#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1936-12-01

Hello my darling dears! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back for another whirlwind journey through the wonderful world of ballet!

Today's date? A rather grand one indeed! We're back in time to the 1st December, 1936, and just picture this – London is bustling with the thrill of the Christmas season, and at the heart of it all is a fabulous ballet performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Fancy a peek behind the velvet curtain? Of course, darling, come along!

As you know, my tutu-tastic heart skips a beat when it comes to fashion. In 1936, the ladies were positively swooning over Art Deco fashion. It was a gloriously glamorous era of sleek lines, geometric shapes, and opulent fabrics. Picture a dress with a nipped-in waist, a flowing skirt, and a touch of sparkly beading. Absolutely delightful!

Now, imagine me – my hair beautifully styled in a chic chignon, a touch of ruby red lipstick, a beautiful Art Deco gown (of course with a touch of pink), and oh, darling, my very own pink tutu! I’m certain I'd have blended right in with the crowd, especially after the show!

But what exactly was gracing the Covent Garden stage on this fine December day, you ask? Well, hold on tight because the Royal Ballet was performing Giselle, a true classic of the ballet world! This beautifully tragic love story, set in the romantic period of the 19th century, is always a guaranteed tearjerker. Imagine – ethereal ballerinas fluttering across the stage, exquisite costumes, and breathtaking choreography. This is what dreams are made of!

I do love a good tragedy though, don't you? There's something so intensely satisfying about a powerful performance that stirs our emotions and leaves us with a sense of wonder and appreciation. But then, of course, I wouldn’t want to leave you without a sprinkle of pure, unadulterated ballet fun! The Royal Opera House itself, with its glorious architecture and historic aura, would have added an extra touch of magic to the evening. Just picturing the buzz in the air, the excitement of the audience, the whispers of anticipation as the lights dim…ah, a true ballet dream!

But of course, my dear readers, the true joy of the time is found in the ballet tutus themselves. The designs for the ballerinas in Giselle would have been beautifully crafted, embodying the graceful and elegant nature of the story. Perhaps we even see the iconic Romantic style tutus with their airy, fluttering frills, or a dash of intricate detailing from the later designs, featuring intricate lace or tulle with exquisite embroidery. They would have looked stunning!

Speaking of stunning, have you ever been to Covent Garden? Oh darling, it is such a charming, vibrant part of London! Filled with a tapestry of history and artistic wonder, this theatre was an essential stop on any ballerina’s pilgrimage – well, apart from the Paris Opera, of course, but let's save that story for another time!

Imagine it! Cobblestone streets, charming cafés, bustling markets, and just a hop, skip, and a jump away, you have the grand Royal Opera House. It's enough to inspire even the most jaded ballerina. It’s simply tutu-fic!

Now, don’t you dare tell me you haven't gone shopping today. Remember, it's all about embracing the vintage glamour of the 1930s in my opinion, darling! You wouldn't want to miss out on all the fabulously fun fashion of the time. After all, there's always a dash of Art Deco style that can sneak its way into any outfit, don’t you think? Just add a little shimmer, some playful geometry, and you’re ready to turn heads wherever you go.

So, darling, don’t be shy. Embrace your inner 1930s ballerina – just a little pink tutu, a dash of glitter, and a whole lot of twirling, and you'll be ready to take on the world! Don't forget, you can always hop on the time-travelling train with me on Tuesdays. We can explore history and fashion, one tutu-tastic adventure at a time.

Until next Tuesday, my dearest friends! Keep dancing! 💕

P.S. Want to be my tutu-wearing friend? Don’t forget to share this blog on your social media! Remember to share your fabulous #TutuTuesday looks with me on the pink-tutu.com website, or send me an email, so we can have a proper fashion chat.