Hello lovelies! 🩰 It’s Emma here, your trusty Tutu Time Traveller, bringing you the latest news from the world of the tutu, straight from the glittering stages of… well, you wouldn’t believe it, this time I’m in Paris, darlings! I just had to see the ballet at the Palais Garnier. Such a glamorous treat!
Anyway, today's #TutuTuesday post is all about the Romantic tutu. Oh, I'm in love with the graceful swish and the way they skim the stage - just heavenly! You know me, I just can't resist a good tutufied journey through time. And trust me, this little trip back to the 1920s has me swooning over the history of the Romantic tutu and what a fabulously glamorous fashion era it was for ballet.
Let me take you back to September 3rd, 1929. Picture a world filled with dancing ladies in feathered hats, shimmering sequins, and flowing chiffon skirts. And don't forget the tulle!
Imagine being at the premiere of a ballet masterpiece. The stage lights illuminate a scene straight out of a fairytale, and as the ballerina leaps across the stage, the tutu becomes a shimmering halo of gossamer, like spun sugar. I just adore that ethereal lightness and how they're so unbelievably romantic!
But what makes this style of tutu so special, and why was the early 1900s the perfect time for them to truly flourish?
It's a blend of two main threads, if you will, intertwined with historical events:
First: The rise of the Romantic movement in ballet. Can you imagine a ballerina effortlessly swirling across the stage in a long, flowing skirt, her every movement echoing the elegance and passion of the Romantic era? This style was all about graceful fluidity, graceful jumps, and showcasing feminine beauty.
This style allowed ballerinas like Marie Taglioni to achieve heights previously unheard of - a revolutionary approach that was as visually stunning as it was innovative.
Secondly, let’s talk fashion, darlings! The 1920s brought the flapper era, and what do we find at the heart of that fashionable frenzy? A love for light, breezy fabrics like tulle and chiffon - perfectly mirroring the graceful swirls of the Romantic tutu! This trend was everywhere – think fluffy feathers, beaded tassels, and delicate embroidery - creating an image that oozed feminine elegance. It’s truly wonderful to see how the trends of the day directly influenced the shape and look of the tutu.
As you can see, the 1920s weren’t just about exciting, flapper dresses. The romanticism that filled the air was beautifully expressed in the art of ballet, where the delicate grace of the Romantic tutu danced alongside the elegant dresses and feathered accessories worn by fashionable ladies.
On this very day, in 1929, London was abuzz with exciting events that would go on to change the world. There was the Grand Prix at Epsom, where racing fans watched some incredible performances. Meanwhile, down in the capital, everyone was in awe of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as they took the stage at Covent Garden, dazzling audiences with a spectacular show of dance and artistry! Now, how could a Tutu Tuesday blogger like myself resist such an enchanting opportunity?
Speaking of spectacular, this evening I was lucky enough to be at the Ballet Russe for Sergei Prokofiev's ‘Le Pas d’Acier’. It was so breathtaking to see how perfectly the choreography danced around the gorgeousness of the dancers' Romantically-styled tutus. Such a triumph of movement and emotion - it felt like watching a fairytale unfold before my very eyes!
For all you fellow ballet enthusiasts, I'd say this Romantic tutu is definitely a classic worth savouring. Its graceful simplicity and elegance make it a perfect choice for any ballet performance, even today!
Now, remember what I say: Every woman is a ballerina, waiting to bloom in a beautiful pink tutu. Until next week, darlings! Remember, you can find me over on www.pink-tutu.com for all things tutu-rific!
Lots of love and sparkly twirls, Emma 💖
P.S. Did you know you can also learn how to sew your own tutu? What's more fun than creating something beautiful and girly with your own two hands? 🪡 Don't worry - there's a fabulous tutorial on the website, it's so simple, anyone can do it! It's also great for a girly afternoon activity, if you need a project for you and your friends!
P.P.S. And don't forget, darlings, keep an eye out for my latest video on my Youtube channel, "Pink Tutu Adventures", coming up tomorrow - you don't want to miss it! It's a whole episode dedicated to Parisian street fashion, featuring my newest, absolutely fabulous, pink-tutu-inspired outfit. 💖
