Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday journey through the delightful world of ballet history, darlings! I'm your time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, bringing you all the tutus and twirls from across the ages! This week, we're taking a little trip back to 1941, and it's a time of both joy and uncertainty.
As I stepped out of my time-travelling tutu box, the scent of coal smoke and rationed tea hung in the air. This was London, a city braced against war, yet somehow still blooming with a spirit of elegance and strength. You could feel it in the rhythm of life, the careful steps and hopeful whispers - a beautiful resilience that echoed in the world of ballet, too.
It's truly fascinating how ballet blossomed despite the turbulent times! For the ballet world, this era saw some real shining stars.
Let's talk ballerinas! In the US, the great Alicia Markova was at the peak of her fame, dazzling audiences with her elegance and artistry. Margot Fonteyn, the ethereal English ballerina, was still honing her craft. They were leading ladies whose stories are etched into ballet history ā the embodiment of grace and talent. And of course, the legendary Anna Pavlova (we remember you dearly!) had passed away a few years back but her impact on the ballet world remained incredibly strong.
What were we wearing on that March 11th, 1941? Now, we might think of 1940s fashion as all about those elegant and feminine A-line silhouettes, but the war had a massive influence on fashion. The "utility dress" reigned supreme, made of durable fabrics like wool and cotton and often with simple designs.
Imagine if those classic pointe shoes, which we all know and love, could have a conversation with the pumps and platform soles of the 1940s! A bit like an afternoon tea between generations! You know how much I love a good dance fashion history chat ā it's pure joy to see how times have changed, yet still, how some things stay utterly timeless.
On this very date, I hopped on a beautiful steam train to journey to Sadlerās Wells Theatre in London! Yes, the legendary Sadler's Wells ā it was the epicentre of the ballet scene, where you could witness groundbreaking new ballets and performances by renowned companies. Can you imagine, my dear friends?
Now, I don't mean to boast but my vintage pink tutu was definitely making an impact in that theatre! A little splash of colour in a world facing hardships ā I think itās important to keep a bit of magic alive even in challenging times. Just like the ballet! A symphony of grace, rhythm and strength, reminding us that beauty is always around the corner, even when the world feels unsteady.
*Of course, my adventures in time can't end there, because Iām here for you and for sharing this passion with you! * So what else happened on this historical day in 1941?
Letās have a little glimpse into some more details and then we can have some fashion funā¦
ā¢ In a faraway land (from London, but definitely not from us) - on March 11, 1941, the Philippines declared itself independent from the US. Now, can you believe it, darlings? They chose their own path and this day became a symbol of courage and hope, of striving for independence, just like the spirit of the ballets! It truly makes me reflect on how even in those difficult times, a new path and a new start were possible.
* ā¢ Meanwhile, back in good old Blighty (or "Merry Old England", if you like)* - London was preparing for another potential blitz attack. The tension was palpable. Yet, life found a way to continue ā it was simply different!
* ā¢ Remember all that talk about rationed tea and the āutility dresses" *? And we mentioned those stunning pointe shoes (I still wear them when I go through the time-space vortexā¦!) but oh, dear friends, you know there were restrictions on many products, even ballet shoes, back in those days! Those beautiful pointe shoes? Often made with less leather due to those wartime rationsā¦ it's an incredible reminder of the sacrifices people were making.
** And hereās where we get a bit whimsical! Imagine if a 1940s London ballet studio, in the middle of a wartime black-out, lit up only by candlelight, were to have a pink-tutu-clad ballerina pop in from the futureā¦ The shocked yet thrilled expressions of the dancers ā pure bliss!
Imagine, darling readers, imagining thatā¦ because that is where my thoughts are always heading, whimsically, toward the enchanting power of imagination, even in a grey-tinged wartime world!
Letās delve back into the historical aspects now ā
ā¢ Speaking of fashion - on this date, Vogue Magazine had a new editorial. The cover, featuring the ultimate fashion icons of the day! Oh how we can all learn so much by just looking back on a classic fashion cover of the time, a glimpse into what was inspiring those lovely ladies who danced gracefully, or did their daily shopping, or created beauty even amidst uncertaintyā¦ And all of this is inspiring me, and I trust you, too, darlings.
ā¢ And yes, The Daily Mail, one of Englandās main newspapers, was being printed! It must have had such newsā¦ it had an important role in keeping people informed ā thatās how I learn of all those important things when I travel in my Tutu Time Machine! * So we all have a great deal to thank that iconic newspaper, and so many others from the past! *
And oh, you just know, on the 11th March, 1941, my time-traveling tutu-obsessed self found a little vintage boutique tucked away in the city ā maybe somewhere off Marylebone Lane? - Iām keeping a secret on this exact address - because it's where I snagged this adorable pink-striped wool top (all about keeping warm, remember? ) and some perfectly 40s vintage-style jewelleryā¦ which really completed the whole Tutu Traveller look.
But the highlight of the entire visit ā finding a genuine antique 1920s ballet skirt! * ( It's definitely *not what I expected but what a prize for my Tutu Tuesday Collection!!) ā It is definitely giving āballet meets vintage coutureā ā perfect! Just look at this vintage pastel-tulle ballerina skirt I brought back! Absolutely dreamy! This little discovery in 1941 definitely brought *TutuTuesday magic * back to the future ā to our present!
The trip wasnāt all glitz and glam, of course! As any true traveller will tell you, time-travelling can be a bitā¦ challenging! I wonāt bore you with details of trying to make an avocado toast using wartime rationed rations, (which sadly involved some interesting experiments with black market bananas!)
But overall, my journey was both fun and humbling. Seeing how resilient and hopeful people could be during those trying times ā it fills me with even more appreciation for the ballet, for fashion and for everything that keeps us connected and creative, my dears!
Remember, even in our day to day lives we can choose a little sprinkle of magic, and spread it far and wide with every dance and twirl we can create. It's in the rhythm of life, the delicate movement, and the joyful spirit ā like a beautiful pink ballet tutu shimmering in the spotlight!
That is why I write my blog, for all you ballet-loving and fashion-obsessed souls out there. Letās celebrate our passion for dance and for the stories they tell - in their delicate steps, in their breathtaking leaps and in their graceful swirls, always, we find that unique charm of life that we just cannot live without.
Stay tuned for my next journey through Tutu Time - same time, same place, on www.pink-tutu.com next Tuesday, darlings! #TutuTuesday - Post Number: 5698
And donāt forget, spread the Tutu Love! š©°š
