Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another delightful jaunt through ballet history, this week celebrating the glorious year of 1937! As usual, I've been doing my bit for spreading the pink tutu gospel and encouraging all of you lovely people to get out there and wear your tutu with pride, whatever the occasion!
It's amazing how I manage to get around, don't you think? This week I found myself hopping onto a rather luxurious Orient Express train (yes, they do still exist!) in search of ballet beauty in Paris, France. This city is simply bursting with sartorial flair and stunning architecture, and of course, its own captivating ballet scene. I just had to investigate what sort of gorgeous tutus were twirling across the stage back in 1937.
This post, my darlings, marks a momentous milestone – it's blog post number 5487 for Pink-Tutu.com! Five thousand four hundred and eighty-seven, to be exact, all dedicated to the beauty of ballet, the romance of tutus, and my absolute favourite colour: pink! Can you believe it?! And I have to say, it just keeps getting better and better! ✨
So, on this lovely February 23rd, 1937, let's slip into a time-traveling pink tutu and go back to the grand Palais Garnier, Paris. Can you just imagine being a member of the audience, witnessing the beauty of a live performance? Oh, it simply sets my soul on fire!
And what was the highlight on the 23rd of February 1937? It had to be the beautiful, ethereal, and oh-so-romantic "Giselle," the classic ballet by Adolphe Adam. Now, let's be honest, a performance of "Giselle" is a simply must-see! I was utterly captivated.
You know what's fabulous about ballet from the 1930s? The tutus were just divine! There were graceful, delicate white tutus that made the dancers seem like wisps of air floating on stage. Oh, to be up there with them, wearing one of these beautiful, swirling creations! And then, of course, the Romantic style introduced dramatic use of layers of tulle to make the ballerinas appear truly majestic. You really have to give those designers of the time credit. They knew exactly how to create an alluring silhouette for the graceful movements of a ballet.
Now, the wonderful thing about fashion, darling, is its evolution, its reinvention! We see the beautiful echoes of the 1930s tutus reflected in the designs of today's costumes, especially with contemporary ballet companies like the Birmingham Royal Ballet. That stunning "Swan Lake" choreography - the tutus are simply magical. It gives you chills, just seeing it all come to life!
Now, before we go on to what you absolutely have to wear this week, just imagine how fantastic the ballet scene was back in 1937.
Remember that it was the era of Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes! Oh, I just dream of traveling back to their time. His innovative work was legendary, and it completely transformed the world of ballet and fashion. Diaghilev brought a unique, colorful, and extravagant artistic vision to the stage. You just had to be there!
Imagine! This meant the costumes and set designs were a work of art. Not only the tutus, but the beautiful fabrics and the incredible craftsmanship were phenomenal. Think velvet, silk, lace, and intricate embroideries - pure enchantment!
It really wasn't surprising then, that fashion design started reflecting ballet, with the famous Paris fashion houses embracing ballet styles and themes. The Parisian socialites were all swooning over those elegant flowing skirts inspired by the ballerina's tutus. The "Romantic Era" of ballet inspired beautiful, long skirts, adorned with tulle and silk ribbons, oh, simply lovely! Imagine yourself in a shimmering gown, just like a ballet dancer! ✨ And of course, what good is a gown without the appropriate headdress? I'm all for wearing a little bit of that ballerina magic, whether I'm waltzing down the aisle, heading to a posh ball, or just nipping into the local bakery for a fresh baguette. It’s all about embracing that feeling of twirling and expressing our femininity!
Did you know that back in the 1930s, one of the top dancers was Anna Pavlova? She became a true icon in her own time. She even became the inspiration for a stunning collection of evening gowns by Jean Patou, one of the most sought-after Parisian couturiers. This was such an extraordinary connection between the stage and the streets.
Now, this week's fabulous fashion tip is all about embracing the ballerina within. How are you going to embrace the 1937 Parisian chic and Romantic era style?
*Embrace your inner ballerina! * Think soft colors, flowy fabrics, and dainty accents! And for those of you feeling truly daring - remember it's #TutuTuesday and the perfect excuse to wear your favourite tutu. Why not grab your most elegant skirt, add a touch of sparkle, and channel your inner Pavlova, ladies?
Next Tuesday, I will be venturing through the pages of Ballet Tutu history once again, so please join me! It’s always such fun to travel back in time, so hop on the Pink-Tutu time-machine and let's twirl together!
See you soon, my darlings, and don’t forget – Spread the tutu love! ✨💖
Emma
