Hello my darling dancers! It’s Emma here, your Tutu-loving time travelling ballerina, back with another blast from the past. This Tuesday, I’m shimmying my way back to 1937, the golden age of ballet! Think billowing gowns, lavish productions, and oh, the tutus… just pure enchantment.
Before I get all misty-eyed over the era’s sheer romanticism, let’s take a step back in time, shall we? Imagine the year is 1937 and the smell of freshly-baked pastries wafts through the air. You’re stepping out in a perfectly tailored tweed dress and jaunty hat, clutching a little clutch bag. (Don't worry, the clutch bag has space for your pink tutu, because you’re a stylish lady, you are!)
We're off to see a ballet! And guess what? Today, 20th July, is a big one. The world's most famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, will be performing for a packed-out audience at London's Royal Opera House. This, my dear friends, is where the real magic happens.
The audience is buzzing, whispers filling the air as anticipation builds. Anna’s exquisite movements on the stage take everyone’s breath away, the beautiful costumes (and yes, the tutus) drawing every eye! This is the time of ballerinas with incredible technique and boundless energy. Each step is poetry in motion, each leap, a flight of pure artistry.
The tutus themselves were exquisite! We’re talking about multi-layered tulle, cascading in waves like a dream. Think flowing lengths of ethereal silk, intricately decorated with delicate beading and sequins that shimmer like the stars themselves. They were grand, majestic, a symphony of sheer beauty on a slender, athletic form.
Oh, the stories these tutus could tell! The whisper of history hangs in the air around them. Imagine the ballerina swirling and leaping, the tutus expanding and contracting, telling tales of passion, love, and of course, the unbridled joy of dance.
But it’s not all about grandeur and lavishness. Let’s not forget the practical aspect of tutus back then. Imagine, a dancer working hard for hours, leaping and twirling, needing a costume that was lightweight, yet still graceful and beautiful. The tutus from this time had to be the perfect marriage of artistry and practicality.
And just look at how the colours have changed over time. 1937 was about the soft pastels. Creamy whites, blush pink, delicate baby blues – all hues to accentuate the elegance and finesse of ballet movements.
Now, let's not forget, we are in the heart of the art deco period! That bold and geometric look found its way onto ballet costumes, too. Think dramatic patterns, bold silhouettes, and perhaps even the glimmer of gold and silver thread – very glam!
And wouldn’t you just know it, my darling pink tutu and I are heading to the Royal Opera House this very week! Can’t you just see us, standing proudly in the lobby? I might even spot a similar pink-tinted tulle just like mine, oh how the fashion comes around. And don’t even get me started on the beautiful accessories of the era: pearl necklaces, diamond earrings, feather boas – so stylish, so chic!
To sum it up, the 1930s were a fabulous time to be a ballerina! It was the era where artistry truly took centre stage and where the tutu was, well, just about the most wonderful piece of clothing a woman could wear! And the stories from this time? Simply a must-read for every dancer, a time to learn, to marvel and to get inspired!
Oh, my dears, how I love to journey back to these glorious times! I can't wait to bring you more tutu adventures. Until then, keep twirling!
Remember to come visit my website www.pink-tutu.com, where I'll be sharing my fashion tips, my latest finds, and of course, a whole load of ballet fun. Let's all get back to that magic of the ballet world, one tutu at a time!
