Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, and today I'm taking you back to the roaring 1920s for a delightful dose of #TutuTuesday history! Now, I know, the 1920s? Isn't that rather ahem, dated for a tutu enthusiast like myself? Well, fear not, darlings! This decade was actually a thrilling time for ballet tutus, marking a dramatic shift towards the iconic style we adore today.
We're whisked away to the heart of Paris, darling, where the fashion scene was truly booming. The trains are filled with fashionistas, and I can just imagine myself dashing through the cobblestone streets in my most chic outfit, ready to soak up the artistic energy of the City of Lights! (Sadly, my time travel doesn't allow me to wear a pink tutu whilst in motion – you see, there's always some inconvenient detail when you're dealing with the mechanics of time travel.)
As the 20th century was bursting with excitement and energy, the world of ballet was taking note. Our tutus began to shed those pesky layers! Imagine it, darlings, those cumbersome petticoats and yards of fabric. Imagine a graceful ballerina hampered by layers and layers of itchy fabrics!
The revolutionary designs of the day – thanks to the creative visionaries like Serge Diaghilev and his Ballet Russes, Diaghilev, Vaslav Nijinsky and Tamara Karsavina, who have inspired countless ballerinas and ballet fans even today – ushered in a new era of simplicity, elegance, and artistry. Now, this doesn't mean all tutus had been bulky before! We’ve seen tutus worn by the Parisian Opera Ballet as far back as the mid-19th century! In fact, there is a beautifully embroidered example dating back to 1840 currently at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, proving just how lovely tutus have been since before this modern period!
This new age of elegance found inspiration in the fashion world's embrace of the "garçonne" silhouette. Imagine this, darlings – sleek lines, shorter hemlines, and a feeling of liberation for the feminine form! Imagine the excitement that emanates from a revolutionary new way of expressing oneself! This movement truly impacted everything, from dress styles to ballet costume design. It's during this period that we see those wonderful iconic tutus begin to take shape – shorter and less restrictive than ever before. They had been long and flowing before this era!
Of course, I just had to attend a ballet performance in the city where so much of the artistic action is happening. I am lucky enough to travel by train to my ballet show, where the wonderful atmosphere of anticipation fills the carriage, the seats filled with all sorts of beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen. You could see by their outfits the thrill that permeates Parisian life - so thrilling and glamorous. Just as we are about to enter the opulent theater, the conductor announces to us over the loudspeaker: "The Russian ballet company Ballets Russes, are here! " We cheer. "It's opening night! Tonight they will present ‘The Sleeping Beauty’! Tonight they are opening the Ballets Russes season!" My goodness, could this be more exciting?! Everyone, young and old, are ready to revel in this evening of beauty. The night unfolds with grace and magic; and the tutus, of course, shine in every moment. These shorter, more elegant tutus allowed the ballerinas to move freely, giving audiences a taste of true grace and elegance – that unmistakable style that we know and love so dearly, the "ballerina look" - how fabulous!
Imagine this: the costumes on stage are becoming more abstract. Ballet outfits are evolving with the times – what could be more lovely?! Now, while we all appreciate those breathtaking white and pink tulle wonders (those classic designs are forever my favourite!), it wasn't always that simple, you see! You might have to imagine ballerinas in colorful costumes made of silk, satin and velvet (and yes! - some even wore fluffy pink tutus!) - think vibrant colours, flowing lines and you'll start to get the idea. It's about feeling the grace and power of each move, darlings.
Here's a fun fact to think about as we sit in this gorgeous, and beautifully adorned and decorated theatrical environment – that familiar iconic look, with a bare, powdered chest? That all came later! For now, it was about the movement, the story told on the stage, and the emotions we felt as spectators – it’s all about storytelling, about transporting our imaginations to those fantastical worlds. I, personally, could not dream of a more wonderful way to travel to the past!
As we leave the theatre that night, everyone is buzzing and chattering, with everyone exchanging opinions on the beauty and skill on display this evening. And I am so delighted to see this evening's lovely ballerinas gliding home, and out on the Parisian streets, still wearing the exquisitely crafted, intricate and complex costumes - their elegant silhouette is something truly to admire. All eyes are on these glorious Parisian fashionistas! Fashionistas that are now adorned with **ballet style clothing.
Let’s be honest - isn't this a fabulous little nugget of history to tuck into your #TutuTuesday collection, darling? And isn't it just delightful to think how the era’s changing style not only influenced the dance itself but also helped to shape the very silhouette of the ballet tutu we know and love today? Who doesn't want to wear a lovely tutu and feel this sense of elegance, freedom, and creativity?!
You know what? I feel I just have to have another tutu shopping spree! The thought of this Parisian adventure just has to inspire some exciting additions to my wardrobe - pink tutu? Pink tutu of course! But I'm off to explore more of these elegant styles! I promise to bring you back more delightful titbits of ballet history soon - don't you dare miss the next #TutuTuesday installment of our journey!
Till next week, darlings! And don’t forget to pop over to my blog and share your love of tutus - the comments section awaits you!
Have you had a lovely time in Paris, my dears? What are your favourite Ballet Tutus and where did you see them? Tell us in the comments below!
Yours, in pink tulle, * *Emma
P.S. Don't forget to follow me on social media! Just search for “pinktutu.com” and I'll pop up to tell you my very latest fashion obsessions. And I also just love getting tagged in pictures! Don't be shy about sharing your #TutuSelfie with me.
