#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1930-02-11

Hello Darlings!

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for our weekly dose of #TutuTuesday history! 🩰

Today, I'm whisking you away on a glamorous journey back to 1930, and trust me, it's going to be a sensational ride! 🚂

You see, my darling readers, tutudom, as we know it, didn't just pop up overnight. Like a carefully crafted costume, it evolved beautifully over time, and today we're diving into the fabulous world of tutus as they were in the roaring '30s!

So grab your favourite tea, put on a record (perhaps something by Gershwin, a bit of jazzy spirit to match the era), and let's explore! 🎶

(Before I forget, my darling fashionistas, this is blog post number 5120, in case you fancy dipping into the archives!) 💖

Imagine, dear reader, a world without smartphones or social media, where the only 'influencers' were your favourite actresses or dancers. Ah, the glamour!

In 1930, we're just on the cusp of a change. The dazzling flapper dresses of the '20s are becoming slightly more refined, yet still incredibly chic. In ballet, the story's the same!

The rigid romantic tutu of the late 1800s is slowly morphing into something more flowing. The 'Romantic Tutu' – the fluffy, tiered confection – is still the go-to for ballet, but you start to see a hint of what we now know as the 'Classical Tutu'.

Picture it! Imagine a ballet performance on the stage at Covent Garden, the heart of ballet in London. (My darling, you simply MUST see a performance at Covent Garden; the architecture is incredible, just picture a stately grand building, and you're close to imagining it.) The ladies dance in full skirts that are less voluminous than before. It's elegant, but it doesn't hold you back quite so much! It allows for faster movements and leaps! (Which, when done well, are simply breathtaking).

As I was browsing a wonderful vintage shop in Paris (ah, Paris, where else to find beautiful clothing! Especially tutus!), I discovered a little snippet of history – a photo from the premiere of ‘Swan Lake' in 1930! The dancer's tutu is a dream come true: a lovely flowing skirt, not so voluminous, perfect for that graceful yet powerful movement!

I practically gasped. This tutu wouldn't look out of place on a stage today! The use of silk is just divine; it feels soft and ethereal.

I found out a little about the tutus from that era - the designers really knew how to make a garment stand out. In the '30s, a common tutu design was a shorter, slightly gathered skirt with delicate detailing like ribbon trims and even tiny flowers. There was a lovely use of pastel colours, adding a touch of romance to the movement.

Think pink! My favourite shade, of course, but it would have been a common sight back in 1930. This, my dears, is the era that helped bring 'ballerina pink' into the spotlight! (Imagine, my sweet loves, this being the trend before 'pink-everything'! You wouldn't find a tutu in another colour – they simply wouldn't dare!).

And speaking of daring...

1930, in the grand scheme of things, was a year of fascinating contrasts. While tutus started moving towards their modern form, the world outside of ballet was in full swing! We saw the Great Depression take hold, but we also witnessed technological leaps that shaped the modern world.

Remember that time travel is quite the taxing adventure, darlings? Sometimes, it requires a little showmanship to keep me going. Imagine, for a moment, seeing your favourite ballerina gracefully take to the stage after weeks of preparation! Then, picture her landing a perfect pirouette...and suddenly the entire audience, dressed in a sea of perfectly tailored suits and sparkling gowns, erupts in applause!

Ah, what an inspiration! I wouldn't mind getting applause every time I land a pirouette.

That energy is what keeps me going, my loves. It makes this dance between the past and the present possible.

Remember, fashion and art never truly leave us. Just like a beautiful vintage tutu, it all has a story to tell. 🩰💖

What do you love about tutus, darlings? I love hearing your thoughts on my favourite subject! Let me know in the comments below! ✨

See you next Tuesday, and until then, twirl on! 💖

Yours truly,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com