Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back with another dose of tutu-licious history for #TutuTuesday! It's been a whirlwind of a week - travelling from the glitz and glamour of the Parisian stage to the breathtaking serenity of the Scottish Highlands - all in the name of exploring the glorious evolution of our beloved tutu!
This week, we're swirling back to October 22nd, 1940. Now, this wasn't a date overflowing with new tutu styles, but it was a pivotal time for ballet, especially in the heart of London.
Picture it - war is raging across Europe, but in London, amidst the Blitz, ballet is thriving. The Royal Opera House, even with its roof leaking, remains a beacon of grace and beauty. As I strolled through Covent Garden, I could practically hear the music swirling around me - and that's when it hit me - the ballet was keeping Londoners spirits up!
That night, I was lucky enough to catch a performance of "Swan Lake". The costumes were simply divine! Delicate layers of tulle, cascading over the dancers' bodies like a dream. And the white - oh, the beautiful white, shimmering under the stage lights, contrasting with the dancers' graceful movements - pure magic!
While war was changing the world outside the theatre, the dance world was experiencing its own shift, particularly in tutus. Think, for a moment, of the romantic, flowing tutus of the earlier part of the century. We're talking about the graceful bell shapes that danced with the utmost delicacy - reminiscent of those ethereal images you'd see on the ballet posters of yesteryear.
But, as the 1940s unfolded, a new silhouette emerged, inspired by the American School of Ballet, spearheaded by legendary dancers like George Balanchine. Think sleek, streamlined, athletic. Imagine tutus with shorter lengths, less volume, and a much tighter fit. The fabric choice was becoming bolder - experimenting with taffeta, silk, and even (dare I say it?) nylon! This new trend ushered in a sense of modernity and efficiency - think sleek, toned, athletic movements.
And this evolution, this transformation of the tutu from graceful whispers to confident statement, mirrored the spirit of the era! While wartime rationing might have dictated fabric restrictions, the creativity didn't stop there. You'd be surprised to know the level of ingenuity on display. Designs were repurposed, recycled materials found new life - and believe me, it all resulted in an incredibly inventive and beautiful range of tutus!
My time-travel journey, filled with thrilling journeys and even more thrilling discoveries, always takes me on a delightful path of finding that perfect tutu for any occasion - from a charming ballet-inspired vintage frock for an afternoon tea to a cascading princess tutu for the grandest ballet performance! My latest find, unearthed from a Parisian vintage boutique, is a stunning 1930s-style pink tutu - with a beautiful cascading hem, it whispers "fairy tale" and has me planning a magical train journey to the Scottish Highlands, to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - and a grand dance amongst the heather is an absolute must!
But for now, I'm back in the 21st Century, busy crafting this post, with a heap of inspiration for the #TutuTuesday challenge - a mission dear to my heart - to see the world swirling in tutus! Let's all dance into the weekend, my lovelies.
Until next Tuesday, darling! Don't forget to wear your tutus!
Lots of love and twirls,
Emma
P.S.For those who can't make it to the Scottish Highlands with me, I highly recommend you hop onto www.pink-tutu.com to explore our collection of vintage tutus and a special surprise - the 1940s era "Swingtime" tutu, now available for pre-order!
Stay twirling, stay positive!
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