly elegant and lightweight for their movements. They understood the power of the ballet tutu to tell stories, not just on stage but on the streets! The 1920s was really about embracing the fluidity of movement and taking those first bold steps into modernity, it really resonated with my own love for dancing and movement!
And as we wander the cobblestones of 1920s Paris, there we have it! The glorious Parisian ballet companies are all over town, and, dear readers, it’s nothing short of spectacular. My pink tutu might not quite be on trend, although I have the strongest hunch that a blush tone may well be on its way back... But it is still as beautiful as ever! I can’t help but wonder how differently the ballerinas see the world, they must see a wonderful spectrum of colours from up on that stage...
The Paris Opera
And what an absolutely enchanting spectacle that ballet was at The Paris Opera last night. I could not have asked for a better glimpse into the ballet world of 1928. The entire atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and elegance - all the gentlemen dressed in suits, ladies sporting luxurious silk gowns. The sheer brilliance of it all!
This was my very first ballet at The Paris Opera, but trust me, dear readers, this certainly won't be my last. A little birdie told me it’s one of the most sought after seats in all of France and I can tell you, that little birdie wasn’t exaggerating.
You would simply not believe the sheer beauty of the performance - every move flowed with a certain air of ethereal grace that took my breath away. I do believe La Bayadere was on the program, and I was particularly enchanted by the soloist, a lady with the grace and agility of a swan... her white tutu flowed like clouds and she simply floated across the stage. My words cannot do it justice!
Time Travelling Trends
Talking of ballet and tutus, and of course my favourite colour pink... the whole silhouette of this time was just delightful. While I've heard from other time-travelling fellow bloggers cough cough, a certain Mr. Jones who frequents 1950s New York that fashion had become so daring, these long flowing silhouettes felt particularly special to me. The colours... oh those colours!, delicate lavender, soft blush pinks, the rich tones of emeralds, midnight blue and navy... everything was soft, feminine, and just ever so slightly melancholic... It’s so romantic.
Perhaps that's what makes it all the more captivating: The way the long lines, the floating skirts and silk... The way it all embodies a *whimsical and free spirit - the spirit of the women at the heart of the age!*
The long strands of beads and pearls worn as necklaces really completed the image - and the long slender shoes with that perfectly rounded pointed toe? It's not a far cry from our modern ballet slippers - what a gorgeous trend that continues to resonate today.
Shopping!
Now I know what you're thinking... A visit to Paris is simply incomplete without indulging in a little retail therapy!
This visit was especially delightful - just picture this: A darling Parisian tea salon, sunlight streaming in through a tall window, little tables adorned with white tablecloths and my tea cup overflowing with the most glorious delicate floral-scented brew… oh my! I took the afternoon to sample the delights of Parisian shopping. Let's just say the sheer beauty and the elegance of the department stores were extra special in their ornate architecture and art deco features, not to mention those beautifully dressed window displays - I just can’t imagine ever tiring of their artistry.
This time I really felt like the whole shop experience was art itself - a beautiful curated selection of exquisite fabrics and designs... The women there dressed so gorgeously in the soft flowing silhouettes with their stunning beaded necklaces and beautiful brooches - I think they all made their dresses feel like one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art... So effortlessly chic, just a little bit daring and oh-so stylish! I even managed to snagged myself an absolutely gorgeous dress, it was the softest pale blush, made of this luxurious flowing fabric that reminded me of spun sugar! It’s quite unlike any dress I’ve found in any other time - quite divine.
But it wasn’t all about shopping in shops for me! I just *had to browse some vintage shops to pick up a few timeless ballet shoes - and who would believe it there was a whole street dedicated to dancing accessories... That evening, as the sun dipped behind the beautiful buildings and cast its magical golden hues across the streets of Paris, I felt like a complete Parisian, the only missing touch was my signature pink tutu to bring a bit of that cheeky sparkle that I know my readers adore.
Back to Reality (For Now) …
So darling readers, how did you like that peek into 1928? And tell me, would you wear your very own pink tutu on the streets of your town? Please do tell!
Now, alas, my journey is over - and as much as I would like to tell you about the time I went shopping for silk scarves with Josephine Baker in the 1920s… my trusty time machine has sent me back to my beloved Derbyshire, my heart still dancing with memories from that time.
As we embrace our modern-day fashions and embrace the power of the tutu in modern life... don’t forget what a wonderful place ballet and dance still holds in the hearts of the world - even after a century! - it is beautiful, powerful and moving. Don’t forget your tutu at the theater... and maybe wear that pink tutu just *a little bit outside the theater!
I can’t wait to whisk you away to another part of our wonderful journey into the fascinating world of Ballet Tutu History - just tune in next Tuesday!
*Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your favourite 1920s fashion details, and remember: *Always make sure to live your life with as much sparkle and tutu as possible - it’s all about having a little fun with fashion and dancing your way through life!*
Until then, my sweet darlings!
With extra love and tutus galore!
Emma
P.S: Check out my pink-tutu.com website for your own perfect pink tutu! I stock the most divine range of tutus of every colour! The only colour you shouldn't be seen in? Grey... And maybe beige too! 😉 Just make sure your dance shoes are sparkling! And of course, *a little bit of glitter is always an excellent touch. You’re never too old or too anything to feel like a dancing ballerina! You can follow my adventures in all things tutu-related on social media – @TutuQueen and follow my adventures and fashion stories #PinkTutu, #TimeTravelingTutu and #TutuTravels! And remember, a little bit of sparkle always goes a long way! 💕
*P.P.S: * If you missed the 24th November, 1928 post, you can catch up at pink-tutu.com - You just have to make sure your tea is nice and strong because a little extra caffeine for a time travel spree never hurt anyone, right?! 😜
