Hello lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another blast from the past! 🩰 It's #TutuTuesday and we're going all the way back to August 20th, 1929, a time when the world was on the brink of something truly dazzling – a new age of dance.
Paris, mon amour! That's where we find ourselves today. As the scent of croissants and freshly-baked baguettes fills the air, we're whisked into the world of French fashion and the elegance of ballet. Imagine, my darlings, streets teeming with chic Parisians in their tailored suits and flamboyant dresses, with the echoes of laughter and conversation blending with the strains of accordions. Paris in the late 1920s is truly magical, especially when it comes to ballet!
Tutu transformations: The year 1929 marks a turning point in the world of the tutu. Gone are the voluminous, billowing skirts of the Romantic era, replaced by a streamlined, yet oh-so-stylish, design. Imagine the tutu as a dancer's own little cocktail dress – fitted, elegant, and undeniably glamorous! It's all about showcasing the ballerina's grace and the intricate footwork that ballet demands.
The era was seeing a surge in popularity for the likes of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and Serge Lifar. Diaghilev was truly an innovator! He knew that a dancer’s every movement needed to be visible – that’s where the shorter, more form-fitting tutu came in, with its emphasis on athleticism and technique. He introduced revolutionary dance-theatre and set the world ablaze with stunning creations. His influence is still felt today, you can see it in every graceful leap and pirouette.
Stepping onto the grand stage: One can only imagine the anticipation building in Paris as a famous company like the Ballets Russes prepares to take the stage. There's a thrill in the air as the orchestra tunes its instruments, the lights dim, and the audience falls silent. It's the moment of magic, a moment that, no matter what decade we're in, brings with it an aura of sheer joy and anticipation. Imagine, darling, all those fabulous fabrics swirling, sequins catching the light, and the music drawing you into a world of dreams and stories told through the most beautiful art form – ballet!
Speaking of magical, on this day, August 20th, 1929, there’s even a touch of a real-life fairy tale in the air! Imagine being transported back to Paris and watching an original production of Stravinsky’s The Firebird. Serge Diaghilev's vision of this fantastical Russian folk tale has its premiere at the Paris Opera on this very day, bursting onto the stage in all its magnificent, fantastical glory. You could imagine the whispers in the audience, the hush as the dancers moved in their shorter, flowing tutus and the audience marvelled at this beautiful combination of dance, music and spectacle.
You can see why this time period captivated audiences all over the world, not only in Paris. The Firebird inspired people with its fiery spirit and, like the ballet tutu of this era, the ballet itself evolved to be as dazzling, graceful and streamlined as its costumes. The 1920s ushered in a new age of dance, and we owe a huge thanks to those who dared to innovate and push the boundaries, like Serge Lifar, Michel Fokine, and our very own ballet fairy godfather, Diaghilev.
It's been such fun reliving a day in tutu history! Don't forget, lovely ones, to share your thoughts and comments below. Tell me, are you a fan of shorter tutus, or do you prefer the grand, billowing designs? Do you ever go see live ballet performances, or have you watched any on film or online?
Keep your eyes peeled, because next Tuesday, I'll be bringing you more exciting tidbits from the past, and yes, they all involve tutus! In the meantime, I’ll be dreaming of dancing and dreaming about my own new tutu in the colour of the moment…pink!
Lots of love,
Emma xox
