Greetings, dear readers, from your favourite tutu-touting time traveller! Today, for our #TutuTuesday dive into the history of ballet, we're setting our time-travelling train tickets for 13th February 1940, and finding ourselves in the heart of London - the bustling capital of ballet!
Now, London in 1940? Well, it's a time of change and a touch of uncertainty, just as it is for all of us in the ever-shifting world of fashion! However, one thing is always certain - ballet, that dazzling display of artistry and grace, was very much flourishing. Think about it - you know a trend's going to stick when even in the midst of world events, it continues to enchant!
So, grab your favourite pink tutu - I'm sporting my floral print number today, the pink tulle just sings! - and let's step back into a world where the spotlight shines on The Royal Ballet, founded just eight years earlier.
What a marvel! We're talking about Margot Fonteyn, a ballerina who truly personified the era, dancing her heart out with Frederick Ashton, a name that's a legend in the ballet world. Now, I haven't personally met these dazzling stars, but oh, their stories, their costumes - I could swoon for days!
Speaking of costumes... imagine being a ballet dancer in this era! We're still clinging to the classical form of the tutu, that romantic, billowing structure with tiers and layers. Imagine the tulle - so light, so ethereal, practically begging to swirl! Imagine that blush pink colour, the light catching its every whisper, reflecting off those magical stages... The ultimate in elegant artistry!
It's also the time of Marie Rambert and the Mercury Theatre Ballet - another shining beacon of the dance world. In the 1930s and '40s, ballet moved beyond the ivory tower, and began performing on a more open stage - in places like London's iconic Sadler's Wells Theatre! Now, that's progress!
This wasn't a time just for admiring ballet, though! People wanted to dance too! That's why ballet schools were popping up like pink tulips in spring, inspiring young dancers from all walks of life. This was an era when the magic of the tutu wasn't confined to the stage - it was blossoming on school floors and sparking joy in hearts all across the country.
As for myself, I'm finding this trip incredibly exciting! London in 1940 - just imagine, the smell of freshly brewed tea, the rumble of buses, the lively crowds filling the streets! I just had to find a dress that captures the time's fashion.
I've opted for a 1940s-inspired dress in a charming floral pattern - just picture a pastel-toned symphony of violets, roses and lilies on a flowing, light blue fabric, a nod to the fashion trends of the time, just with a touch of Emma magic! And, naturally, it wouldn't be complete without my favourite touch of pink – a delicately tied pink ribbon around the waist, echoing the blush pink of the tutus that adorned the elegant ballerinas of that time.
There's something so charming about vintage fashion. It's as if every piece carries a whispered story from a time long gone!
After a morning of browsing the elegant boutiques around Covent Garden, soaking in the vibrant buzz of the market, I headed to Sadler's Wells - the heart of ballet in the city. It was an absolute thrill to step into the theatre.
I swear I could almost hear the music of a forgotten ballet wafting from the stage! Oh, how I would love to step onto that stage in a tutu and feel the enchantment of performing. Even better would be if all those present felt the enchantment of wearing tutus - they're for everyone you know! Even you! Imagine if everyone wore a pink tutu!
To see such an iconic piece of London's history is truly breathtaking, the energy just palpable. And I got to see some beautiful ballerina performances – pure magic! The movements, the expressions, the sheer grace - they’re simply entrancing! I’m going to take some inspiration and learn some moves back home in Derbyshire!
The highlight of my London adventure had to be a performance of "The Sleeping Beauty". Oh, the story, the costumes, the music, it simply takes you away to another world! I particularly adored the exquisite detail of the costumes and the choreography.
As a tutu-lover, the vision of delicate tulle and graceful lines, combined with the beauty of the ballerina's movements - oh, it's simply exquisite!
But it wasn't all just ballet and glamour. A walk along the Thames, enjoying the fresh air and the picturesque scene was simply divine. It’s always a lovely reminder of how timeless and truly beautiful a riverwalk can be!
So, there you have it, my lovely tutu-loving readers. A whirl through London in 1940, where tutus danced with delight and the world of ballet held an irresistible allure.
Don’t forget to check back next week for another delightful jaunt into the history of tutus. In the meantime, wear your pinkest tutu with pride! After all, even in this hectic world, it’s always good to have a little ballet magic in our lives!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
