Greetings, my darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday post! This week, we're going back in time, stepping into a decade of dazzling dresses, flapper fashions, and the irresistible energy of the Roaring Twenties! Now, picture this: 1929 - just before the crash, but before the crash, there was so much joy, energy, and yes, glamour! It’s such a thrill to time-travel to a decade where people dared to be different and flaunt their style. This Tuesday, let’s celebrate the 1920s in all their fabulous glory.
Now, let's take a spin back to that iconic era, the 1920s! We'll explore the fascinating connection between fashion and ballet, and of course, how the tutu itself fit into that exciting decade. I even managed to catch a ballet performance in the heart of London, which just had to be included in this post!
The '20s - A New Era for Women & A Tutu Twirl!
The 1920s were all about liberation - the women were taking center stage in every sense. The iconic "flapper" style, with its short skirts and dropped waistlines, embodied this spirit of change and boldness. Now, if you think that doesn't sound like a ballet look, think again!
The tutu underwent a transformation too! The late 19th century tutus, long and flowing, gave way to a new style, a bit shorter, more streamlined, and often crafted with materials like chiffon or silk, reflecting the modern aesthetic. Think graceful, effortless movements. Think flapper girls! Just like those drop waistline dresses that the flapper girls embraced, the shorter tutus helped liberate the movements of the dancers and emphasised their graceful and elegant form.
But there's more to the 1920s than flappers! This era witnessed a rebirth of ballet, with new schools and choreographers revolutionising the dance scene. Russian choreographer Mikhail Fokine introduced "narrative ballet," blending dance with story-telling. I found myself completely mesmerized by the dramatic intensity and raw emotions displayed by the dancers at London’s famed Coliseum. There were some rather impressive tutus, too, with intricate details and flowing movement, truly reflecting the evolution of the tutu and the changing dance styles.
Taking in the Thriving London Theatre Scene:
Today I’m sharing a little about what it was like seeing the dazzling '20s from a fashionable London girl's point of view. I arrived at Victoria station, which felt so grand with its soaring ceilings, and instantly went to Harrods to get myself all dressed up, naturally.
That dress shop! There was such a vibrant spirit with their array of beautiful gowns, so sleek, and adorned with geometric prints and luxurious fabrics like beaded chiffons and satins. I picked out a pale pink dress with delicate lace detailing to complement the gorgeous ivory and pink tutu that I’d brought along for my theatre night out!
At the Coliseum, the whole ambiance was exciting and sophisticated! I was truly impressed with how confident, liberated, and even quite defiant, everyone seemed to be! Everyone looked incredibly chic, whether they were men in elegant suits or women adorned in gorgeous silk dresses, or perhaps in the newest ‘flapper' dresses – those drop waists are something else! The music was incredible, the dancing mesmerized me, the tutus were out of this world. And what was amazing to see? A certain feeling of liberation, a true enjoyment of dance. And that energy, that excitement - that truly was contagious!
So what's next for our tutu journey?
There are so many intriguing stories woven through the evolution of the tutu. We’re going to see just how many layers and influences shaped this graceful dance attire. So stay tuned for more tutu adventures in the future! Don’t forget, to join me next Tuesday for more Tutu Tuesday! In the meantime, grab your prettiest pink tutu and let's continue to twirl with a dash of pink into this fabulous world of dance!
*P.S. * And did I mention, it's 5th March 1929! The Royal Ballet School opened its doors that day – talk about a big day for ballet! So go grab your ballet shoes, get yourself a new pink tutu, and remember: you can never have too many tutus! Let’s make the world a bit brighter and a bit more sparkly! **
With twirls and a sprinkle of pink, Emma
