Hello my gorgeous ballet bunnies! Emma here, your time-travelling, tutu-wearing, pink-loving blogger, ready to take you on another fabulous journey through the world of ballet and its ever-evolving, glorious, graceful garment - the tutu!
This week we're whisking ourselves back to a time of Hollywood glamour, big bands and swing dancing, the summer of 1939! London was a hotbed of creative energy, a swirl of bright colours and glamorous frocks - and what better way to add a splash of whimsy to any outfit than a fabulous, frothy, feather-light tutu?! Imagine - Londoners bustling around, a backdrop to stylish gents in their pinstriped suits and glamorous ladies in flowing dresses, topped off by the iconic ballerina silhouette of a graceful tutu!
Oh, wouldn't it be divine? A sprinkle of Parisian flair, a dash of Victorian romance, mixed with a whole lotta vintage elegance. And, to make this picture even prettier, our time-travelling tutu adventure will lead us straight to Covent Garden, London’s beloved theatre district! There we are - nestled amongst the twinkling lights and the aroma of theatre snacks! Tonight is opening night of 'Giselle', one of the most loved, most iconic ballets, featuring our whimsical tutus and thrilling dramatic stories!
The Story of the Tutu: A Brief Recap
Remember our little tutu chat from last week, dears? The story of the tutu begins in the mid-19th century! A Parisian ballet mistress, Marie Taglioni, revolutionised dancewear with her innovative vision! She created the "Romantic Tutu" - light as a feather, revealing the legs with elegant, airy tulle skirts - and this graceful garment quickly took the stage by storm! It revolutionized the way ballerinas moved, and helped define the elegance of the era.
From then onwards, the tutu evolved - transforming from a long, graceful, Romantic style, to a more fitted, glamorous tutu, worn by the legendary ballerina, Anna Pavlova! This dramatic, streamlined tutu gave ballerinas a sleek, streamlined look, perfect for the iconic poses and daring moves that came to define classical ballet.
In the 1930s, when our time travel lands us, the tutu was still evolving, blending with fashion trends, taking on a glamorous edge and often being accessorised with delicate beaded embellishments!
Now, for those of you with a flair for fashion, you might ask, what were these 1930s London tutus made of? A fascinating mix! Silk, velvet, chiffon, and tulle were all used to create the dreamy silhouettes! Oh, and the feather trims, the floral embellishments - oh my, what a delightful riot of colour and texture they created! Imagine the tutus as pieces of fine art, reflecting the exquisite details of fashion in those times, and adding to the grace of the ballerina's form.
The Ballet World - A Whirlwind of Artistic Glamour!
My dear readers, can we talk about the captivating stories of ballet! These stories tell tales of love, betrayal, sacrifice, and victory, all set against a backdrop of mesmerising dance moves, lyrical gestures, and graceful leaps!
And in the world of 1930s ballet, these beautiful tutus became symbolic, each a shimmering representation of the ballet's themes, their forms, their colours reflecting the moods and journeys of each unique tale.
Oh, the Wonderful World of Covent Garden!
This charming district is practically buzzing with life! Its iconic, historical buildings whisper tales of legendary performances and stars, each brick filled with the echoes of famous dancers’ graceful moves and expressive steps! And then, imagine, right in the heart of it, stands the Royal Opera House. Its grand facade is so exquisite and regal! Think opulent red velvet seats, gilded balconies and glittering chandeliers. A vision of splendour and grandeur.
Oh, imagine a show at the Covent Garden. It's practically a magical wonderland! Every aspect, from the costumes and the lights, the sets, and the dancers, feels like a story in itself, transporting you into a different world!
This week, imagine ourselves entering the world of Giselle! The iconic story of a beautiful peasant girl in love, of betrayal and heartbroken sacrifice! This grand, classical story is brought to life in Covent Garden through each movement of the ballet. The Romantic, swirling skirts of the tutus capture the innocence of Giselle.
Oh my, what a gorgeous blend of grace, elegance and poignant stories! This makes ballet so special, and seeing those dancers grace the stage in those enchanting tutus is truly a memorable experience! A story in movement, all within a world of fashion and art!
A Look into Fashion Through Time: How Tutu Inspiration Inspired the World!
Did you know that the influence of tutus reaches beyond the ballet studio and into the broader world of fashion! It’s a beautiful cycle of inspiration and beauty, wouldn’t you agree? The tutus on stage have, for centuries, become a beacon for creativity and an influence for designers everywhere, and in the 1930s it was no different! Think designers channeling those airy, fluid silhouettes in their elegant evening gowns and dramatic skirts! Fashion houses all over London (and the rest of the world!) incorporated those same light and flowing lines of tutus into everyday wear, transforming fashion with a delicate touch!
Think flowing dresses that rippled as you walked. Imagine intricate designs and the soft layers that resembled the Romantic tutu! Imagine how a single garment could influence a world of designers and creatives, pushing boundaries and bringing a dose of grace to the world around us. Oh, the exquisite magic!
A Little Time Travel Advice for My Darling Readers!
So you want to follow in my tutu-tastic footsteps? Are you curious to explore the time travelling ballerina lifestyle? Well, dears, first off, it's an amazing adventure but, you need to be prepared!
Always have your trusty, fluffy tutu packed. (The more pink the better, wouldn't you agree? A pink tutu will get you through any time period.) It can even make a good disguise! Secondly, make sure to pack your comfy dancing shoes, some travel money and an open mind! It’s truly incredible to immerse yourself in the worlds and eras we get to explore!
To fund your trips, well, we have a secret, dear readers. We all do, wouldn’t you agree? It's not the traditional time travel clock or even a fancy spaceship – oh, no! Our method of transportation relies on something even more enchanting - the art of ballet itself. It's how I've seen the world and made this magical blog! I earn a little travel money by performing for people! Each dance, every leap, helps me see another place, another time!
You see, my lovelies, ballet is far more than just beautiful moves - it's an adventure, a history lesson and a ticket to the past, all wrapped up in a vibrant, passionate performance!
So there you have it, my darlings! Our trip through the wonders of the tutu in 1930s London! Next Tuesday, we'll explore the ballet scene in the world, but today, let's twirl off into a world of elegance and history, wearing those delightful, fluffy, pink tutus! We can practically hear the music now! Let’s whirl and twirl to the magical world of tutus!
*Do you love tutus as much as I do? What’s your favourite tutu design? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Until next week, darling tutu enthusiasts! *
Love,
Emma
