Hello, my darling tutu lovers!
Welcome to #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet history, served with a sprinkle of glitter and a whole lot of pink! I'm your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another blast from the past! Today we're twirling back to January 2nd, 1940 – just imagine! Can you picture it?
As you all know, I'm utterly obsessed with tutus – their history, their evolution, the sheer joy they bring to the world. So, let's grab our teacups, sit back and take a magical journey to the world of ballet and fashion in the 1940s!
Tutu Tuesday: A Glimpse Back To 1940Picture this, darlings – the year is 1940. The world is a bit of a whirlwind, with news of war looming, and people are doing their best to make do with what they have. But don't you worry, because the world of ballet is still twinkling! In fact, the story of the tutu, even amidst those troubled times, is a testament to human resilience and a reminder of how even in the face of hardship, the love of beauty and artistic expression never truly fades.
Remember how much we all love our ballet shoes? Well, today I’ll be delving into the story of the "romantic tutu," which became so popular at the time!
We all love a good story, and the romantic tutu's story starts around the 1830s in France, and is such a good read. This style of tutu, characterized by its billowing, flowing fabric that skimmed the ground like a cloud, embodied the essence of romanticism, and perfectly reflected the dramatic, emotive stories that were unfolding on stage at the time. Can you imagine the wonder and awe that the audience would feel watching those billowing layers swirling and twirling in the spotlight? Just amazing.
But let’s get back to 1940, where the romantic tutu was still a favoured style. But times were tough, with wartime rationing meaning fabrics like silk, the typical material for those airy and dreamy romantic tutus, were scarce. You wouldn't find these gorgeous, voluminous creations being worn all the time.
But, never fear, dear readers, because those ingenious ballet costume designers found clever workarounds. They experimented with other fabrics and methods to create stunning and romantic tutus! This creativity really makes me so inspired, don’t you think? Maybe the 'romantic tutu’ had to take a back seat, but the ballerina spirit kept going, dancing and sparkling right through wartime challenges.
Speaking of resilience and beauty, did you know that ballet, despite wartime anxieties, continued to thrive? Imagine! People used dance and art as a powerful form of escape – a beautiful oasis of hope and expression amidst the uncertainty. There’s no denying that it’s an incredible feat that ballerinas continued to grace the stage, radiating elegance and beauty for audiences that desperately needed some light.
You see, my lovely tutu lovers, the tale of the tutu isn't simply about a garment; it's a chronicle of change, creativity, and the sheer tenacity of the human spirit! The way dancers adapted, the clever innovations that arose, it’s truly inspiring. The beauty of ballet wasn't dimmed. In fact, I believe it shone even brighter in 1940.
What were we doing on January 2nd, 1940?
Let's look at the world beyond the world of the stage for a moment. On January 2nd, 1940, news around the globe was dominated by the looming threat of war, with anxieties about potential conflicts escalating in Europe.
In the world of fashion, 1940 brought the beginnings of the “New Look” trend that would sweep the world later! But we can talk all about that in a later #TutuTuesday.
Here in Derbyshire, where I was born and raised, people were living with an increased awareness of global tensions. People were doing their bit – volunteering for the Red Cross, saving up food supplies for those in need. But the show must go on!
I find it so fascinating how amidst anxieties and uncertainty, the spirit of the people remained strong, and we see the same spirit shine through the story of the tutu. I just love how the beauty and creativity of ballet didn't dim in the face of hardship; they found innovative ways to shine brighter.
That’s exactly the lesson that I bring from each time-travel journey back to you! The spirit of beauty and hope lives on - we need only to find ways to let it sparkle!
My Ballet Week: Train Travels & Tutu Tales!Well, my dear readers, I’ve had a thrilling week, a whirl of dancing, travelling, and endless outfit planning! I even snagged a gorgeous pair of silk ballet shoes – a real treasure! You know I love to collect unique pieces for my #TutuTuesday archive!
Of course, my week wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Royal Opera House! Watching "Swan Lake" was a complete joy! I loved every single flutter of a costume, each dramatic gesture – just a dream. I could go on about it forever!
However, this wouldn't be a true #TutuTuesday without a touch of pink magic. Guess what? The entire performance was set in a beautiful, soft pink backdrop – it was divine! You know I simply can't resist the power of pink – it's truly a magical colour.
Let's finish this post with a sprinkle of inspiration, dear friends! Don’t be afraid to embrace a splash of pink – wear a tutu on a day out, let your creativity flow, and spread that pink-tutu joy! You don’t need to time-travel to have a little pink adventure!
I'll leave you with a lovely thought for the week - “Let the rhythm of life guide you, and don't be afraid to twirl to your own beat!”
Until next #TutuTuesday!
Love, Emma!
P.S. Did you know I also write about my adventures in vintage fashion and historical travels on www.pink-tutu.com? My latest article is on the history of “Ballet and Fashion on the Big Screen”. Make sure to pop over and see it. You know I have some stunning photos from a trip to Paris.
Don't forget to follow me on my adventures with the #PinkTutuTimeTravel on social media!
Love, Emma x
