Hello my darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time travelling companion, ready to whisk you back to a glamorous era where fashion and ballet intertwined like the graceful movements of a pas de deux. Today we’re twirling through the shimmering 1930s, where #TutuTuesday takes on a whole new meaning. Let's dive into the world of fashion on the 25th of November 1930.
I'm so excited about this week's topic! I must admit, there was something incredibly magical about this era, especially in Paris. The city pulsated with the creativity of Coco Chanel and the luxurious flair of designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, who made even everyday clothing a work of art. They said goodbye to restrictive corsets and embraced fluid silhouettes and modern cuts. They were fearless and unafraid to play with bold colors, fabrics like silk, satin, and luxurious velvet. You can really see their influence on ballet costumes!
Remember how I adore going to shows? This era was no exception! The Palais Garnier, the majestic Parisian opera house, was the center of all things ballet, dazzling with its exquisite grandeur. I’m lucky, I saw an incredible performance of 'La Sylphide' with Olga Spessivtseva. Her graceful movements, her shimmering costumes! Let me tell you, the tutus back then had an ethereal charm that you don’t often see nowadays. Light as air, delicately crafted, and utterly feminine, it captured the spirit of romanticism and freedom, a stark contrast to the strict styles of the earlier Victorian era. It’s all about flowing lines, the emphasis on airy tulle and, of course, those breathtaking pastel shades that my fellow pink-loving hearts are sure to adore.
The women of the 1930s weren't shy of making a statement. This is an era of the "flapper" look – dresses with a shorter hemline allowing a peek at those oh-so-daring legs and a sense of movement that was incredibly freeing. The famous designer Madeleine Vionnet created this revolutionary style of draping. A daring statement in those times! Imagine yourself walking through the cobbled streets of Paris, in a chic flapper dress and a hint of your signature tutu, with the scent of Chanel No. 5 lingering in the air – it's pure magic, darling!
Even in those days, fashion inspiration spilled out of the theatre. Fashion, especially for women, was becoming more daring. Gone was the constricting undergarments that had dominated the fashion for so long and instead came a loose fitting style of dress, and a style that allowed more movement. But a passion for beauty, creativity, and artistry in design remained. We can thank designers like Schiaparelli, for revolutionising fashion, by merging art and the unconventional into haute couture.
My love of fashion goes hand in hand with exploring the beauty of the world! Today, I caught a train from London, which was bursting with chic Parisian ladies, to Derby. The trains were still a thrilling new method of transportation, so imagine, darling! – Travelling from Paris, on a plush velvet train carriage, a view of the beautiful countryside as the sun sets… Now wouldn't that be the perfect scene to wear a gorgeous new tutu! Imagine how excited those women in their flapper dresses would have been to spot a woman twirling around the carriages in her dazzling pink tulle masterpiece!
As I’m sat on this train carriage, writing this blog post, my pink tulle tutu rustling softly around me, I’m starting to feel incredibly lucky. Just thinking about my amazing travels, experiencing these different fashion periods, getting inspiration from incredible designers… It’s making me long to visit New York and explore the fashion there in this era, or to travel across to Japan! I imagine I’d even find a vibrant, flamboyant geisha wearing an extraordinary kimono, so exquisite and bold it’d make any pink tutu proud!
Okay, back to reality, I think we should explore some more amazing tutus and 1930s looks for the rest of the week. I’ve just finished up the script for an enchanting performance and, my dears, I cannot wait to see what costumes will grace the stage!
But before I whisk myself off to another era, remember darlings, never lose your sparkle, be bold, be creative, and keep the magic of tutu-loving fashion alive!
Until next Tuesday, happy twirling!
With much love,
Emma xx
