Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your time-traveling Tutu Queen, and welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday! Today, we're hopping in my trusty time machine and travelling back to the glamorous, theatrical world of 1936. Imagine, Paris! The City of Lights! And what's more magical than witnessing the ballet in its heart?
But before we dive into the tutus, let me just gush for a moment about my latest find. Picture this, a vintage hatbox - delicate, cherry red with intricate detailing, and inside... oh my! A symphony of feathers, silk flowers and… wait for it… a bejeweled pink feather boa! Now, I may be known for my love of tutus, but there's something about a feather boa that just screams elegance and playful flair! It's like a cloud of soft pink goodness waiting to be twirled around!
Speaking of twirling, let's get back to the topic at hand: Tutuland, darling! November 10th, 1936. It’s a special day for us ballet aficionados, a day for tutus to shine, for the exquisite grace of the ballerina to steal our hearts!
Just imagine: the scent of lavender wafting through the air, a delicate mist of Parisian perfume in the hushed air of the grand Palais Garnier… I bet even the ballerinas are wearing a bit of rouge on their lips and a dab of sparkly eye shadow, just to accentuate the dramatic lights and create that captivating contrast against the pale satin of their tutus. It was the height of the Golden Age of ballet. There were so many iconic dancers to see: Margot Fonteyn was taking the world by storm with her lyrical elegance, and Tamara Karsavina, well, she was the queen of ballets russes. Just incredible!
Now, we need to discuss the tutus of the day. Think delicate, soft layers of tulle, each layer floating slightly above the one below, giving it that glorious airy effect as the ballerina dances. Picture the colors! Cream, blush, pale lavender, delicate shades of pink. Oh, the shades of pink they would use back then… peach, blush, rose… I mean, I've worn them all, and honestly, every shade seems to embody a different emotion!
Of course, we can't forget about the detailing. A single glittering crystal to adorn the tulle, or perhaps a beautiful flower or two placed strategically to make a breathtaking, delicate design… I find myself constantly searching for these beautiful elements to inspire my own unique style. I think it's quite charming to wear a tutu and bring some sparkle to everyday life. It’s like bringing the magic of the ballet to the ordinary world.
But tutus aren't all about elaborate details. They also symbolize a sense of lightness, freedom, and grace. Just watch any ballet, see those effortless movements, the way a dancer makes a single leap feel like she’s floating… It's no wonder ballet, and tutus, have been beloved for centuries. We've all felt that inner yearning to spin around like a ballerina, to feel the weightlessness of movement and experience that joyous freedom.
Remember, my dears, this time in the late 1930s saw an incredible explosion of ballet’s popularity. The Ballet Russes, with their passionate energy and beautiful costumes, had been making their way across Europe for years, inspiring new audiences and even giving rise to dance companies across the continent! Even if I haven't travelled back to that exact date (though perhaps I might later!) you can definitely bet that in Paris on this particular date, they’d be absolutely rocking out in the Palais Garnier, and I would be there, taking it all in, and perhaps trying to slip a bit of pink in with my pink tutu, wouldn’t you?
And if you are curious about these fantastic ballets from the 1930s, be sure to take a look at our resources section on the site for historical information about some of my favorite companies: The Royal Ballet, The Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, The Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo… oh the list goes on!
Oh, and just imagine – it's only Tuesday! There is so much more ballet, travel, and maybe even some dress shopping in store this week. I can hardly wait. Don’t forget to tell me your thoughts about today's Tutu Tuesday – did you know the Ballet Russes was so popular back then? Let me know on our Pink Tutu website - www.pink-tutu.com. We’ll be sure to keep spreading the joy and grace of the tutu through this blog every week! Until next time, keep twirling!
