Hello lovelies, and welcome back to another dazzling #TutuTuesday! Your girl Emma's back from a sparkling adventure through time, this time landing in the heart of 1939! It's all very "Gone With The Wind", but trust me, there was nothing dramatic about my arrival (well, except for the fact that I got all the luggage wrong and ended up with a vintage wardrobe trunk instead of a carry-on. Luckily, I managed to get a great new vintage gown out of it!), so relax, put your feet up and grab a glass of something fizzy - it's story time!
First things first: how did I end up here? Well, you know how much I adore all things historical, especially anything to do with the fascinating evolution of the tutu! And honestly, this year, 1939, was a huge turning point. Think about it: WWII was on the horizon, the fashion world was changing, and…well, let's just say, ballet was about to have a makeover.
To paint the scene, we’re smack dab in the middle of the Golden Age of Ballet. The Royal Opera House in London (my favourite, darling! So grand!), and New York's Metropolitan Opera House were already flourishing, showcasing stunning performances every night, and Paris? Paris, my darlings, was in the heart of the ballet revolution! This is the age of the "Classical" tutu we know and love – full, fluffy, romantic, and perfectly sculpted around the dancer's form. Think Degas! It's all about a swirl of ethereal beauty, flowing with the movement of the dance. Oh, to see ballerinas gliding across the stage, each step a whisper of dreams in a beautiful tulle dream.
Now, back to the trunk. Imagine my excitement when I discovered a genuine 1939 tutu, a masterpiece of netting, silk, and a whole lot of exquisite craftsmanship. I literally fainted when I pulled it out - it was a vintage beauty! Thankfully, there were still plenty of gorgeous old vintage ballet shows and even vintage shopping I could find to fund my travel this trip! Of course, I was very carefully tucked away and watched ballet from a discreet corner to blend in so I didn't shock any Parisians. But, don't worry, I slipped in a quick fashion swap after a show so I was out with my latest ballet inspiration in no time. I was dressed in an outfit to rival a Dior masterpiece. All it takes is the perfect shade of pink and an eye for a great silhouette - don't worry - I found one!
You see, this was a time of revolution! Gone were the days of super-heavy, multiple layered tutus that weighed dancers down. This era was about lighter, more fluid movement and, yes, my dears, the rise of newness, the invention of the "Roman-style" tutu.
Imagine a classic ballerina skirt, but lighter than a feather! Think less layering, less bulk, and more graceful fluidity. It's this romantic, breezy style that really redefined the way we see dancers perform today, it allowed more expressiveness, a smoother, faster style of dance with a touch of whimsy and magic. I think I must get me one to wear for next Tuesday’s blog! I love a little whimsy!
I can practically feel the delicate bounce and elegance in every movement when I see one. If you ever get the chance, find a ballet show and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Every flick of a leg, every graceful extension, the whole experience will have you feeling like you’re watching the dance itself float! I felt the need to buy more vintage fashion so that I could blend in but even wearing a glamorous 1930s vintage ensemble and an outfit with an absolutely gorgeous 1930s silk hat - I felt utterly mesmerized watching that first show in Paris! Just wow, darling!
But, hold on! The magic doesn’t stop there! While the focus on the "Roman-style" tutu is HUGE, remember - there were other styles making waves, too! Remember that "The Ballet Russes" company, all those iconic Russian dancers, were still having a major influence on the whole stage and costumes, you see. I mean, Diaghilev himself, he was all about making costumes a central part of the performance!
Take a look at his ballerinas. There’s the ballerina tutus designed to complement, reflect, and highlight the storyline, from those delicate wisps of fabric to the bold designs with bright colours like magenta, fuchsia, deep red, and, of course, my favourite: pink! So yes, 1939 saw an exciting mix of tutus – flowing elegance for classical pieces, sparkling statement designs to make those narrative pieces POP - and honestly? It made ballet all the more mesmerizing.
Speaking of sparkly statement pieces… I’ll have you know, 1939 had a whole lot of glitz! Just try to imagine – beautiful beads, stunning sequins, lavish fabrics - it’s basically my dream world, darling! Just try to imagine the scene… imagine me standing amidst the buzz of Paris, a glittering array of jewels, feathers and elaborate fabric at every stall!
Fashion, dearie! 1939 is the time when Coco Chanel changed the way the whole world sees and wears fashion, creating designs for ballet. You wouldn’t be caught dead in a full-on 1939 look (even if those Dior ensembles are incredibly glam!). That’s when Chanel created that signature minimalist chic that defined fashion. The era is just the perfect blend of refined luxury and carefree elegance - I even managed to grab myself a beautifully beaded pink silk evening bag! It goes fabulously with my Parisian inspired pink hat!
Remember my mission in life is to get the world to wear pink tutus so naturally I grabbed myself some lovely pink fabrics, silks, lace and tulle. Even if this isn’t my exact era for the perfect tutu, there is a place for inspiration in every era and these will become a future pink tutu, I promise you!
I had to take some gorgeous ballet classes! So fun - even a classic ballerina like myself needs a good dose of vintage-inspired choreography and a few graceful pirouettes now and again. So of course, the first stop on the dance floor is always, always, a new pink ballet tutu! After all, I'm sure everyone knows the magic of the ballet tutu is timeless! It’s what separates dancers from the audience. The tutus are like an unspoken, yet universally understood code that connects us all. The ultimate representation of ballet!
As a dancer and fashion aficionado, I find these time jumps simply divine. There is a thrill in taking those steps and feeling the movement of dance, surrounded by an era long gone. I can't get enough of exploring the dance history of all those ballerinas before me who paved the way for the incredible stories we experience on stage. Plus, I get the best ballet clothes. It's amazing - the clothes have character. That’s a secret I have yet to share: fashion isn’t about what you wear but how you wear it. Character can transform an outfit, even something from another era, into something unforgettable. It's what separates my #TutuTuesday blog from everything else! It’s about adding personality to everything you wear and it’s the true, unspoken message of my #TutuTuesday blog.
Right now, 1939 was all about flowing tutus, glamorous costumes, and a fresh approach to dance, it was a time that marked a turning point, where innovation and tradition danced a sparkling, swaying, beautiful waltz together. What will you wear today, dearie? I’m wearing pink, what are you rocking today? What about my readers? Who’s rocking their pink today? Maybe you even want to start wearing a pink tutu for some real #TutuTuesday inspo!
Until next time, lovelies! Happy Tuesday and keep on twirling! Let’s go get ourselves some vintage Parisian fashion darling!
Much love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
