Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com and another fabulous #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History adventure!
I'm your trusty time-traveling tutu aficionado, Emma, back from a whirlwind trip to 1936 - just in time for today's blog, of course! Now, settle in, darling, and grab a cuppa because today's topic is about to whisk you away to a glorious era of ballerinas and bouffant hair!
Imagine: cobblestone streets lined with bustling Parisian shops, the aroma of fresh croissants, and the rhythmic beat of dancing feet in the theatre. Ah, how I love travelling back in time and getting to experience these vibrant, glittering moments!
It's been an exhilarating journey for me. I’ve hopped back in time to June 16th 1936, to take you, dear readers, on a tour through a time where fashion was bold, and tutus were, dare I say, practically revolutionary!
The Ballerina as a Fashion Icon!
The tutu is really beginning to come into its own this decade. Gone are the days of the voluminous and almost 'skirted' versions that ballerinas used to wear, the 1930s saw a glorious shift towards the romantic, the flowing, and the incredibly flattering – the silhouette that we all know and love.
This year marks the triumphant return of the tutu. Gone is the era of heavier layers and heavier skirts. Imagine these beautiful, diaphanous creations, barely there in some styles, with flowing layers so soft and fine that they really accentuate the dancer's incredible form!
Let's dive deeper, shall we?
The Ballerina as a Fashion Icon!
Imagine an elegant ballet company at the peak of its glamour - and not just onstage, these women, our ballet stars, are becoming true fashion icons in their own right!
You know me and my shopping habits - it's an integral part of any good time-travelling trip! In the 1930s, the streets were abuzz with style. A stroll down the Rue de la Paix in Paris would have had you stopping in your tracks, because oh my! Those dresses were simply breathtaking! Imagine sleek lines, soft, pastel fabrics that are just whispering with feminine charm, and those stunning, hats... a delicate, carefully chosen feather... maybe a jaunty ribbon...
*The World on the Big Screen: *
If you were a real ballet fan like me in 1936, you would be eagerly awaiting a cinematic experience that was about to break boundaries! I mean, who doesn't love a good ballet on the big screen, am I right?!
A Ballet Classic!
This week's ballet highlight in the spotlight is, oh my goodness, The Sleeping Beauty, an absolute ballet classic and a triumph in both costumes and dancing! This magical, fairy tale story set to Tchaikovsky's timeless, heart-stopping music, is an absolute feast for the eyes.
The Sleeping Beauty was making its mark, first being performed in London in 1935 with some of the finest dancers in the world and some exquisite designs. You can be sure that this, in 1936, was creating quite the buzz in the theatre scene!
Imagine yourself swept up in that grand performance at London's Sadler's Wells. Oh, what a day that would have been, experiencing such magnificence!
Now, I know we have fashion and history to cover, but there's nothing like some beautiful ballet to set the scene, right?! Imagine yourself with your elegant companions and, after enjoying this performance, making your way to the charming shops of London for some serious retail therapy!
Pink Tutus and Pretty Pieces
Did you know? This era, in my eyes, was a tutu triumph. You'd think there would be an array of vibrant colours on the stage, wouldn't you? But actually, the gentle and graceful tutu colours that became so popular throughout this period were subtle: light pinks, soft ivory, and the stunning blues of the sky - the designers really captured a beautiful and soft aesthetic in the choreography. You'd see tutut's in beautiful shades of 'pink lemonade,' and that delicate cream like ivory - so lovely, wouldn't you say?
Parisian Charm and the Spirit of Romance
Speaking of romance! Can we talk about the dresses? Oh, the tutut style dresses - I am truly swooning. These exquisite garments reflecting the beautiful, fluid styles of the dancing itself. Just imagine, light and flowing layers of tulle, like dreamy swirls. Oh my! They create this incredible sense of lightness and romantic grace - truly stunning. The ballerinas of the 1930s and early 1940s weren't just dancing on the stage, they were inspiring entire wardrobes and making a serious fashion statement!
And the hairstyles - can we talk about the hairstyles? So elegant! Imagine those perfectly-styled curls, maybe adorned with some gorgeous flowers or even feathers. A sophisticated style that captures the allure and glamour of the 1930s, don't you agree?
You see? The 1930s was the age of glamour. It wasn't just on the stage it was also on the street. Women were taking back their femininity and dressing for the pleasure of it! Think beautiful satin, silky fabrics and light and lovely tulle.
A Word on Tutu Construction
A fascinating detail about tututs of this era: they weren't all about stiff, formal layering. The designers, the dancers themselves, even some theatre directors wanted movement! Think of the choreography - those iconic ballet leaps, the grand jetés, the beautiful 'piqué' and of course, those breathtaking, twirling turns! They all come into their own because of the flexibility of the tutut's of this period! They wanted to see every ripple of fabric, every graceful line. That's why the lighter styles of the 1930s were so groundbreaking, and you would see dancers using their tutut to accentuate, literally create visual and storytelling elements within their choreography. And can we give the fabric manufacturers of the era a round of applause?! The lightweight fabrics in tutut construction brought all the 'soft' aspects of these stories into sharp relief, didn't they?!
And how fabulous are the dresses outside of the ballet stage?! Imagine flowing gowns for a glittering event - maybe even some elegant 'flapper' style for a night on the town? This era, dear Tutu Tribe, was truly the beginning of how our iconic style evolved!
Time Travel Tip: 1930s Fashion - What to Wear
You can wear a beautiful, soft pink dress and don't forget a statement hat! Imagine a soft and delicate flower tucked into the fabric of your dress. So pretty, wouldn't you say?! Think flowy sleeves and some beautiful jewellery and those beautiful feminine 'pin-curl' waves in your hair. It is about creating a feminine silhouette that is graceful and understated. A little elegance goes a long way and a hint of a 1930s pink is going to turn heads everywhere! That is the true magic of fashion, isn't it?! Bringing the styles of the past to life!
It's the Fashion Darling, It's the Dance!
Well, I think we've covered a great deal today about the glorious history of tututs and the fantastically fashionable 1930s!
It has been so much fun time-traveling back to this dazzling decade and sharing it with you all! Just remember: Fashion and dance - oh so inspiring! Let's keep spreading the Tutu love. Make sure to post your own photos with the hashtag #TutuTuesday - let's turn every day into a #TutuTuesday!
Until next Tuesday,
Emma x
* www.pink-tutu.com*
P.S. Keep your eyes peeled for some more special updates here on the website throughout the week! Just in time for #WeekendGlam
(Please remember this is a fictional story! No time travel exists - I just like tutus and dressing up! Please also bear in mind I'm trying to make the character feel like a person. I hope I'm following your brief! I do think there's potential to create something that sounds 'authentic'.)
