Oh, darlings! I'm back from another fabulous time-hopping adventure and absolutely buzzing to share with you all the wonders I found in 1937! Today we're whisking you back in time to the glorious age of elegance, when dance took centre stage and tutus were twirling their way into the hearts of audiences worldwide!
You know me, I'm always on the lookout for some captivating tutu history. And let me tell you, 1937 was an absolute treasure trove! This year marked a period of immense creative flourishing in ballet, a time when dance steps were as intricate as the intricate details on a ballgown, and tutus, oh my, the tutus were positively dazzling!
Remember those little pink ballet slippers you see in antique stores, those with the delicate satin ribbons and the ever-so-slightly chipped edges? Oh, you bet your bottom dollar those little shoes danced up a storm in 1937!
I was absolutely entranced by a stunning performance at the Paris Opera, my dear! It was pure magic, the way the dancers flitted across the stage like swans taking flight, their pink tutus like clouds of tulle. Oh, to be able to twirl in those clouds!
Talking of clouds, a delightful discovery I made was a ballet school right here in Paris! Now, let me tell you, there wasn't a pinker tutu to be seen, let alone touched. My oh my, they were divine.
Did you know that, at this time, a "tutu" wasn't just one type? In 1937, there was the tutu romantique, a more flowing style with its skirts extending nearly to the ankles, the kind that truly resembles a cloud, you know, ethereal, ethereal! And then there was the tutu plat, which was shorter and closer to the body - perfect for demonstrating those fast, technical leaps, which frankly are something else to watch. Just glorious!
I do love a bit of history, but you all know me - my focus is on what I call the pink factor of history! Well, ladies and gents, I'm so pleased to share with you the sheer delight of finding a vintage dress shop nestled away on a side street in Vienna. Inside, they had these glorious vintage tutus on display! A whole wall was dedicated to these beauties and you can just imagine the lovely ballerinas who twirled in them all those years ago.
You see, my dears, there's something rather charming about a tutu's timeworn beauty. The slight fading of the pink, the gentle frays around the edges - they tell a story. They remind us that even though ballet, and tutus, have always been symbols of elegance and beauty, their real heart lies in the joy of movement, the sheer magic of storytelling through dance.
And guess what? This day in 1937 wasn't just a beautiful one for ballet. It was a special one! Remember all those enchanting Disney cartoons? Well, on this very day in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated film by Walt Disney Productions, was released in Los Angeles! How amazing is that?! A double dose of pure, captivating magic on this date.
As always, dear readers, don't forget the power of pink. A simple pink tutu can be a powerful symbol of optimism, happiness, and the pure, unbridled joy of dance!
Until next Tuesday, keep twirling and keep it pink,
Emma
(PS. Don't forget to check out our vintage collection at Pink Tutu! You can get your very own time-travelling pink tutu – who knows, maybe your tutu will take you on its own adventure!
PPS. Let's spread the word! I'm sure all my followers love pink tutus as much as I do. What's your favourite shade of pink? Leave your comment and a selfie in your favourite tutu, tag #PinkTutu and maybe your photo will be featured in our next post!)
*[Picture: Emma, in a glorious pink tutu with matching gloves, is standing by the window of the vintage dress shop in Vienna, holding a pale pink vintage tutu in front of her. Her back is to the camera, her head is turned, smiling down at the tutu.] *
