Greetings, my lovely lovelies! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-traveling guide to the glorious world of ballet. Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a jaunty journey to the glittering heart of ballet - Paris, 1937! Buckle up your tiaras, ladies, as we delve into the world of tutus in a time of stunning creativity, dazzling fashion, and captivating performances.
This week marks blog post number 5490 (can you believe it?!), so get ready for another delightful dip into the enchanting history of our beloved tutu!
Now, imagine this: it's a crisp spring morning, and I'm perched at a little café in the heart of the Marais, the scent of freshly baked pastries wafting around me, as I sip my café au lait, surrounded by cobbled streets buzzing with Parisian life. But what I'm really looking forward to this evening is seeing a spectacular performance at the Paris Opera, which I must admit is looking pretty darn splendid, I’ll admit, all adorned for a grand production. This is the very year that Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes are performing here - truly the cream of the crop!
Imagine: a swirl of breathtaking colour, the energy of dazzling costumes and the sheer beauty of exquisite movements – I just can’t wait to experience this iconic troupe, and guess what? I'm about to discover the tutus that took the stage by storm during this historic season!
1937: A Time for Experimentation and Glamour
The ballet world was ablaze with experimentation and creative fervour during this era. The 1930s saw tutus undergoing a transformation, breaking away from the "rigid and restrictive" styles that had dominated the previous decades, towards something more modern, with swirling silhouettes and exciting new materials! Can you believe that the ballerina’s costume - our very own beloved tutu! - started to incorporate daring innovations, including layers of tulle for incredible volume, stretchy fabrics for incredible fluidity, and playful accents like bows, ribbons and embellishments for a touch of delicate whimsy! The "fluffy" tutus, much like the kind I’m wearing, are definitely having their moment - what fun!
The Ballets Russes were instrumental in propelling these bold new tutus onto the world stage. Their dancers embodied these styles, swirling across the stage in the "fluffy," soft tutus with layers of tulle that really caught the light – making it even more captivating on stage. I can imagine their movements just dancing and floating across the stage, so very lovely and elegant, simply gorgeous.
The "Pink Revolution" - A Dream Come True?
Speaking of tutus and whimsical elegance, just like you lovely ladies, my absolute favourite hue is - wait for it – PINK!! (Of course, it had to be pink!) Now, while we don't see much pink in the 1937 tutus of the Ballets Russes, I have a secret plan! It is my grand life’s ambition to launch a Pink Tutu Revolution, and bring a whole new generation of dancers to embrace the wonder of pink! My blog is a huge part of that mission! I imagine tutus of every shade imaginable taking the world by storm, just picture it - a symphony of soft rose, bright magenta and deep raspberry! Imagine the sheer joy it would bring to every ballet show and performance! I have such exciting plans in store to inspire all you lovely readers to wear pink tutus everywhere you go!
A Moment to Reflect...
It’s a lovely thought to see these beautiful designs taking to the stage all those years ago, but even beyond the dazzling costumes and glamorous performances, there’s a wonderful story in how much these early tutus pushed creative boundaries! Just like the world was about to shift into new trends and fashion styles - and just as a beautiful new shade of pink has the potential to sweep the nation (don't worry, that is coming to a blog post soon!) - these tutus represent something far bigger than just fabric: they symbolise innovation and artistic passion.
I'm so grateful for all those brave and talented designers, dancers and performers who gave birth to the evolution of the tutu, just like all of us – we have our own way of creating new fashion moments, expressing our passions, and celebrating the artistry within!
Oh, don't forget! My trip through history wouldn't be complete without a touch of glamour, so today's shopping splurge is heading to the Galeries Lafayette, the ultimate destination for stunning Parisian fashion. The displays in their windows alone are enough to spark endless inspiration! I’m definitely coming away with a few vintage trinkets that perfectly capture the fashion spirit of 1937 - maybe a delightful hat or some delicate pearls – just because a little sprinkle of vintage is the perfect finishing touch!
To All My Fellow Tutu Enthusiasts!
Whether you're just getting started with your own ballet journey or a seasoned aficionado, remember, the spirit of ballet is all about passion, creativity and sharing a love for this incredible art form! I'm incredibly excited to see what the world of ballet has to offer you next week. Until then, I hope your week is filled with beautiful dance moves and shimmering outfits, and don't forget to wear your prettiest pink tutus (in any style you fancy)! Until next #TutuTuesday!
Lots of love and pink tutus,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I'm taking you to another extraordinary ballet adventure. But you have to promise me you’ll embrace a splash of pink! (The perfect color to bring a bit of light to a grey day, don’t you think? )
