Hello my lovely tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday and another trip through time! This week, I'm hopping on the time-travel express (a very stylish one, I might add, with a floral patterned carriage and velvet seats) all the way back to July 2nd, 1940. Buckle up, darling, because we're going on a whirl through fashion and history!
Now, 1940…a time of change and resilience, much like today. But amidst the war, something lovely still flourished - the love for dance! Imagine this: the world is in a state of flux, yet the elegance and beauty of ballet continued to shine through, bringing comfort and escapism. It was a time of strict rations and war bonds, yet even then, women (and let's not forget the men!) were dressing with an enduring spirit. Think cinched waists, skirts skimming the calves, and colours like scarlet, green, and, of course, a touch of rosy pink!
On July 2nd, 1940, if you were to walk into a London theatre, you'd likely find the London Ballet, the Royal Opera House, or even the Sadler's Wells Ballet gracing the stage. The war had already affected dance productions, with some ballet stars enlisted, but the spirit of performance persevered. Ballet was a haven for audiences to forget their troubles for a while, and imagine a world of graceful steps, breathtaking costumes, and the intoxicating beauty of art.
What was going on with tutus back then? Well, the designs of this era still had a strong Romantic feel. Think soft, flowing layers of tulle with an abundance of delicate ruffles and a charming, fairytale feel. While these weren't exactly the mega-layered, modern day tutus you see now (seriously, I struggle to even move sometimes!), the elegant, romantic shapes remained ever present.
One name I absolutely must mention - Margot Fonteyn! Imagine my joy when I stepped back to watch her glide across the stage. Truly one of the greats! Imagine a slender, graceful figure in a stunning tutu of flowing white, her movements both powerful and poetic. This era was definitely a time of elegant refinement, and Margot's talent truly exemplified the sheer brilliance of ballet in this era.
And speaking of brilliance, how about those iconic colours? 1940s fashion saw a rise in vibrant colours and, like I mentioned earlier, pink was in full swing. Imagine delicate floral print tea dresses paired with cardigans in softest pink and elegant ballerina flats.
I even managed to snag myself a vintage pink and lavender print day dress and I wore it with pride, dancing with a group of charming gentlemen who insisted I teach them a bit of ballet. Even though dancing was quite different back then - the waltz was the move - there's a kind of magic to watching people, however young or old, simply move with joy!
Now, for all you tutu enthusiasts out there, what's our lesson from 1940? Dance, darling! Let the rhythm take you, no matter what life throws at you. You might not have a vintage pink tutu handy, but find your inner graceful movement - even a spin in your favourite dress around the living room can transport you!
I'll be back next week, dear readers, with a new exciting journey through ballet tutu history. Until then, twirl on and wear pink,
With love and twirls,
Emma
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