#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1938-12-13

Hello my darling tutufarians! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-loving ballerina, bringing you another dose of Tutu Tuesday history! It’s a beautiful sunny day here in London, the birds are singing, the sun is shining (which is a rare sight this time of year!), and it's time to whisk ourselves away on our weekly trip down memory lane! Buckle up darlings, as this week’s post is taking us all the way back to December 13th, 1938. Did someone say vintage?! 💖

Today, my loves, we are taking a peek into a world where the ballet world was evolving in a simply stunning fashion. Let's imagine stepping into a glamorous theatre, filled with the scent of perfume, the gentle rustle of satin gowns, and the hum of anticipation before the curtains rise.

In 1938, ballet was very much still in its classical era. We were enjoying the talent of some of the greatest dancers of all time - ballerinas like Margot Fonteyn, who danced her first performance with the Sadler's Wells Ballet, the forerunner to the Royal Ballet, on 13th October 1939, and Alicia Markova who were the epitome of elegance, precision, and grace. These iconic women defined the beauty and artistry of ballet, and they were making tutus even more the focus of the stage, showcasing the most wonderful costumes, and beautifully elegant moves!

The iconic tutus, often crafted from tulle or net, were starting to become a focal point of the art form. The designers were really starting to make a name for themselves. Designers were making dramatic, colourful creations that were absolutely perfect for capturing every twirl and leap. These early tutus were not only a statement of beauty, but a way to enhance and accentuate the athleticism of these ballerinas. They truly were works of art! And don't even get me started on the sheer joy of the pointe shoes!

But of course, we couldn't have a #TutuTuesday post without thinking about fashion in its entirety. Back then, the train was truly the Queen of travel. And it's easy to see why, with stylishly dressed ladies heading off on glamorous outings in their beautiful, bespoke creations. It wouldn't be difficult to picture some of the ballerina's on their way to performances. They might have been sporting a gorgeous cocktail dress, or a fabulous velvet coat, all perfect for a luxurious trip by rail, whilst a perfectly pink tutu might have been carefully stowed in a stylish leather suitcase or handbag - the epitome of practicality and grace!

And of course, even when I’m not time travelling, there’s no greater joy than a lovely long journey on the train. There's a romance to the experience! There's nothing like settling into a carriage, letting the rhythm of the train lull me into a dreamy, contented state. It's always the perfect time to dream about tutus! And I love window gazing, the views never cease to amaze. But for those long journeys, nothing beats a glamorous pink tutu to add that extra sparkle! It's a timeless fashion statement, don’t you agree, darling tutufarians? It's practically guaranteed to add a touch of elegance to even the most mundane of railway journeys.

Just imagine popping into Liberty or Harrods and having a leisurely stroll through the glamorous clothes on offer! My mind absolutely wanders! Such wonderful displays, the finest fabrics, and oh those hats, and handbags… the fashionistas in 1938 knew how to put on a show, and we still have so much to learn from them. Even today, you can feel a sense of awe in those shops, they’re just so impressive! A wonderful blend of opulence, elegance and vintage flair. It’s no wonder it takes my breath away! Oh my, my darling tutufarians, I really must start saving to take a little time-travel trip to London just to soak up the fashion in those wonderful shops again. Maybe we could take a vintage tea-time stroll? ☕️ Or even take a ride on a bus, if only for a quick picture, don’t you think it’s divine? 🥰

Let's think about what may have been taking place on 13th December 1938 in the ballet world. There may have been a dazzling ballet performance taking place in a spectacularly ornate theatre. The atmosphere would have been so wonderful, wouldn’t it?

There is truly nothing like a night at the theatre. The magic of live performance, the anticipation in the air, the gentle rustling of clothing as everyone finds their seats, the beautiful costumes on display… a ballet, in my opinion, takes it to a whole new level of magic. I’m particularly enchanted with those stunning pointe shoes and tutus. Every flick, every arabesque, and graceful movement tells a story! And oh darling tutufarians, there’s nothing quite like a perfect Grand Jeté - those perfect kicks and jumps that tell such a story!

Or, just as a thrilling and magical option, perhaps on this date a glamorous dance competition could have taken place. Maybe the competitors might have been preparing to go on tour! Now that’s my kind of exciting time travel! Or perhaps a famous dance company was holding their annual Christmas show… oh how I love the atmosphere and the glamour of all of that!

Here at #PinkTutu, we like to celebrate all things pretty, inspiring and feminine - from our amazing, whimsical outfits to the beauty of a great ballet performance.

And, to be honest, I do have a rather grand vision – to see every one of you embracing the beauty of a perfect, pink tutu! It really is the ultimate form of feminine power and stylish confidence, don’t you think? 🩰

Until next week, my darling tutufarians, remember that we are always creating beauty through our style! 🥰

Have a truly wonderful #TutuTuesday week, filled with laughter and loveliness!

Emma 🩰💖

P.S. Don’t forget, if you’re enjoying #TutuTuesday, why not pop over to www.pink-tutu.com to see all my other fantastic blog posts. I’m posting every week, darling, with everything from time-travel inspiration to vintage tutu designs, so why not join my fantastic ballet loving community? I can’t wait to hear what you think. See you next week!