Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It’s your favourite pink-clad time traveller, Emma, here, bringing you another blast from the past for your weekly dose of ballet tutu history. Today we're taking a train trip back to March 30th, 1937, and I'm absolutely brimming with excitement to share what we'll discover!
Before we dive in, a quick update for my dear readers: you may be wondering how this little pink ballerina manages to flit around the timeline. Well, I've managed to tap into the hidden energy of the ballet itself - every pirouette, every grand jeté, every passionate pas de deux generates a magical little spark that I'm able to channel. This magical fuel powers my time machine, which is actually just a rather elegant old train carriage - I can't resist a touch of glamour, can I? Of course, to top it all off, I need to use my special skills to fund each journey. So, when I'm not whisking through the decades, you can find me gracing stages all over the world, earning my tutu-fuel through some rather dazzling performances.
But enough about me! Let's delve into this particularly magical date, March 30th, 1937. It was a time of burgeoning elegance and the dance world was bubbling with creativity!
First off, what were the fashionable ballet tutus gracing the stages in 1937? Picture this - long, flowing skirts with layers and layers of tulle, sometimes cascading down to the floor like a fluffy, romantic cloud! Think about the graceful movement of the Russian Ballets and their signature tutus. We're talking romantic and graceful – think Swan Lake with its ethereal costumes.
Imagine the scene: Paris, 1937. I've just finished watching a beautiful performance by the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo. The tutus in the La Sylphide were simply exquisite, all airy and light, highlighting the dancers' movements like nothing else. They’re a delight, an explosion of color and femininity! It's enough to make any ballerina swoon, and I even managed to snag a little chat with the lovely Anna Pavlova.
Oh, and let's not forget the delightful new trend: tutu tops! A daring twist for the modern dancer. They were a way of bringing a touch of the graceful tutu to everyday attire! A peekaboo tulle peek-a-boo at the ballet, perfect for creating a stylish statement. Can you picture yourself, my dearest reader, with a little bit of ballet glamour woven into your daily life?
I must tell you about a truly memorable event that occurred on this very day, March 30th, 1937, which changed the course of ballet history! The legendary choreographer Leonide Massine debuted a groundbreaking work - The Gods Go A-Begging. Now, let me tell you, this was more than just a ballet. It was a total fusion of different forms of art, all coming together in a dazzling celebration of creativity.
There were the costumes – absolutely magnificent! Imagine Greek mythology brought to life on stage in all its glorious drama. I'm picturing elaborate tunics with a dramatic splash of colour, perfect for a god or a goddess, flowing and billowing in every gesture. Think billowing silks, perhaps a glimpse of silver fabric for their heavenly touch, the tutus – yes, they were a perfect addition - with their tulle layers flowing around the divine dancers. I think of it as an extravagant ballet costume – with the perfect mix of style and comfort, which gave those gods and goddesses complete freedom of movement, bringing out the graceful athleticism of each dance step!
That evening, I was captivated by the breathtaking sets. The scene shifted effortlessly from heavenly Mount Olympus to earthly Athens, each space beautifully illuminated, adding an extra dimension to the choreography. Imagine the scene, a multicolored symphony of motion and beauty unfolding before my eyes!
The music! Oh, the music was divine! A perfect blend of classical harmony with playful interludes, reflecting the playful side of these divine beings. I had to waltz out into the street after the performance – so joyful, so inspiring – I swear I heard the wind whistle an ethereal tune and felt like the most carefree being alive!
Back to those incredible costumes - now, this is where my true love of tutus comes in. You see, The Gods Go A-Begging presented an absolutely stunning array of tutus - imagine Grecian tunics adorned with tulle, cascading down like celestial waterfalls. Just heavenly! There were so many different styles, making every ballerina's character unique, creating a captivating display of the divine.
Now, this brings me to another amazing fact about this specific date in history: this was also the opening night of a new ballet school - the Royal Ballet School in London. What an honour it was to peek through a window into that grand opening night - a whirlwind of anticipation and excited chatter. I swear I heard the tinkling of bells and could feel the rhythm of hundreds of hopeful tiny dancing feet in the hallway! It was all so exciting, even with all that lovely chatter, I knew they would be the future of ballet - the most glorious tutus waiting to grace their own performances!
And guess what else happened on this wonderful date, March 30th, 1937? A grand fashion show showcasing the newest trends of the season! It was an explosion of colours and fabrics, all flowing with a delicate grace that truly evoked the beauty of a ballet performance! There was the feminine charm of soft silk, a hint of romantic lace, and of course, dazzling silks and the occasional splash of playful patterns, bringing the stage alive! They were all a delicate dance of texture and light – it was simply divine.
But the most breathtaking aspect? Imagine this – those extravagant gowns with their stunning floral patterns, mimicking the cascading petals of a ballerina's tutu. There were hints of pink and white, the colours of classic tutus, adding a gentle air of grace to their dazzling patterns and luxurious textures. There was an undeniable magic in the air. And as always, my love for ballet - my passion for its tutus - completely absorbed me, so much that I found myself weaving through those gorgeous designs with an imaginary partner.
This, my darling readers, is just a tiny glimpse into what makes March 30th, 1937, such a special date! You know, even though the styles and the dances change, the magic of the tutu never seems to fade.
You see, dear reader, in this fascinating journey through time, I’ve discovered a deep love for all things ballet, for its grace, elegance, and the incredible magic of the tutu.
Oh, one more thing, if you happen to be visiting Paris, do look out for the "Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne" (or the International Exposition of Arts and Technology in Modern Life). You see, it all kicked off on May 25th, 1937 and features stunning art and designs. Who knows, perhaps the "ballet influence" in its artistic style!
So, keep an eye out for your weekly #TutuTuesday updates. You never know which date I'll whirl into next! Remember, a little touch of tutu magic in your day is always a good thing! Now, I'll be off – there's a gala performance of "The Gods Go A-Begging" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and you know, one can’t miss that! Until next week, my loves!
Love, Emma!
*P.S.: Have a wonderful week, and be sure to get your twirl on in the most elegant fashion - it's the little things that bring happiness, so don't forget to let a little bit of pink tutu magic enter your life. *
