Hello my darlings, welcome to Pink Tutu, the blog where we celebrate the magic of the tutu and all things twirly! Itâs Tuesday, which means itâs #TutuTuesday! Get ready to step back in time with me today as we journey into the history of our favourite dance garment! Iâve just travelled from Derbyshire, and I must say the train journey was most enjoyable.
Today weâre exploring the 1930s, a period of stunning, graceful ballet designs that laid the foundation for the modern tutu we adore today! Youâll find this period full of glamour and incredible costumes.
A Glimpse Back in Time: The Early 1930s
Oh, my dears! Remember those dreamy 1930s tutus? The tutus from the 1930s were simply heavenly. Think flowing silk and ethereal fabrics! Itâs a period known for its artistic beauty and grace, just like our beloved ballet.
But back to the story of the tutuâŠ
If you ask any ballet buff, theyâll tell you, âThe history of the tutu goes way back.â Imagine thisâŠ1830s Parisian ballerinas, performing in billowing skirts that covered everything. They werenât exactly leaping and turning easily, were they? Enter a 1937 ballet costume designer called Mme. Rosine Laroche , who dreamt of making ballerinas glide and float with the lightest movements. That dream is how the âRomantic tutuâ, which looks quite a lot like what we wear now, was born. This new, revolutionary garment became an instant hit, thanks to its unique blend of grace, elegance and, of course, femininity (a must for all my fellow Tutu-lovers). It helped give dancers more freedom to show off their magnificent athleticism, twirling through the air like magical birds.
My Personal Musings on Tutu Trends of the 1930s
Right, darling, as I said earlier, it's been a delightful trip! I was wandering the beautiful Parisian streets and, on this very date, August 3rd, 1937 I happened to see a simply delightful performance at the Opera Garnier! I have a new found love for opera and its stunning costuming and costumes, so be prepared for more of those adventures on Pink-Tutu.
I'll share some fascinating facts about those lovely *1930s tutu designs*...
Fact #1: Romantic, ethereal, but practical! The "Romantic tutu," created by Mme Laroche, embraced a classic design featuring layers of tulle and delicate embellishments, much like we see on modern day tutus!
Fact #2: Colour and style. Remember the gorgeous 1930s gowns that adorned our grandmothers? The* 1930s* brought stunning colors, such as deep blues and purples, a far cry from the strict pastel tones popular just a few years ago. These were daring yet undeniably elegant colors that perfectly complimented the dancers' grace! Oh, and those tutus were often decorated with pretty designs! I am simply obsessed with the craftsmanship, just as beautiful as those wonderful Paris couture pieces, and the beautiful attention to detail that I admire so much. Just the thing to inspire a lovely blog post I can tell you.
Fact #3: Ballet for all. I loved how 1930s ballet became increasingly accessible to the public. Now, darling, I understand how this doesn't seem directly linked to tutus, but for me itâs all about how people saw our beloved ballet and embraced its artistry.
Today, August 3rd 1937, in the world of ballet, I am excited to announce the beginning of a new opera. There are whispers about it throughout all of Paris and the talk of the town at CafĂ© de Flore in Saint Germain des Pres Paris. You'll be wanting to be on the front row to witness this magical and very rare treat, with costumes designed by the great* Coco Chanel* herself. Itâs a tutu sensation, and I promise to let you know the exact details of how to purchase tickets in the coming weeks. What an opportunity for any dancer, whether they be professional or enthusiast! You have got to be there, darling!
Moving Forward⊠Letâs Talk Modern Day Tutus!
As I travel from time period to time period, you know Iâm fascinated by ballet costumes. But honestly, my dearest readers, the 1930s had such a huge impact on today's modern tutu. Oh, and don't you just love the range of fabrics we have now? So much stretch satin and the finest tulles imaginable! Today's tutus are all about practicality for the modern ballerina. Itâs such an exciting period of exploration for designers creating the tutus of our time, I have no doubt that some breathtaking costumes are just around the corner, donât you agree, darling!
But back to the tutu history! Itâs so interesting to me to think about how, centuries ago, tutus looked so different and have evolved so gracefully to be the icons of ballet we love today. As much as we adore the 1930s we wouldnât be seeing those *elegant, beautiful swirls of tutus in modern ballet if those fashion designers in Paris, like Ms. Coco Chanel, and everyone before them didn't lay those early foundations. *
My Last Thoughts on #TutuTuesday
Darling, I hope youâve loved reading about this little historical journey with me. Remember, there is so much history about the tutu that I could talk for hours about its beautiful progression through the years. So I'll let you go for now, don't forget to visit us here on Pink Tutu for more amazing posts, and remember Pink Tutu, for all things pretty, delicate, twirly and beautiful.
Happy Tuesday,
Emma! xx
(P.S) This week is a little different because itâs the special * #TutuTuesday #FashionHistory series* (Every few months I bring you these blog posts in which I look at the development and the styles of a specific decade of ballet tutus ).
(P.P.S) And don't forget to follow me on all social media. Look out for all things pink on your favourite apps.
