Hello darlings!
It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-enthusiast, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet! Today marks another #TutuTuesday, which means a dive into the fascinating world of ballet history – and today, my dears, we’re taking a train ride all the way back to November 12th, 1929! 🚂
This week’s blog post is extra special, because not only are we uncovering a gem in the ballet world’s history, but we are also right smack in the middle of the Roaring Twenties! Can you imagine, my dears? The flapper dresses, the Charleston, and of course… tutus! 🎉
Now, I’m in Derbyshire, so believe me, a train ride to this exciting era in Paris would be heaven. Let me picture it: Paris in 1929! All those beautiful shops on the Champs-Elysees, the elegant tea rooms… And the ballet! Imagine the Parisian theatres filled with excited audiences, the shimmering stage lights, the magnificent dancers in their billowing tutus... My, my, that is the life! 🥰
Before we go into detail on all the glamour, I do need to address a little elephant in the room – 1929 was the year of the stock market crash, right? I know it can be a bit sombre thinking about that… But let’s not get carried away, we're all about bringing the pink-tutu sparkle, right? Let’s talk about how ballet continued to shine in the face of economic hardship. ✨
1929 – A year of Dancing through the Storm
So, what was happening on November 12th, 1929 in the world of ballet, you ask? Well, imagine my delight, dears! On this very date in 1929, Serge Diaghilev’s famous Ballets Russes was staging a captivating performance in Paris. Imagine the beauty! A flurry of colour, drama and of course, stunning tutus! These ballets weren't just dances – they were stories told in movement! 🎭
Ballets Russes is famous for being a little rebellious, you know? These dancers were breaking all the traditional rules of ballet! They introduced vibrant colours and outrageous costumes, including… you guessed it, stunning tutus! They weren't the pretty, frilly tutus you might see at the Royal Opera House in London – these tutus were more expressive and revolutionary! They were often longer, with daring, swirling layers and more dramatic silhouettes, and the use of exciting new fabrics. They embraced innovation and flair, mirroring the zeitgeist of the twenties. 💖
But Diaghilev wasn’t just about breaking rules. He was elevating the ballet! He wanted everyone to appreciate its beauty, from the common folk to the royal families! He didn’t want ballet to be stuffy and expensive. He made sure the stories in his dances were easy to understand and filled with emotion. He made ballet accessible to all. He wanted everyone to be captivated by the magic and storytelling! 💫
Speaking of the “magic”, let's talk a little about the costume design. Can you imagine those tutus?! It's like something out of a fairy tale – full of layers and tulle! The colours were divine! Think emerald green, rich velvet reds, shimmering golds – the bolder, the better! There were fringes and beads, even some exotic feathers. Oh my, they were truly works of art. 🤩
The tutu is still considered a key piece in ballet, a symbol of artistry, a testament to elegance. But what makes the tutus of the 1920s so interesting is their link to a fashion revolution. They mirror the daring fashion choices women made in the 1920s! The short dresses, the drop-waists, the carefree spirit – it all shines through in the designs of those tutus! And those designs inspired so much beyond the stage… Fashion houses took inspiration from them, creating stunning evening gowns and even some rather cheeky little dresses for dancing!
Travel to the World of the 1920s
So there you have it, darlings – my little journey into the glorious world of 1920s ballet, a world brimming with beauty, innovation, and most importantly, tutus! They are more than just dance wear; they are symbols of an era, testaments to human creativity, and a timeless emblem of beauty.
Next Tuesday we’re travelling even further back in time, to an era when ballet was just getting started! Get your tickets for the time machine ready! Until then, I'm going to try to get this pink tutu through airport security… 😉
*Yours in pink, *
Emma 💖
*P.S. Don’t forget to visit the website at www.pink-tutu.com! We have lots of fabulous resources and tutu-licious content. I've also started adding all of our past posts on this website, so please go ahead and browse through our #TutuTuesday history! Enjoy your week! *
Don't forget to keep sparkling! 💖 ✨
