Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, where we celebrate the history of ballet and its most enchanting garment: the tutu!
Today, we're whisking ourselves back to August 1st, 1933. It’s my 5,301st post and I'm brimming with excitement because this is the date of something absolutely fantastic!
Now, let’s step off that time-traveling train and into the world of 1933! It’s a thrilling time for ballet, darlings, full of vibrant costumes, innovative choreography, and of course, breathtaking tutus. I imagine I’d have just as much fun at a ballet this decade as I would at any performance today.
Tutus in 1933:
The tutu we know today has been around for some time but 1933 marks an era of incredible development in ballet costume design. This was a time of movement away from the restrictive, heavy corsets and frills of earlier decades. Think elegant lines, flowing fabrics, and a whole lot of ethereal movement.
Tutus began to evolve from the knee-length, multi-layered "romantic" style to the shorter, more revealing "classical" tutu, perfect for showcasing those graceful legs! Ballet is a wonderfully artistic world where movement and dance become one with a dance dress. The shorter tutu became popular thanks to it being light enough to allow for incredible leaping and twirling.
Think ballerinas swirling across the stage like graceful butterflies in delicate, sheer, pastel coloured tutus with the simplest of decorations. These ballerinas, both on the stage and in their daily lives, would have looked perfectly delightful wearing the beautiful designs I’ve been able to bring to this era!
Tutus for Every Occasion!
It wasn't all about the stage! Believe it or not, back in 1933, the "tutu" look was making waves in the everyday world too! I can imagine fashion-forward ladies donning little tulle skirts with tea dresses for afternoon teas and garden parties. This must have looked positively darling! I've got a sneaking suspicion that the colour pink must have been a popular choice in that time too.
The Theatre!
Now, let's step out into the world of London’s theatre scene. In 1933, there were already many renowned dance companies like the Sadler’s Wells Ballet performing on the stage. I just picture myself heading out to the theatre with my trusty travelling companion and fellow ballet fan, my pocket-sized sketchbook and a pencil, and perhaps an afternoon tea in between the afternoon's events. Imagine, dancing, sketching, and a sweet treat or two! Pure delight.
But wait, there's more! Just in time for a lovely late afternoon tea with my darling travel companion in August, on this very day, a thrilling new production opened in London. Imagine: "The Merry Widow" starring the wonderful Gracie Fields, the adored English actress of the day, just a stone’s throw from Sadler’s Wells Ballet. Now wouldn’t that be a fabulous and wonderfully exciting evening?!
I love learning how far back our love for the tutu goes! What is even more charming is that this enchanting garment seems to transcend the years. I could spend hours perusing my own personal collection of old dance costumes from this era.
That’s all for this week, my lovely darlings. Remember to follow me on Instagram and join the pink-tutu revolution by rocking your own tutu, whether it’s on stage or at the park. Spread the pink-tutu love! Until next time!
