Welcome back, darling dears! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another adventure through the magical world of ballet. This month, we’re skipping back to July 7th, 1946, for a whirlwind of ballet brilliance. Grab your pinkest tutus, because we’re about to hop aboard Magic Meg and fly back to the forties!
As you know, my lovely readers, I adore vintage ballet, and this particular date has got my heart skipping a beat faster than a Balançoire sequence. This is the date, darlings, that the Royal Ballet company returned to the Royal Opera House after its wartime exile! You can bet your bottom tiara, that's something worth celebrating!
Can you imagine the thrill of those 1946 audiences, packed in to see the likes of Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann dance their hearts out? The joy of seeing ballet back on the grand stage after the chaos and gloom of the war must have been overwhelming. I simply must get my pink tutu to the Royal Opera House back in 1946 and share in the magic!
Speaking of Fonteyn, I’m always in awe of her legendary status in the ballet world. To think, I could have witnessed her grace on stage, that dazzling elegance – she truly was a star! 💫 I imagine myself sitting in the stalls, utterly captivated, mesmerized by the artistry on display.
But don't think the 1940s were all about London, dear readers! The ballet world was already taking root across the globe. Did you know, darling, that on this very date, the famed Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, darling, was buzzing with life as it celebrated its 125th anniversary with a spectacular performance! That's two exciting ballet events happening on one glorious date – the joy of a worldwide dance extravaganza, what a privilege! Just imagine me galloping across the vast expanse of the Russian countryside, on Magic Meg’s back of course, making my way to Moscow in a flurry of pink and glitter! I’d certainly be wearing a stunning fur stole for that chilly Russian climate - you’ll see pictures of that on my Instagram of course!
And of course, where would we be without fashion? The 1940s saw the arrival of iconic tutu styles - think full-length, romantic tulle, and breathtaking layered creations! We are talking pure elegance. Now you might think ballet is all about graceful poses and elegant movements but oh darlings, even back then it was a hotbed of fabulous style! This vintage trend has inspired me to craft my very own vintage-inspired tutu - the “Fonteyn” - with delicate ribbons, delicate embroidery, and a sprinkling of sparkles to complete that perfect forties flourish. My very own collection, available on www.pink-tutu.com - just follow the link at the bottom of the blog post!
Oh darling, don’t forget my amazing rucksack, crammed full of treasures collected on my time travels! I’ll be adding a rare program from the Royal Opera House and maybe even some wartime ballet posters!
But as much as I adore these historic moments, I find it's always fascinating to hear about your favourite ballet experiences! Maybe you saw a show that made your heart sing? Maybe you even dance yourself? Tell me all about it! Leave a comment below and let's celebrate the magic of ballet together!
See you all next month, when we take another leap into history, don't forget to check www.pink-tutu.com for this month's fab fashions. Remember, darlings, every day is an opportunity to embrace the beautiful world of ballet, and perhaps even slip into your very own pink tutu! ✨ 💖
Lots of love,
Emma x
