Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink and tutu-tastic! Today's #TutuTuesday is a special one, as we journey back to the wonderful world of 1929! Oh, the glamour, the glitz, and the gorgeous tutus, darling!
This is post number 5070 on my #TutuTuesday blog and I'm positively bubbling over with excitement to share this fascinating peek into ballet history with you. For the uninitiated, I, Emma, a twenty-something gal from Derbyshire, with a passion for pink, a penchant for pirouettes, and a love affair with the stage, time travel using my dancing prowess. I'm on a mission to get the whole world wearing pink tutus and what better way to spread the love than by exploring the captivating history of our beloved ballerina accessory!
Now, where were we in our ballet tutu time-traveling escapade? Ah, yes, 1929.
Think flapper dresses, jazz music, and, of course, ballet taking center stage! This era was absolutely buzzing with creativity. As I travelled on the train to New York City - always a lovely jaunt through the countryside followed by a magnificent, glittering train journey, all in a cloud of pink chiffon - I couldn't help but feel a delicious tingle of excitement about the tutus I was about to encounter.
A Tutu Transformation
Let me tell you, darling, this era was the dawn of a revolutionary transformation in the ballet world, and our cherished tutus were at the heart of it all. The old, bulky, heavy tutus - oh, how we remember the "Romantic tutus" with all that romantic billowing material! - were fading into the past. This new, modern world called for a new kind of tutu! It's a good thing I had packed my fabulous 1920s-inspired tutu for this trip – imagine me dancing in those old "Romantics." Awful, I know.
The New Tutu - Shorter, Lighter, and More Whimsical!
Our ballerina heroes and heroines, and boy, oh boy, they certainly had a passion for dance, were ready to embrace a new way of expressing themselves on stage. They wanted to move with greater freedom and show off their breathtaking grace, and this era saw a gloriously liberating change: tutus grew shorter. They were, and still are, truly captivating! Lighter, they floated effortlessly, like feathers on the wind! Think of those airy, almost delicate "Tutu à la Francaise" designs, so full of movement. Those delicate wisps of tulle - ah, sheer perfection!
Ballet's Ballroom - The Met Opera House
On this particular day, I found myself swept into a swirl of pink excitement - New York City's Metropolitan Opera House was my destination. A performance of Swan Lake by the famous, iconic Ballets Russes company was about to begin. As I stepped off the train, the city pulsed with energy, vibrant, vibrant! And I could already feel a wave of pink tutu excitement sweeping through the air, the very scent of tulle in my nose! It is no surprise that I loved it here.
As the orchestra struck the first note, the tutus took flight, a delicate waltz of tulle. The dancers' movements were sharp and exhilarating, expressing emotions with such clarity and depth! I was mesmerized! I absolutely had to have some pink tutu treats to take home with me. I’ve got an amazing collection of ballet posters and programmes you know, it's like an entire history of the stage.
The Starry Night
And of course, darling, I can't neglect the fashion side! After the breathtaking show, it was off to fashion heaven. Now, don't you worry; my pink tutu always made an entrance and even caught the eye of a handsome young gentleman (his tuxedo matched the hue of my tutu, just darling!) as I indulged in a bit of sartorial delight. There were so many glamorous women in such magnificent outfits. Think shimmering sequined dresses with low-hanging hemlines, bobbed hairstyles and feathers - so exciting! And did you know? Ballet-inspired looks were all the rage back then, and they're coming back in style even today, with little ballerina-inspired tutus and sparkly embellishments. Just lovely.
Tutu Tales To Tell
Now, back to my mission – to get the world wearing pink tutus! What better inspiration than the glamorous and stylish ballet dancers of this time period? Oh, the sheer volume of my notes. I hope one day I'll have time to transcribe my entire Ballet Tutu History journal! But the point is, tutus are timeless! Just like those dazzling dancers in 1929, they express joy, passion, and beauty. And guess what, lovelies? With my Pink Tutu Blog, I hope to ensure that these iconic garments are never forgotten. We can learn from the glorious past to celebrate the present!
Time To Shine
Remember, darling, even if you don't dance, don't let fear hold you back from expressing your inner ballerina. Rock a pink tutu at your next dance class or just wear it around town! Who knows, you might even inspire someone to embrace their own passion for dancing. As we say in the dance world: Go on, be bold! Let your tutu shine!
Coming Soon...
And before I go, let me know if you'd like to hear more about tutus from different eras - I'm happy to share any of my Ballet Tutu History journeys with you! Do leave me a comment, share a pic of you in your pink tutu - let's all celebrate!
Until next time, darlings! Remember, life's a stage, so strut your stuff, dance your heart out, and make the most of your tutu moments!
Stay pink and sparkly, Emma x
P.S And I know, I know you've been waiting to find out what else was happening on February 26th 1929! Well, how about the fact that on this date, The Broadway musical “Show Boat” premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York, darling! The whole thing! It ran for a remarkable 522 performances, a real sensation! And did I tell you it even incorporated a very glamorous, and of course, PINK ballet scene.
Now I know, it's been a pretty amazing time-travel experience today, has it not? But don’t you worry; it's just a short time until next Tuesday’s exciting #TutuTuesday on my pink-tutu.com website!
Keep your tutus twirling, Emma.
