Hello, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on a magical trip through the enchanting history of the ballet tutu. As always, it’s Tuesday, so grab a cuppa and a biscuit, and let's delve into the tutu archives for a dose of delightful 1930s glamour. Today, my friends, we’re turning the clock back to October 30th, 1934 - a day that saw not only the premiere of The Sleeping Beauty by the Marinsky Theatre in Leningrad, but also a rather special dance in Paris. Yes, I'm talking about the dazzling Ballet Russes performance of Les Sylphides.
Oh, to have been in the audience that evening! Just imagine the exquisite air of anticipation, the buzz of excitement as the house lights dim, and the murmur of appreciation as the curtain rises revealing the stage transformed into a dreamy, ethereal world. It's the sort of show that sends shivers down your spine and fills your heart with joy!
Now, while The Sleeping Beauty was a glorious production, my attention is entirely caught by Les Sylphides. It’s a piece that is a ballet-lover’s dream. The very word sylphides conjures images of wispy, feminine forms, graceful movements and billowing tutus that create a kind of magical illusion on stage. That’s what made 1934 such a fabulous year for tutus - the Ballet Russes, with its signature artistry and incredible costumes, was performing in Paris and capturing hearts, not least with their captivating use of tulle.
Did you know that Les Sylphides wasn't actually born as a full-blown ballet, it's actually an un-plotted ballet - there’s no story! It’s about expressing a mood, creating a mood with dance. And oh, what a mood it was, perfectly captured with shimmering silk tutus, elegant romantic music and some of the finest dance artistry the world had ever seen. This dance isn’t just a spectacle, it’s art on stage, a moving expression of elegance. That's the sort of experience that leaves you yearning for the stage, wishing you were wearing a pretty pink tutu, twirling your heart away to that glorious, magical music.
That’s where I come in, my dear readers! Here at Pink-Tutu.com, I believe that a tutu should be an extension of the personality, not a costume worn only for a few hours. A tutu is a symbol of the magical, the beautiful and the truly feminine. I say: let’s get everyone embracing their inner sylph - and what better place to start than with the enchanting world of tutus?
1934 - The Era of Ballet Glamour:
For those of you not already familiar, I'm Emma, a travel-loving, tutu-obsessed ballet buff from the charming county of Derbyshire, England. I’m obsessed with ballet, travel and fashion, especially all the fabulous clothing styles of the past and the ways fashion intersects with ballet history.
It’s amazing to me, as I flit through the eras ( yes, I’m a bit of a time-traveller), that the power of fashion and art continue to inspire each other across time and place. I am particularly enchanted by the tutus that dance through the pages of history, each style telling a unique story of how the artistry of dance translates into fashion, and vice-versa! I'm driven by a passion for this fascinating combination of creative beauty and to share my enthusiasm with the world, one sparkly pink tutu at a time. It's amazing to discover how often tutu designs influence contemporary trends in fashion. I can already hear your excited cries of ‘Tutu is the new Black!’, so I won’t argue, my dears!
Onward with the Fashion:
Let's bring it back to the 1930s. It’s a period full of interesting sartorial changes, and tutus were no exception!
The classic bell-shaped tutus: Those lovely romantic, flowing, ankle-length silhouettes, you know the ones, were definitely taking a central place on the stage, embodying the dreamy, otherworldly nature of Les Sylphides. Imagine these magnificent tutus, flowing with every pirouette, so perfectly evocative of the beauty and artistry of ballet! Swoon!
Colourfully flamboyant was the keyword for tutu fashion back in this era. Imagine brilliant emerald green tutus, ruby red tutus, a sapphire blue - all the vivid colours you could think of. And yes, even my favourite pink tutus were a hot favourite too, with their soft shades of rose and blush pink. There was something magical about how colours could be incorporated into designs and then brought to life in every twirl! That was another captivating aspect of tutu design back then - you had these absolutely gorgeous costumes in the most wonderful shades.
Tutus and Theatrical Design in this time were about showing off amazing tailoring and intricate designs, as well as highlighting the delicate, flowing nature of the tutu. They were quite unlike anything you see on stage these days!
Now, with all my love for fashion, you must admit that some of the tutu shapes in that era, like the long and full skirts, do seem a little clunky, even a bit too bulky to really achieve all those grand movements dancers were executing. You can almost hear the audience murmur, “But how is she getting those leaps out of that!” This makes the artistic impact even more profound. I’ve seen videos, and to achieve those grand leaps with such full skirts requires incredible technical skill.
Imagine seeing these tutus on stage in the 1930s, and the sparkle that those glittering layers of tulle had. The way these delicate layers of tulle could create amazing movement and catch the stage lights was truly magical! Swoon again! The light plays on the texture so beautifully. This is why that whole movement of adding more tulle, more layers to create those truly magical voluminous shapes, was such a pivotal part of the history of the ballet tutu. It's the magic of fabric that really captures the wonder and beauty of the dance.
I can't get over just how much I am in love with all these styles and trends. Oh, what fun I have as I skip through the different decades with my little pink notebook in hand, noting the beautiful styles from each period, just for you!
Tutu Tip of the Day: Want to capture some of the sparkle and romance of those glamorous 1930s tutus? Just find a really beautiful blush pink tulle, gather up some tulle in shades of salmon pink, pale apricot, ivory, and then some lovely pearl buttons or white glitter, for a glamorous evening out - *just like the 1930s ballerina, you will surely sparkle and dazzle!
And That's A Wrap For Today, Darlings!
Oh, and don't forget - If you are loving these #TutuTuesday blogs, tell your friends to join me in the fun on www.pink-tutu.com, there's a whole tutu community awaiting new friends to chat about tutu history, vintage tutus, and ballet.
Remember, my darlings, you are all radiant and beautiful, and a touch of pink tutu magic can go a long way.
Until next Tuesday, darling, Emma xx
