Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-traveling blogger, and welcome to another week of Ballet Tutu History! I'm absolutely giddy today – not just because I found the most exquisite vintage lace trim for my new pink tutu project (you’ll be seeing it soon!), but also because we're whisking ourselves back to a most glamorous time: February 7th, 1933!
Can you imagine the excitement in the air? The roaring twenties were fading, but their glamour lingered. The world was still learning to embrace the era of radio, and the allure of Hollywood cinema was growing by the day. Imagine yourself seated at a beautiful, dimly lit theatre, gazing at the shimmer of beaded gowns, the murmur of conversation punctuated by the soft strumming of a grand piano… and then the curtains rise on a world of exquisite ballet!
And oh my, the tutus! I just know that even then, our tutus would have stolen the show. Perhaps the graceful swans of "Swan Lake" would be swishing across the stage, their feathered tutus capturing the moonlight. Or maybe the ballerinas would be dazzling in the whimsical frills and ribbons of a "Giselle" costume. Just thinking about it makes me want to twirl!
Of course, travelling back to 1933 requires some clever maneuvering. You see, darling, this tutu-clad adventurer pays for her escapades through my passion: dancing! I hop onto the train (always in a pink tutu, naturally), travel to the nearest town with a magnificent theatre, perform my heart out, and voilà! A generous audience ensures enough shillings to fund another jaunt through time. It’s quite the whirlwind of excitement!
And speaking of excitement, let’s dive into the news from February 7th, 1933! The newspapers were buzzing with stories about everything from the American "Baby Ruth" candy company launching a nationwide advertising campaign (who doesn't love chocolate?) to the first-ever colour motion picture broadcast across the USA! (Imagine the excitement, just the beginning of the film world revolution). Imagine all the grand ideas popping into creative minds, like a beautiful ballet sequence that you never knew could exist until you see it. Just thinking of all the fashion trends and cultural events just fills my head with thoughts about pink tutus.
There’s even a rather cheeky bit of news from our world about “Miss Joan Cox,” who apparently took to the ice in an impressive tutu – “just like the ballerinas,” the newspaper said. Oh, I just love it! More and more, tutus are being recognized not just as a symbol of elegance and grace on stage but also a testament to our daring fashion sense!
We may not be in the grand theatres of London or New York quite yet (though that’s definitely on my list, darling!), but tutus are slowly creeping into the hearts of even the most fashionable crowds. Remember, it was only a little over a century ago that tutus were purely a costume. They weren't considered “fashionable” wear – oh, how times change!
As you twirl around in your tutu this Tuesday, think of the extraordinary journey this garment has made. We've come from elegant swan costumes to the darling delights of everyday fashion!
And now, dear readers, a little something just for you: a vintage pink tutu DIY! (I just had to include this!) Take an old skirt (the flowier the better!), cut it shorter, add some delicate ribbon trims, a touch of sparkling embellishment, and - there you have it! A truly magnificent vintage-inspired pink tutu ready for your Tuesday twirls!
See you all next week with another dose of Tutu History! And, in the meantime, #spreadthelovefortutus!
Yours in pink,
Emma 💖🩰
