Hiya darlings! Emma here, back with another thrilling journey through the history of the tutu, your favourite fashion statement (after, of course, the magnificent pink tutu)! This week we're whisking back to the 12th of August, 1941 – a time when the world, alas, was dancing a little less due to the big war happening.
But, believe me, the spirit of dance, and most definitely the charm of the tutu, were still alive and kicking! You wouldn't believe what I found during my latest escapade.
I landed smack bang in the middle of New York City. The city was abuzz with energy, but with a touch of quiet reflection as well. You could sense the shadow of the war looming, but people were still clinging to their dreams of beauty and elegance, and the ballet was definitely a place to find those things.
My arrival, you see, was just in time for a grand evening at the Metropolitan Opera House. You know what they say: a girl’s got to have her priorities, even if the world's in a bit of a state!
And the Metropolitan was just as dazzling as I imagined it to be. Picture glittering chandeliers, silk gowns shimmering like a hundred starlight dances, and an orchestra with instruments that could bring tears to your eyes, even before the dancing began.
I snuck into the performance, my own pink tutu shimmering ever so discreetly under my grey coat. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to contain the excitement! They were performing Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake," one of the most timeless ballets of all time, you know. I could barely sit still, and as the beautiful dancers floated across the stage in their white tutus, I swear I could feel a bit of my own inner ballerina starting to come alive.
But I was on a mission, darlings! I had to find the little hidden treasures of tutu history for this week’s #TutuTuesday. So, after the curtain call and while everyone was busy with their Champagne flutes, I scurried off to the backstage area. The aroma of stage makeup and freshly-ironed fabric filled my nose, the murmur of conversation filled the air, and, oh my, what a sight I saw!
You see, back in 1941, the ballet world was abuzz with an exciting new design in tutus. It was like the fashion gods were having a party, and the tutu was the centre of the attention. Instead of the fluffy, full skirt we often see in our time, they were experimenting with tighter silhouettes – think of a shorter skirt that fitted more closely around the hips, just daringly flouncy. I just adored the daring femininity of it!
The ladies at the Met were showing me these wonderful creations, proudly pointing out the little flourishes like the hand-sewn tulle layers, carefully placed seams, and oh, those absolutely divine sequins.
The dance teacher was quite insistent that this new "ballet-skirt" was revolutionary. She explained that it freed up the dancers, allowing for new steps and movements that felt fresh and exhilarating. You can imagine how I, a devotee of dance and all things pretty, was enthralled! This style brought more movement to the ballerina, and they loved the freedom it gave them to explore the story through the movement, instead of just the expression of the face.
While it didn't quite steal the show in 1941 – that award was still firmly with the traditional tutu – this new look was just a small glimmer of a tutu revolution in the making. A sneak peek of what the dance world was becoming. I can only imagine what delightful creations the world would come up with as time moved forward. I'm already excited about all the adventures we’re going to have, darling!
Of course, 1941 was a little different than today. It was wartime, remember? Everyone was doing their bit for the country, even in the ballet world. Some of the dancers, as lovely and talented as they were, had their lives affected by the war. It must have been difficult to maintain focus, especially when you have the fate of the world dancing around your head!
The shows, even with a touch of sombre undercurrent, still carried that inherent beauty and emotion that the art form is so famous for. As the grand finale was about to start, the sound of cheering swept through the room like a gentle wave of appreciation. Everyone was swept away into that magic of music, movement and emotion, just like they always are. It's quite a beautiful sight.
But my adventures didn't stop there. The journey through history continues! This time, I’m off to the land of my dreams… Paris! After that, who knows what sartorial gems the future holds? I’ll be back next Tuesday with more Tutu Tales and an exploration of all things frilly and fabulous! Be sure to keep checking back, my dears, and don’t forget: Life's always more glamorous with a pink tutu.
Until next time, stay sparkly!
Love,
Emma xx
P.S. Remember, you can visit www.pink-tutu.com for more of my adventures through time, fashion tips and general musings about the fabulousness that is the tutu! Let's all spread the love, shall we? Let's see more pink tutus in the world, my darling readers!
