Hello my dears! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tulle and twirling! Today's Tutu Tuesday journey whisks us back in time to 17th January 1939, and oh my, let me tell you, things were very different in the world of ballet then.
Firstly, imagine stepping off the train in New York City, the Big Apple, the bustling heart of the ballet world! As a true devotee of all things pretty and pink, I was absolutely in my element! While you lovely lot might be more accustomed to your high street chains, I had a blast at shops like Lord & Taylor and Macy’s. Everything just feels so… grand. Not that I would ever say that my trusty Primark isn’t a haven for fabulous fashion, but a visit to one of these opulent stores just really completes the time-traveling experience. 😉
Of course, we all know the story of the tutus. Our ballet royalty, the iconic tutus, have always been around… haven’t they? Well, hold onto your sequins, because back in 1939, that wasn't entirely true! We still hadn't quite reached the full-blown, big, poofy tutu glory that we see on stage today. The tutus in the 30s, darling, were quite a lot more restrained, even if still beautifully crafted. You know how much I love my dramatic, full-skirt tutu moments, and I wouldn’t swap it for the world, but seeing the delicate artistry of these early tutus was truly a treat. They were all about delicate details, beautifully crafted and flowing movements. Think of the lightness of the swan in Swan Lake – it’s almost a different type of magic.
Now, for a truly dazzling performance that night, I whisked myself off to the Metropolitan Opera House for a magical night of Coppélia – yes, that ballet is as old as time! Now, imagine this: my ticket for this enchanting spectacle cost a mere $2.25. In these days of exorbitant ticket prices, that would feel like a dream, wouldn’t it?
Seeing the elegance of the dancers, all their movement, those graceful poses - just everything about the show was magical! Oh, and you would not believe the intricate detail of the tutus. Each one seemed handcrafted, delicate, like it would flutter away on the wind. Think intricate layers of tulle and netting, more understated, perhaps, than our flamboyant, full-skirted counterparts. They’re a visual feast, a treat to the eye - perfect for highlighting the beauty and fluidity of every single movement. It was all a breath of fresh air - but that’s what makes traveling through time so incredible - seeing the evolution of our cherished, iconic, ever-changing tutus.
That evening, after indulging in a decadent after-show meal, I stumbled upon the newsstands overflowing with the latest editions of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Now, these magazines are not just about the fashion - oh no, they’re so much more than that. They are a window into the very fabric of society. Imagine what life was like, right here, right now, all captured in the glossy pages. For a ballet-loving fashionista like me, there's simply no better time travel souvenir. I have to tell you, dear readers, that while the glamorous life of ballet may not be as wildly exciting now, and all those years ago, a real dancer’s world would have involved long, intense training and a focus on their artistry. There’s real discipline, sacrifice, and love that goes into becoming a ballerina, a beauty that’s captured in every step, every graceful turn of a head, every sweep of the skirt, that’s a kind of magic that takes my breath away!
I hope you all enjoyed your glimpse into ballet’s fabulous past with me this Tutu Tuesday! Do drop by next week and I’ll be whisking us off to another breathtaking era - I promise you a whole host of historical insights into the evolution of our dearest tutus! Don’t forget to wear your prettiest pink tutu, darling. I'll see you all next Tuesday! 💖🩰
Emma x
