Greetings from your favourite time-traveling ballerina, Emma, back with another dazzling delve into the world of tutus! It's #TutuTuesday and, my dears, you're going to be whisked back to 1930s Paris for this week's #TutuHistory adventures!
Today we are, once again, immersed in the glittering world of ballet! Can you imagine being a ballerina in the 1930s, with the whole world of dance swirling around you, each day a new costume, a new performance, a new ballet to create magic and transport audiences? I simply adore the romanticism and beauty of that era, a time when ballerinas reigned as the epitome of grace and elegance!
Oh, how I love stepping back in time to witness these beautiful shows. Last night I was swept away to the Opera Garnier. It was simply exquisite - all gaslit chandeliers, ornate gold-trimmed balconies and the swish of silk gowns! The performances at the Opera Garnier, and other Parisian theaters, are such an intoxicating experience. A heady mix of drama and spectacle that fills you with wonder and leaves you wanting to spin and leap with joy! And, of course, where would any of it be without the divine ballet tutus, darling?
The Art of the Tutu in the 1930s1930s ballet fashion saw a delightful embrace of ethereal styles. Picture the romantic lines of the Romantic Tutu. Imagine tulle layers like fluffy clouds, soft and flowing, perfectly highlighting the dancer's form! This delicate construction would make a modern dancer envious - it was so unbelievably beautiful, even a little bit daring for its time. This was the era where ballet really began to bloom, and a wonderful era for tutus it was, too.
The 1930s were also the heyday of the 'sock tutu', a wonderful blend of practical and glamorous. This little gem consisted of several layers of tulle, tucked within a soft sock of net, so incredibly clever. It had that lovely soft, swirling appearance that only a tutu can achieve, yet it provided the dancers with a bit of support in the form of the inner sock. Truly, a marvel of design!
The use of colors and patterns in 1930s tutus was simply divine, a symphony of colors. Ballet companies explored pastel pinks, calming blues, radiant yellows and the eternally elegant black, often with delicate patterns, embroidery and beaded details! They sparkled under the stage lights, adding an extra touch of magic. Can you see a lovely pastel pink or soft lilac tutu? A delicate pattern of shimmering jewels encircling the layers, creating a radiant swirl. I would happily spend a week, even a whole month, just searching for all the delightful combinations that the Parisian dancers were using!
From the Ballet Stage to Street StyleToday, even street fashion has a nod to the magic of ballet! The 'Balletcore' trend has been embraced around the globe, making tutus the new 'it-girl' item! So chic, so very now. Imagine you, a stylish young woman like me, strutting down the street in your little pink tutu, paired with an oversized sweater or a sleek trench coat and those lovely little ballerina flats! A truly gorgeous outfit! And of course, your favourite bright pink lipstick, because who doesn't love a pop of colour? A touch of je ne sais quoi - the epitome of Parisian chic, that little spark of French femininity!
I love being on the front lines of all these amazing fashion developments. As a blogger, one of the most beautiful things is the connection between the stage and street. How dance inspires, and how it informs all these styles that make us happy and express ourselves! A ballerina like me is a trendsetter, after all, especially with this 'Balletcore' thing!
Time Traveling Through FashionMy friends, don't you just love a trip to Paris, with all its elegant shops? And if there is one thing that a time traveler cannot live without, it’s the thrill of Parisian shopping! Imagine me waltzing through the department stores on the Rue de la Paix - that magnificent avenue filled with stunning Parisian fashion, with those glamorous designs, those exquisitely embroidered pieces, those breathtaking jewels!
I've just had to pop into the gorgeous Salon de Thé at the Grand Hôtel, for a spot of lunch - it's quite the haven for those in search of a spot of decadence. As for this outfit of mine... Oh, this beautiful pink tulle, a bit of a Parisian delight, I would say, this delicate bodice! The perfect, dreamy tutu to go dancing around these historic streets! And it has just the right amount of sparkly embellishment, to ensure that I am quite a beautiful sight to see as I glide by on my adventures.
Today’s Ballet AdventuresBack in 1930, one can almost taste the excitement of the new year, of what will unfold on stage! The French capital has an incredible mix of traditional ballets and innovative new work, a breathtaking combination.
I am going to attend quite the performance today, a grand spectacle, if you will. You will absolutely have to read my next blog about it, on next week's #TutuTuesday. And of course, there is no escaping some very decadent shopping before the show - how exciting! It really is all about celebrating the ballet in all its splendour!
As always, my friends, wear your tutus with confidence! Whether it's a pink tulle ballerina or a stylish little number to brighten up your outfit, embrace that spark of Parisian chic, that joyful spirit. And, remember, my mission in life is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu, wouldn't that be lovely?.
Until next Tuesday, when we take a peek into another historical dance moment, my darlings. Happy dancing!
Emma, from her pink tutu.
www.pink-tutu.com
Emma funds her adventures, and time travels, by being an incredibly successful ballet dancer. Her blog has a * huge * readership, and she has thousands of loyal fans
