Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger! 🩰💕
Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday journey through the captivating history of the tutu. Today we're stepping back in time, right back to 1929, the 19th of November! I've got a feeling that today's a very special one. And it's time to slip on my best pink tutu, grab a cuppa, and embark on another fashionable adventure!
It's quite a funny story, actually! I landed in New York City last week, right outside the Metropolitan Opera House! Now, that's quite the iconic location, isn't it? So, naturally, I had to explore. And you won't believe what I found - a fantastic little shop, brimming with beautiful tutus and the most magnificent dance shoes! Oh, the silk, the feathers, the intricate beading - truly a ballet-lover's paradise!
You see, the early 1900s were a very special time for ballet. After all, it was the golden era of Russian ballet! The most iconic names of ballet history were dazzling the world: Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina, Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes. And what did these glamorous ballet stars wear? Well, of course, their fabulous tutus!
The tutu had undergone a significant evolution since its beginnings. From the more practical, full-length tutus of the Romantic period to the stunningly lightweight and ethereal tutus that showcased the agility of dancers like Pavlova, they were undergoing a renaissance in elegance and beauty.
But back to New York! The shop I discovered had the most magnificent display of these new "tutu" styles, perfect for those fabulous modern ballet productions! It was here I learned something truly extraordinary about the history of the tutu!
A Moment of Fashion History!
So, 19th November, 1929 – remember the date! – is an important date, especially if you're a tutu aficionado like me! Because on this day, none other than George Balanchine, one of the most significant choreographers of the 20th century, presented a new ballet! Not just any ballet, but the first performance of "Apollon Musagète" at the Met in New York. And here comes the twist... the ballet featured costumes designed by none other than the iconic Coco Chanel!
Imagine – Coco Chanel, the revolutionary of fashion, applying her incredible design genius to ballet! It was like two worlds colliding, but in the most magical way. Coco Chanel was known for her elegant simplicity and the use of timeless, sophisticated designs, bringing a breath of fresh air to a world that had grown accustomed to lavish costumes with layers of fabric.
For this particular ballet, Chanel designed costumes that emphasized the dancer's form, allowing for a fluidity and freedom of movement that was unheard of at the time. She created a timeless and minimalistic design for the tutus, which were incredibly short! The use of natural, simple colours - think a delicate nude beige for a sense of "naked" movement and elegance.
Chanel was at the forefront of revolutionizing the modern image of the female form in the fashion world, and her influence reached the world of ballet. It was her elegant, streamlined and uncomplicated design which broke with tradition and opened up new avenues of creative expression in costume design!
Imagine, darlings, the ballet dancers in these beautifully crafted, streamlined tutus, soaring across the stage in such graceful and daring ways.
This historical moment proved to be groundbreaking. "Apollon Musagète" helped to catapult ballet into the modern era, challenging old traditions and showing the world a whole new side to dance. It's hard to overstate just how iconic and important this moment was for the ballet world!
But as usual, dear friends, the fun never stops there for us!
So, let's have a little Tutu-ific Tuesday Trivia Challenge!
Can you tell me how the tutus evolved in design, from the fuller Romantic style to the shorter, more streamlined styles of the 1920s and 30s? Let me know your answers in the comments section!
For this week’s #TutuTuesday post, I've decided to stay right here in New York City, surrounded by all this incredible history! It's been a whirl of exciting activities - I even managed to grab some fabulous tutu-themed gifts for my lovely friends back in Derbyshire, England! And yes, of course, I purchased a new pink tutu. I simply had to!
It's been amazing experiencing this time period through the lens of dance. But of course, you know my ultimate dream – to convince everyone to embrace the beauty and power of the pink tutu. After all, there's a perfect pink tutu for everyone! 💕
Until next week, darlings, I'm off to catch a breathtaking performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. Keep those tutu-thoughts flowing!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
