Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again for another instalment of #TutuTuesday! Today, we're waltzing our way back to September 17th, 1935. Picture it: Paris, oh darling Paris! The air is buzzing with excitement, the fashion is divine, and of course, the ballet is simply sensational.
Now, if you thought tutus were a modern invention, well, you'd be wrong, dear reader! The early tutus were all about practicality, my love, giving ballerinas the freedom to move. But in 1935, things were starting to get decidedly glamorous! This was a golden age for the ballet. Tutus became even more intricate and flamboyant, with shimmering silks and elegant lace becoming all the rage.
Imagine a stage aglow with the delicate pastel hues of Sergei Diaghilev's Les Sylphides. Can you feel the light whisper of silk as ballerinas glide through the air? It's magical, utterly enchanting!
And speaking of enchanting... today we have a truly special event!
The grand premiere of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Can you imagine the sheer excitement? Just picturing those stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography is enough to send my own heart fluttering. The world was captivated by their artistic brilliance, and it's easy to see why!
What makes this era of ballet so fascinating for a tutu-lover like me? The design! The craftsmanship! Think swaths of silk, carefully crafted layers, and exquisitely tailored bodices. The tutus became a statement of artistry, a celebration of the female form. We see bold, beautiful designs pushing boundaries, exploring texture, colour, and elegance.
You might think I'm a little biased, darlings, but for me, there is nothing quite like seeing a ballerina take to the stage in a magnificent tutu. The way the fabric dances, flows, and spins with the dancer's movement is a sight to behold! It's pure theatre! It's a symphony of colour and movement!
And you know, the love of tutus is something we all share, even in those days gone by! My trip through the archives found some wonderfully fascinating tidbits:
- Remember our old friend, George Balanchine, he of the incredible ballet company "New York City Ballet?" Well, dear, he was already starting to make waves in 1935. His choreography, bold and modern, paired so beautifully with the evolving world of the tutu. Imagine it, a thrilling combination of traditional grace and new artistic expressions!
- Fashion icon Elsa Schiaparelli, famed for her outrageous designs, was deeply interested in the world of ballet. Who could forget those extraordinary, sculpted evening gowns! It’s easy to see how that bold creativity inspired the bolder lines in the 1935 tutus.
And wouldn't you know it, I had a marvelous encounter on my trip today. A dear, delightful woman, in a pale pink frock, perfectly matching my own, was utterly engrossed in her needlepoint while excitedly talking about "a new show by Balanchine". We shared tea and lemon cakes at a quaint little cafe, discussing the future of ballet! Isn't it wonderful how our love for this art transcends time and even connects us with strangers across continents?
Back to you, darling! Tell me, what catches your eye when you picture those shimmering 1935 tutus? Do you envision long flowing layers or something with more dramatic ruffles? Tell me in the comments, and don't forget to tag your own tutu-tastic pictures with #TutuTuesday and share them on our Instagram. We want to see your own expressions of dance!
Remember, darling, you don’t have to be on stage to experience the magic of the ballet. Put on your own version of a pink tutu (you can't go wrong, truly!) and embrace your inner ballerina. We all have the power to turn a Tuesday into a Tutu Tuesday!
Until next week, darling, and stay fabulous!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
