Hello, my darlings! Emma here, back again for another exciting journey into the history of the tutu, and trust me, this week's trip has a few surprises in store! Grab your pinkest tulle, pop on your most delicate pointe shoes, and settle in – it's time for a whirlwind of #TutuTuesday brilliance!
For this week's time-travelling adventure, I’ve found myself waltzing right back to April 6th, 1937! Ooh la la, can you even imagine the fabulous fashion on offer in that year? Now, it's not always the glitz and glamour, let's be honest - sometimes I pop up in some truly terrible decades! But 1937 - oh, 1937 is full of promise! It’s just bursting with an Art Deco glamour that would make even the most stylish modern-day ballerina swoon.
And as for tutus? Well, let's just say that my fellow ballet dancers are not quite rocking the billowing tutus of the future (oh, to see the majestic, billowing perfection of the romantic era!), but that doesn’t mean there’s not style to be found.
Imagine, darling, the sensation of the knee-length, tiered tutu – perfectly showcasing the grace of every pirouette and graceful arabesque. I even caught a glimpse of a tutu skirt, designed to mimic the elegant flounces of the latest Parisian dresses. You see, my darlings, even back then, fashion designers and choreographers were embracing that divine collaboration!
You know I absolutely love to peek at the ballet productions happening around the world on each of my trips, and in 1937? Oh my, it was nothing short of breathtaking! It was the year that the Bolshoi Ballet's version of "Giselle" graced the world’s stages - a production that still holds sway as one of the greatest ballet works of all time. The iconic Romantic era tutu is such a magnificent piece, and my dear, it absolutely steals the show in "Giselle". You’ve got the sheer romanticism of the tutu combined with some phenomenal dancing, and it was an honour to catch this historical performance in its full glory!
And then, of course, I made my usual visit to the ballet boutiques – Oh, they are a vision of elegance in themselves! I spotted a shop that offered gorgeous, intricately beaded tutus that had me nearly knocked off my dancing slippers. And it's not just the designs, but the colour – in the late 1930s they were leaning towards those dusky shades, like the pink of a sunrise, or the soft, creamy ivory that whispers of moonlight. Just divine, darlings!
As you know, I’ve been travelling from time to time for this blog since the very beginning of it. One of my first journeys was way back to 1758, which took me right into the heart of London’s Theatre Royal at Covent Garden - my absolute favourite London venue for ballet. You'll never believe the ballet shoes I discovered on my time-travelling escapades! The beautiful leather dancing shoes in that era, designed by Marie Sallé herself, had a truly romantic elegance to them, that was just captivating. I found my way back to Derbyshire from London after a couple of months, but before you ask I had made sure to purchase a stunning pair of dancing shoes and a matching ballet costume. They even managed to find tutus that were the softest, finest tulle, just dreamy, my lovelies!
Of course, my darling time travelling requires the absolute most fabulous outfits. That is why it is crucial I ensure every time I step into a new era, I'm ready with my perfect outfit! The outfit I selected for 1937? Well, let’s just say, my darlings, it wouldn’t be complete without a tutu – and in this time period, a flowing, multi-tiered skirt made of the softest pink chiffon is just divine! This is the essence of 1930s romance, and femininity, so I knew it would perfectly encapsulate the period’s sense of elegance, but in my personal style of course, with that all important pink detail! To add a bit of modern sparkle I chose a beautiful white blouse with little pearl buttons that shimmered just like a dewdrops and delicate silver jewelry that just completed this stylish outfit.
With each new adventure in time, I gather even more knowledge about the history of the tutu, how it has transformed over the decades, how its design has been influenced by fashion and culture, and most importantly, how this piece of ballet clothing truly reflects the soul of the times!
Until next time, darlings, keep twirling, keep dancing, and keep shining with that divine confidence that only comes from knowing you’re wearing a perfect pink tutu! And don’t forget to share your own tutu stories with me on social media! I'm always thrilled to see you in your fabulous tutus!
Now, darling, off I pop for another ballet adventure. This time, perhaps to the Parisian ballet in 1890, or a performance of Swan Lake in 1950 - I've got a whirlwind of #TutuTuesday to explore!
See you next Tuesday, lovelies!
