Hey my dears! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another instalment of my #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! As you all know, I'm utterly devoted to the fabulousness of the tutu, and my passion for delving into its past is almost as deep as my love for a perfect pirouette. This week, I'm zipping back to a rather turbulent era: August 6th, 1940. Yes, folks, we're going right into the thick of the Second World War!
Hold onto your tiaras, because this period was definitely not a "picture perfect" moment in history. Imagine, dear readers, London's West End ā the hub of theatre and fashion - under a perpetual shroud of darkness. Theatres had to contend with blackout restrictions, leaving the stage bathed in dim moonlight. Even the ever-so-stylish Londoners had to adjust to drab colours and repurposed materials.
But don't think for a moment that ballet succumbed to the warās bleakness. It continued, albeit in a very different guise. Many of the esteemed ballerinas, including the glorious Margot Fonteyn, became part of the war effort by participating in patriotic performances, bolstering morale amongst a nation struggling through a difficult period.
Speaking of ballerinasā¦ Imagine my utter delight at discovering that August 6th, 1940, saw a legendary performance by the iconic Alicia Markova! Oh, how I adore her elegance and grace. Sheās a true inspiration to every tutu-lover out there! Imagine, watching her command the stage in a breathtaking performance even with wartime hardships all around!
That's the incredible thing about dance, isnāt it? It transcends time, and its power to inspire remains constant even in the midst of darkness. Although this era didnāt exactly scream "pink and fluffy tutus" at me, I couldnāt resist bringing a little bit of balletās elegance and whimsy into my time-traveling wardrobe. You wouldn't catch me waltzing through bombed-out streets in my most glamorous sequined masterpiece (though I bet I'd make quite the sight!) - but a beautifully structured, war-toned (think charcoal, olive and deep blue!) tutu perfectly fit the atmosphere of 1940s England. It definitely provided a much needed touch of ballerina-esque glam during these bleak times!
I spent a wonderful afternoon watching Londoners trying to keep a semblance of normalcy amid the restrictions of the war. They really put our āausterity measuresā of today into perspective! It made me think of those wartime ballets where dancers transformed ordinary objects, like suitcases, into captivating stage props. Theyāre a real testament to human resilience and creativity.
Of course, I had to pay a visit to Sadler's Wells Theatre - then the home of The Sadler's Wells Ballet - to soak in the ambiance of that historic venue. Despite the limitations imposed by the wartime conditions, I could truly sense the theatreās enduring magic, ready to bounce back into brilliance.
Oh! Donāt think for a second that I let the war dampen my shopping spirit! Thereās always a hidden gem waiting to be discovered ā even if youāre hunting through wartime rationing stores! Iām telling you, darling, it was a true adventure in vintage fashion. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I unearthed a fabulous hand-sewn tulle piece in the colours of wartime Britain! I absolutely couldn't leave without it! Now, where do I find a beautiful wartime coat for it? (Suggestions anyone? Leave me your favourites in the comments below!)
Remember, darling, my dears, a little bit of ballet magic goes a long way. It doesn't matter where you are, what era you're in or whatās going on in the world around you, that twinkle of excitement and artistry never fades. If you can dream it, you can dance it - even with the world going through tough times! And that, darling, is a truth for every age, every decade, and every pink tutu enthusiast.
Donāt forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com to keep up with all my adventures, darling!
Love always, Emma xoxo
P.S. Remember to share your tutu inspirations and stories! Tag me @PinkTutuBlogger and donāt forget to include the hashtag #TutuTuesday.
Blog Post Number: 5667
