Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, back for another fabulous foray into the glorious history of ballet!
This week, we’re waltzing our way back to the 1930s, specifically to 8th October, 1935, a day ripe with glamorous potential!
Before I tell you all about it, darling, I just had to dash into a Parisian boutique for the most darling pair of ballet slippers! Imagine – pale pink satin with a touch of shimmering silver sequins and a delicate bow that makes my heart sing! I simply can't resist a touch of Parisian flair, can you?
Right, back to our history! 1935 – the very definition of elegant extravagance! Fashion was positively booming, darling. We were swimming in silk, sashaying in satin, and simply dripping with delightful details. And let's not forget those dazzlingly high-heeled shoes! Think ankle straps and delicate straps with a touch of embroidery - the epitome of feminine charm. And guess who led the way? You guessed it, my dear friends - the ballet!
Ballet, with its stunning grace and poise, was all the rage in the 1930s. We had Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in full swing, sweeping audiences off their feet with their extravagant designs and innovative choreography. We saw ballet move from the exclusive world of grand theatres into cinemas and the burgeoning world of Hollywood! Remember Ginger Rogers, dancing in her glorious gown with Fred Astaire in “Top Hat”? The elegant movements and the glamorous costumes were all inspired by the elegant ballet!
Now, on this specific day in 1935, something rather exciting happened, darlings. On October 8th, 1935, the "International Congress of Dance" opened its doors in Prague, inviting a selection of the most influential dancers of the era.
Imagine – a gathering of the brightest and most talented dancers from across the globe! Just the thought fills me with an almost dizzying feeling of excitement.
This congress was an important milestone in the development of dance – it brought dancers together to discuss choreography, styles, and the future of this art form we all adore.
For a dancer like me, that's the equivalent of a pink tutu convention with delicious pastries and gallons of champagne! Can you imagine the discussions? "Darling, wouldn't a three-tiered tutu be divine? Simply divine!" Or "Have you seen the newest trend? All the fashionistas are wearing feather boas in their hair!" The ideas swirling around that meeting must have been mind-blowing!
But beyond the international stage, ballet was blooming everywhere. The 1930s was a time for beautiful performances – in grand theatres, intimate studios, and, even better – for ballets set in everyday locations.
I can practically picture it – dancers in gorgeous, full-skirted tutus gracing a park with an open-air stage or swaying to the rhythm of the music in an old opera house. Such wonderful possibilities!
Just the other day, I visited London's Coliseum – the iconic grand old theatre that hosted everything from musicals to ballets – just for a sneak peek of that extraordinary era. Walking through its magnificent hallways, it’s almost as if I could feel the swirling skirts of a ballerina twirling down the stairs or hear the sweet, melodic music from a rehearsal.
That’s where I really discovered the magic of the era. Ballet, in the 1930s, was a captivating blend of tradition and innovation, artistry and glamour – the perfect blend, just like my favourite shade of pink, of course!
This isn’t just history, darling, it's a chance to find the inspiration that fuels the spirit of dance and to embrace the timeless beauty of ballet. So put on your most magnificent pink tutu, pop on a dash of rouge on your cheeks, and let's whirl into the twirling twenties!
Until next Tuesday, darling!
P.S. Did I tell you about my little discovery? I found the most adorable pink tulle ribbon, just begging to be woven into my new tutu! It has tiny sequins woven in – perfectly fitting for a little vintage touch! Oh, the things one finds when time travelling!
