Hello my dearest Tutu Tribe! 🩰💖
It's another glorious Tuesday, which means it's time for another delightful dive into the world of ballet tutus! Today, my fellow pink-tutu enthusiasts, we're stepping back in time to February 11th, 1941, and it's time to explore the glorious world of tutus through the eyes of a Derbyshire lass!
I arrived at the opulent Palais Garnier in Paris feeling quite the sensation. My pink tutu was just the thing to stand out against the elegance of this magnificent building. The theatre had just hosted its very first ballet show just a year earlier. My oh my! Talk about history being made! I’m getting quite the reputation amongst the ladies for my time travel escapades and the Parisian ladies were simply enthralled by my pink tutu and my accent from my little home county in Derbyshire.
Now, let’s journey back in time just a bit. The ballet scene in 1941 was going through quite a bit of a change! The world of ballet was in a bit of a change – you see the war had been raging in Europe for about a year now and many of the ballets of the time reflected that change in the mood, with a certain emphasis on heroism and strength. As much as I admire the spirit of the times, there's nothing like a swirling pink tutu to banish any blues.
On this particular day in February, the Palais Garnier was filled with a mix of traditional dancers and innovative choreographers. The traditional dancers stuck with the tutus of yesteryear, you know, those big, full skirts we see in those romantic, beautiful, sweeping ballets.
But, imagine this – in a break from convention, some avant-garde choreographers started experimenting with shorter, more streamlined tutus, with dancers really needing to move freely and boldly with those fast movements! The tutus were actually showing off more leg and the entire effect was sleek and modern, perfect for the dynamism of the ballets of the time! Just like today’s ballets with their mix of contemporary and classical. They have it all - a bit of old, a bit of new! The perfect blend of a traditional tutu with something bold and exciting. The modern-day designers are really pushing the boundaries, with everything from tutu-inspired leotards to statement tutus, each designed to complement the dancers' movement.
My very own time travel was all thanks to ballet and my trusty trusty, old trusty train. (I have the most fabulous time machine. A real steam train that comes out every night with the perfect amount of steam for my time travel escapades.) This beautiful pink tutu – a vintage, genuine masterpiece, just as wonderful as those tutus they’ve been using at the Bolshoi Ballet and all the big opera houses around Europe for centuries, and every now and again it comes off and onto the luggage rack of the train. Oh darling, the train ticket I purchased yesterday, is quite the souvenir. I am so going to have it framed! A relic from time itself, to be added to the collection back in Derbyshire – I keep a trunk full of all the tickets and programs of shows I’ve seen, alongside old theatre programs – and an incredible selection of antique tutu fabrics, all bought at fabulous little stalls in the markets!
If you happen to be in London in 1941 on this very date, there is a wonderful selection of ballerina shoes at the most exquisite boutiques! Darling, I had a lovely time shopping at Liberty! And while London is quite the treat with a bit of 1940s couture - that 1940s wartime fashion is truly something else! And then to make the entire experience complete - just a short ride down the street to Covent Garden, and it was a treat indeed! You should definitely plan a visit - a show in 1941! There were beautiful women dancers that brought a twinkle to their audiences’ eyes.
On February 11th, 1941, a truly glorious and fascinating date! This was my second visit, and I’ve discovered some wonderful treats that will make my tutu shop collection in Derbyshire something special, oh darling, it truly will be my vintage tutu shop!
Before I rush off to pack my collection of Parisian treasures – all the beautiful vintage hats that were worn in the Palais Garnier - a fabulous treat to find! (I do wish I could have brought some home for my customers back in my home town but then my time travel machine would not have enough steam to get me back! And besides a good Londoner girl likes a touch of extravagance and a well-stocked hat collection.) So, off I go again - more adventures for me!
Well my darling Tutu Tribe, I shall be going - off on my adventures in my fabulous pink tutu! Remember – don't be afraid to put a touch of pink tutu into your lives, my loves! 💖🩰 Until next time…
Stay fabulous!
XOXO
Emma 💖
