Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly! Today's Tutu Tuesday takes us on a whistle-stop tour back in time, to the roaring twenties, a decade that absolutely embraced the sheer, floaty joy of a tutu! I'm feeling particularly inspired by all the exciting things that happened on the 15th of October, 1929.
I must admit, even with my trusty time-travel suitcase overflowing with all my pinkest tutus, my heart skipped a beat when I arrived in Paris on the 15th October 1929. I hopped off the train at Gare du Nord, a vision in blush pink chiffon, and I tell you, it was like a dream come true! The air buzzed with an electric energy, with Charleston tunes spilling out from every cafe, the sound of laughter rippling through cobblestone streets. This was a time when women were demanding change, asserting their style and expressing their independent spirit.
Now, I know you might be thinking, āEmma, Paris? In the twenties? Where were the tutus?ā My dear, that's where my story gets truly fabulous! Even though ballet in Paris, or in fact, the world, was still largely a manās domain, it was in this very year that Diaghilev's legendary Ballets Russes, the biggest game-changers of ballet since the French Revolution! They returned to the stage with an incredibly innovative ballet, āLa Chatteā, an adaptation of a French folklore tale with tutu-tastic costumes by Alexandre Benois. Remember this - Benois is a BIG name in tutu history! Just like Chanel for high fashion. I tell you, it was like stepping onto a painted canvas, a world of fantasy with tutus in shades of purple and grey - imagine it - it would have been fabulous! Iāve had a vision - imagine a bright pink La Chatte! What a look!
If that's not enough to get you twirling in excitement, hold on tight, because this same day - the 15th October 1929 - the glamorous French fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin, a woman ahead of her time, introduced the ātutuā look for her iconic collection! Now, I'm talking a real game-changer, my darling readers! A silhouette that was a far cry from the old-fashioned āGibson Girlā styles of the early 1900s. This new ātutuā look, inspired by the very fashion-forward dancers of the time, was a liberation - it celebrated freedom, fluidity and feminine grace.
You see, these designs reminded women that the most beautiful form is the feminine form! They flowed and swirled, creating a vision of pure joy that could never be contained within a tight corset or a stiff, cumbersome skirt! Now this is where our beloved tutu begins its journey toward becoming a cultural icon. It's not just an undergarment for dancers anymore, itās an expression of individuality, of empowerment ā and of course - a splash of delightful pink!
But don't let me forget that day on the 15th of October 1929, it wasnāt just fashion in the air. A group of young Parisian ballerinas gathered to attend a special performance in honor of Madame Lanvinās new designs. Now imagine the scene ā Parisian streets, a slight autumnal chill, elegant ballerinas gliding towards the theater. I picture some wearing their ballet class tutus for an effortless look and others, probably sporting one of Jeanneās more lavish creations, with a playful mix of shimmering tulle and flowing velvet!
I even found an excerpt from a Parisian newspaper that day - āThere was a collective gasp when the dancers took to the stage ā a swirl of pink and feathers, a delight to the eye!ā
Honestly, whatās not to love? This is the time when tutus truly start to take flight and embrace their place on the stage of fashion history. From ballerinas in elegant tutus to fashionable women embracing the style, the twenties were a vibrant decade and weāve come a long way since then! But, as always, it all started with those first flitting, swirling moments of magic. What makes a tutu a tutu? Its ability to make everyone feel magical.
Now I know youāre ready to explore this wonderful decade further, so Iāve linked a few articles for your enjoyment: *[Insert relevant links here, ideally links to fashion history websites, online newspaper archives, or ballet related articles related to the time period ] *
You know what's next, don't you? Time to go shopping - I canāt let a day like this pass by without picking up some pink! And don't forget - keep sending in your Tutu Tuesday photos. Tell me what you loved most about this post! Until next Tuesday!
Yours in all things pink and twirly,
Emma
