Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling fashionista, ready to take you on a fabulous trip back in time! It’s #TutuTuesday and this week we’re swirling right back to June 25th, 1940. Hold on to your feather boas, girls, because we're diving into a historical whirl that's positively bursting with vintage glamour!
Now, I know what you're thinking: 1940, war's in the air, surely it wasn't all tutus and tiaras? Oh darling, you underestimate the power of a pink tutu! While the world outside may have been grappling with global uncertainty, inside the grand opera houses and glistening theatres, ballet continued to blossom like a vibrant, graceful rose. And it's on this day, 25th June, 1940, that the world's attention was drawn to the iconic New York City Ballet. It’s quite the feat for a young company, founded just five years prior, but that's what happens when you've got the vision of a genius like Lincoln Kirstein and the artistic prowess of George Balanchine – a real dream team of the dance world!
Imagine this, ladies: the air is thick with anticipation. The orchestra is tuning its instruments, the stage lights are dimming, the murmurs of the audience hushed to an excited silence. Then, the curtain rises! The corps de ballet, a magnificent whirl of tutus in all shades of white, pinks and pastels, pirouettes into a dance so beautiful it almost defies words. Think fluid, elegant lines, breathtaking leaps, and a sheer joy that radiates from every dancer – a true celebration of life and movement!
That's what captivated the audience in 1940. The ballet was still considered an art form reserved for the elite, but it was a world I absolutely adored exploring in my trusty vintage attire. I just couldn’t help but slip into a charmingly ruffled pink dress (it wouldn't be right for me to steal the dancers' thunder, but a little vintage flair always works!), a wide brimmed hat and some fetching pumps – always the ultimate vintage-inspired fashion combo, don't you agree? I find the style of the 40s utterly captivating – all that crisp, graceful tailoring, paired with beautiful accessories, speaks to me!
Oh, but enough about me! Let’s get back to tutus, because that’s what I really love to talk about! Back then, ballet costumes were undergoing a mini revolution, with emphasis on lightweight, flowing fabrics that allowed dancers greater freedom of movement. And imagine, a whole generation of ballerinas wore tutus that weren't even sewn together, but actually stitched on directly to their leotards! Now that's what I call practicality meets glamour!
While I have to admit, the designs weren't quite as extravagantly ruffled as my own cherished pink tutu (although I do enjoy wearing this gem to both the theatre and my own dance lessons back in Derbyshire, England), they certainly held a classic elegance and a sense of effortless beauty. Just the perfect setting to inspire a few graceful twirls of my own, wouldn't you agree?
Remember darlings, every #TutuTuesday we delve into the enchanting history of tutus and the graceful evolution of this captivating dance form. And in these days of uncertainty, who better than a time-traveling ballerina, embracing the power of the past, to encourage you to dance with confidence, twirl with style, and find joy in every moment?
Before I go, just a quick mention – as a passionate, (some would say obsessed!), dancer myself, I use my time travelling talents for a good cause. I earn a little extra to fund my fabulous trips through my own performances at glamorous theatres. It's such a delight to share the wonder of ballet, its history, and its ability to take us back in time to eras full of magic and beauty. It is a constant reminder that even with life's twists and turns, there's always room for elegance and a whole lot of tutu magic!
Don’t forget to tune in next week for another dose of #TutuTuesday. And darling, I’ll leave you with this: Never underestimate the power of a pink tutu to uplift your mood and inspire you to twirl through life with a smile!
Until next time, dear reader, dance like nobody's watching, but make sure you're wearing your prettiest pink tutu while doing it!
Xoxo, Emma
