Hiya darlings! Emma here, your Pink Tutu-clad time-travelling fashionista! It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for a little #TutuTuesday history, and we're taking a trip to April 11th, 1939! Can you believe it's been almost 85 years? Imagine if you had been around then. But never mind what might have been, let's dive in and see what exciting ballet history was happening back then.
Now, I have to tell you, 1939 was a pretty exciting time for the world of ballet. You had stars like Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin dazzling everyone, while Margot Fonteyn was just starting out. It was such a creative and thrilling time in ballet, a true golden age for the dance! And just think, while we were rocking bright colours and luxurious materials, they were in the midst of a rather tough war time period, but still embracing the beauty and passion of ballet.
Before I delve into the 1930s, I just want to tell you, Paris is definitely the place to be! Parisian ballet companies were setting the standard for innovation and grace. They were bringing so much newness to the stage with theatrical and avant-garde ideas, really changing the way we viewed ballet. Can you imagine, ballets were being set in factory spaces, modern, avant-garde settings. It wasn't just about classical dance anymore, it was about a fusion of art and movement. It was bold, brave, and absolutely fascinating to watch! It was revolutionizing what people expected from the ballet world.
I imagine everyone wearing their most beautiful gowns and attire. Parisian fashion was simply heavenly, full of beautiful, feminine lines and flowing fabrics. Just picture it, a ballet enthusiast like me, sipping champagne in a beautifully adorned theatre, the stage lights blazing. It would have been an evening of magic! I think, at this time, tutus were definitely becoming more of an established part of the stage and weren't quite as short and simple as we see them nowadays. The longer, tiered tutus that created an ethereal look were still reigning supreme! They were simply divine. You'd be sure to find these beautiful romantic creations swishing across the stage as ballerinas effortlessly danced.
Now, I don’t want to spend this entire blog post just chatting about Parisian elegance! Let's journey a little further, because remember, ballet wasn’t just a European spectacle, even in 1939! In New York, the School of American Ballet was gaining popularity , pushing boundaries in its own way and attracting budding dancers to its classes. The Ballets Russes were on their international tour, too, captivating the audiences with their spectacular costumes and theatrical storytelling. They had such a grand flair to their performances! Imagine lush, colourful costumes, swirling on stage - it must have been a visual feast. You know, all these companies were contributing so much to a very exciting chapter in ballet history, with innovations, techniques and performances spreading and evolving worldwide. Just wonderful!
But before we part ways today, let’s mention a fun little detail. It’s April 11th 1939 - a Tuesday just like this one - and it is the anniversary of the very first day “Gone with the Wind”, a beloved classic film starring the incredibly talented Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. Imagine seeing the dazzling outfits, from simple dresses to magnificent ball gowns, it’s pure glamour. It just reinforces that we've always loved dresses and dance and film! They've always been a fantastic combination that captures imaginations and leaves us dreaming! You might want to take this date to rewatch it, the amazing scenery and choreography in the dancing scene is simply magical and makes you wish you were waltzing in the ball gown!
Well, that’s it for today! Hope you’ve enjoyed my little trip into Tutu Tuesday history. Remember to keep it pink, keep it sparkly, and let's keep dancing our way through time! And be sure to visit me again next week for another fabulous foray into the wonderful world of tutus! See you then!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to share your ballet-inspired looks and memories on our socials using #TutuTuesday! We love to see your pictures. I am simply dying to see all the lovely photos of everyone in pink! 💖 I think the world needs to embrace the beauty of tutus - so much so, that everyone in every country in the world should have a pink tutu waiting in their wardrobe!
P.P.S. Just a tiny reminder to all the time travellers out there, remember to travel responsibly, embrace all that history has to offer and keep those time-travel journeys safe and magical!
And above all, please do **be kind to your fellow time travellers! (We'll always help you when you need it too, I'm such a helpful fairy godmother!)
