Greetings, my darling tutu-loving friends!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing historian of all things tutu! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday and another peek into the wonderful world of tutu history!
Today, my dears, we're stepping back in time to the 28th of January 1936. I've travelled via the most fabulous train, decked out in my most glamorous pink tulle, and landed in the heart of... well, let's just say that Paris was a rather different place in 1936, shall we?
Firstly, my dear, I do love Paris! Even back in 1936, the City of Lights buzzed with artistic energy, fashion, and all things wonderful. But alas, while Paris might be known for its ballet today, in 1936, it was all about a different form of dance altogether: the Charleston! You see, my darlings, in this era, Paris was entranced by the lively, swinging, almost "scampish" dance that everyone was doing - and it made it awfully difficult for our beloved ballerina tutus to gain some well-deserved attention!
Don't get me wrong, my darling, ballet was alive and kicking in 1936. The legendary dancers, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, and Margot Fonteyn were dazzling audiences. But the world was very much preoccupied with flappers and the roaring 20s, so tutus, while always fabulous, had to wait a bit to step back into the limelight!
I'm picturing all the chic ladies in Paris donning sleek flapper dresses, and you know, it's hard not to imagine these chic ladies twirling about in a fabulously glamorous pink tutu... even a little bit of Charleston charm added to our favourite piece of ballerina fashion? Why not? Now that's an image that gives me the chills!
Today on the 28th of January, we don't see any iconic tutus twirling at the Parisian Opera, alas! There is a magnificent production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," an operatic masterpiece in full glory, which would have certainly featured its own wonderful gowns, though no twirling ballerinas sadly. But do you know what this tells us? It tells us that even with a bit of delay, our dear tutus were only on a temporary pause!
Remember my darling tutus have had a long and magnificent journey. And with some incredible dance legends around and new ballerinas coming into the scene, our dear tutu will be back in the spotlight very soon. Just you wait and see! I’m putting a wager down that the Parisian ballet will embrace our lovely ballerina skirts very, very soon! And once we're twirling around the Palais Garnier, you know it’s a full-blown tutu triumph for us!
Well my dear tutus! Now off I go, back to my comfy English cottage, Derbyshire! Time to indulge in some tea and crumpets, and to find out more about how our favourite garment came to shine! And don’t forget, my darling tutus, join me here on next week's #TutuTuesday!
Stay Fabulous,
Emma
P.S. Have you spotted any amazing historical tutus, my dears? Or are there any iconic ballet performances from this time period? Share your insights and pictures on pink-tutu.com !
*Let's keep spreading the tutu love and get the whole world wearing them. *
Tutu Tuesday, Let's make history!
P.P.S Remember, all of my time travels are funded through my passion for performing! I perform at all kinds of venues! Maybe you can catch me dancing at the Royal Opera House or the West End Theatre, and help fund my research of all the fabulous history of the tutu. I'll be twirling in my favourite pink, so look out for me! You know what to look for. 😉
