Welcome back, darlings! It’s your favourite pink-clad tutu aficionado, Emma, and it’s #TutuTuesday time. This week, we’re whizzing back in time – all aboard the Tutu Express! – to March the 9th, 1937, for a little peek at the fabulousness of the ballet world, back when petticoats were still queen and everything was utterly charming. This is post number 5489 of my Ballet Tutu History blog for you at www.pink-tutu.com, if you want to go and take a browse through my archives – there’s some absolute gems.
Now, let’s jump in the time machine! (Mind your head on that chandelier, darling).
The year is 1937, and, goodness me, we're in for a treat! It’s a whirlwind of elegant performances, dazzling gowns, and, naturally, the most exquisite tutus! The world of ballet is flourishing, and you can feel the magic in the air, even before the curtain rises. Think the iconic, featherlight tulle designs by Mlle. Louise at the Paris Opera, so incredibly graceful and beautiful – these are truly works of art in their own right! It's such a beautiful combination of intricate, layered tulle, perfectly tailored to the form, all designed to allow the ballerina to literally float across the stage with the grace of a bird in flight. It's almost enough to make your heart skip a beat, it's so beautiful, really. I love the whole romanticism, the swirling, dreamy feel of the tulle, that billows so wonderfully in a performance, it's pure feminine magic! You have to experience it yourself, but, of course, you could never get enough of tutus, could you?
Now, let’s travel around the world for a bit - think Moscow, New York, Paris and London! Oh my! It’s all absolutely brimming with talent, all with their unique take on the art of ballet. I’m going to be honest with you all – my head is positively spinning! You would think, with all this choice, that the ballet scene would become a bit tired, but every time, there's another magnificent performance to amaze me, to fill me with absolute joy!
We must take a little peak at this beautiful city! Let’s take a journey to London. Imagine this: Covent Garden Theatre, buzzing with energy, filled with the elegant glitterati! You are walking into the theatre on a crisp London evening. A little cool for us pink tutu wearers but that's the charm of England! You get to look particularly ravishing wrapped up in a gorgeous, pink fox fur with a delicate tiara adorning your perfectly styled blonde hair! (Sorry, it is what I would do, it is the obvious choice really.)
Think exquisite tutus in the colours of the English rose, dancing, swirling, and flowing as a story unfolds with such grace! This is what really captures the English imagination!
So what about that amazing date, March the 9th? It’s absolutely choc-a-bloc with artistic treats to see! We have a delightful performance by The Royal Ballet, for instance! It’s all the rage - they’re doing this sensational interpretation of Swan Lake. Can you believe how popular it still is! A little theatrical classic – we should definitely add it to the Emma's Essential Tutus to Watch Before you Die list – just for the amazing choreography alone! I adore how these legendary tutus are crafted in every shade of white you can imagine - It is simply sublime - The Dying Swan, the grand entrance - every little detail is executed with perfect, balletic brilliance. It truly is something to marvel at. You don't even have to know much about ballet, really. I'm pretty certain anyone could appreciate this classic, I could go see this masterpiece forever! It is timeless beauty at it's most graceful.
Of course, it’s not all about London. Let’s pop back to our gorgeous Paris – I'm a bit of a Parisophile really – where it seems the ballet world simply refuses to stand still! I’m told there’s an exhibition at the Louvre – yes The Louvre - just for ballet design and, not to be outdone, The Opéra is giving an utterly chic showing of some incredible tutus, crafted with the greatest attention to detail - such bon ton – I can already hear the tutus whispering "Oh la la" as the curtains rise! There’s a truly magnificent display of intricate feather boas, a symphony of light, and dazzling details that are absolutely à la mode - not to be missed! (Note for my Tutu List!)
And speaking of fashion, Paris truly takes the biscuit! I have to tell you – there are such exquisite new dresses on the Parisian catwalk that have caught my eye. The colours are positively divine. It’s a kaleidoscope of emerald green and electric blue - perfect inspiration for some future tutu designs, you know? The silhouette, a perfectly sculpted demi-curve – my word, such elegant tailoring, simply darling! It’s so obvious, I should definitely start my own range, but what name? I've already got a few, all starting with E. Emma’s Embroidered Elegance, Emma's Edgy Enchantment – what do you think, darling? Or perhaps, simply, Emma’s Extraordinary Elegant… We’ve got all summer to brainstorm this!
Back in 1937 – and just because a girl loves fashion – this was an era of incredible glamour and grace. Women dressed to the nines. It's almost shocking how far we've come in such a short time – that era feels so close but feels like another world, don't you think? The ladies were a vision of perfectly shaped dresses, hats with sweeping feathers, a real explosion of colour, style, and creativity, just oozing femininity. The dresses, perfectly fitted waists and elegant skirts. Remember those famous hats, soignée (soignée, the french say – it means exquisitely dressed, it's really posh) – such a delight for any eyes! Oh how I miss that style! We all have to admit it – a bit of vintage charm is truly wonderful, wouldn't you say?
Well, I must say goodnight now – this time travelling is tiring! We’ll have to be back again next week for more Ballet Tutu History. Oh, darling, there’s so much to tell, and so many fascinating stories. Don’t forget, a little pink tulle always lifts your mood and always looks simply darling – try a new shade! And don’t forget – tutur self is the best self – keep twirling!
