Hello, darlings! Emma here, your very own pink tutu-clad time traveler, back with another dose of Ballet Tutu History for you lovely lot! It's #TutuTuesday, the day we celebrate the fabulous history of the tutu! This week, I'm taking you on a whirlwind train journey to 14th July 1931. Get those tickets ready, we're headed to the heart of ballet, to Paris!
Now, you might be thinking, why Paris? Well, darlings, in 1931, Paris was practically synonymous with ballet. The Paris Opera Ballet, oh darling, what an absolute dream! I've had the pleasure of witnessing their performances – it's a whirlwind of emotion, beauty, and pure theatrical brilliance! I mean, imagine the incredible stories they tell through their dances, the exquisite costumes... swoon. It's truly an art form to be admired.
Now, back to 1931! We're in the heart of the French capital, and the air is filled with the excitement of upcoming performances. You can practically smell the perfume of the lovely dancers! And I, as always, am thrilled to delve into the fashion of this glorious time period.
While the early 20th century brought with it new waves of modernity, ballet was still embracing the romantic tutu – you know, those lovely airy ones that almost touch the ground? But they weren't just frilly frills, darling, these tutus were painstakingly constructed, delicate creations! Can you imagine spending hours creating a perfect tulle layer just so the dancer could dance gracefully on stage? Just the thought sends shivers of inspiration down my spine.
I'm even tempted to put together a mini version of one myself, just for a little photo-op later this week! Imagine how fabulous it would look on my new Instagram post!
1931, of course, was the year of some pretty major ballet happenings, including a new production of “La Sylphide” at the Paris Opera! Can you even imagine? It was so fabulous! I managed to snag a few photos during my little time-trip. You see, in 1931, ballet was at the height of its popularity. There was a kind of theatrical craze. Theatres were packed with enthralled audiences wanting to be swept away by the sheer magic of the dancers.
Oh, I could go on for hours about the excitement, the wonder, the fashion of 1931!
But that wouldn't be very good for this post would it?
Anyway, darling! It wouldn’t be a #TutuTuesday without a little more tutu talk, so here's a juicy tidbit just for you. Did you know that the tutu is actually a product of the ballet itself?
Believe it or not, they didn't exist before ballet became popular in the 19th century! So it's actually a sign of just how fabulous ballet became. It sparked not only new dances, but even new garments. How fabulously inspiring!
For this post, darling, I decided to put on my absolute favourite pink tulle tutu. You know the one with all the frills, it's a bit over the top for most, but I find it absolutely darling.
And to celebrate, I took a little trip on a gorgeous vintage train, from London up to Derbyshire where I grew up! What better place to talk about tutus than in the glorious English countryside? So you're going to have to imagine a little English village, with the fresh breeze blowing past and beautiful trees framing my favourite, tutu-adorned picture spot.
What is there to say, except, darlings! It’s #TutuTuesday, a wonderful, delightful day, perfect for embracing a little glamour and history in the form of a wonderful tutu! Now, until next week, keep dancing and don't be afraid to dream in pink!
Your fashionista time traveler,
Emma
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