#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1941-10-21

Hello my lovelies! Emma here, your trusty Tutu Tuesday Time Travelling Tour Guide, coming to you live (well, not live - you know, the whole time travel thing), from the utterly fabulous and very chic city of Paris. Today, darlings, we're taking a twirl back in time to the 21st of October, 1941! Oh, it's a simply divine year! Just imagine, all the delicious post-war couture... swoon!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, 1941? Doesn't that sound a little... wartime?". Yes, my darlings, it does. But wartime or no wartime, the world still needed its dose of ballet! And 1941 was actually a fascinating year for ballet - let me tell you, the tutu was still going strong, even if it might have been a bit harder to get that perfect fabric!

Imagine me, in my perfectly pink tutu - oh, you simply have to see it! I have to say, pink always looks divine against this Parisian backdrop - strutting through the chicest shops of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, finding all the best pre-war tutus that might be hidden away... or possibly imagining they are... but wouldn't you love a bit of history to grace your ballet bag, darling? I just adore that pre-war feeling!

Okay, enough about my exquisite sartorial selections - let's talk history, shall we?

You see, 1941 wasn't all about war - in fact, even amid the turmoil, the spirit of the ballet flourished! The Paris Opera Ballet was still performing! And just a little bit earlier, in October 1940, the famous Ballet Russes company arrived in Paris - they gave a delightful show of “La Boutique Fantastique”, such delightful tutus, such flair, so much grace. I actually danced at that one, très chic, no? *

Speaking of amazing shows, how exciting would it be to experience the premiere of Prokofiev’s Cinderella at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on November 21st, 1945? Such beautiful tulle. And you just know those little ballerina mice costumes were absolutely too adorable, oh yes, I can see them all in my mind's eye... I’d probably go completely wild at the ballet in the Moscow season... Oh to see it all through a Time Traveller's eyes!

As much as it pains my tutu-wearing heart to admit, it seems, though, the history of tutus in 1941 might not be brimming with grand events and lavish premieres... The focus, my darlings, shifted to perseverance, to bringing a little bit of beauty and elegance into the world, even in the face of hardships. That, my darlings, is why I love the time travel element, because I can tell you, ballet just kept on going, through war and hardship. Such beauty through hardship!

Don't get me wrong, I adore all the glittering, flamboyant ballet performances that you've all seen me gush about, darling! Those glamorous occasions are what fuel my pink tutu-wearing passion. But for a #TutuTuesday dedicated to the historical side of ballet, a little reflection on the resilient spirit of dance through challenging times... well, that just makes my ballerina heart swell, doesn't it?

And speaking of swelling hearts, don't forget, you too, my lovelies, can become a #PinkTutuAmbassador! Yes, you heard me right. Spread the pink-tutu-wearing love, tell your friends, tell your families, tell everyone to wear a pink tutu.

But before you go running off to find your dream pink tutu (oh, wouldn't you love that? Pink tulle!), do leave me a little message, let me know how much you love tutus and the magic of ballet, I love to read your comments, it really keeps me going and my Time Traveling machine ticking over! Don’t forget to join me on this website next week for another exciting look back in time! See you next Tuesday, my darling ballet buffs, and stay pink!

Now, my darlings, I do enjoy my travel by train - especially this journey through time. My very special railway ticket tells me that the 21st of October 1941 was a very busy time on the railway! Can you imagine having a choice to travel through Europe, where would you go, where would I go? Would you be in London watching Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in their production of Romeo and Juliet... or would I be sitting here in my Pink Tutu having just finished my très chic cup of French coffee on a delightful terrace, or be preparing to enjoy the wonderful world of ballet? Hmmm.... such tough decisions! But that’s what time travel is all about… or maybe just my weekly dilemma!

What are my plans in Paris on the 21st October 1941 you ask, why the most fashionable ones, of course! You know, I was thinking, the best thing I could do is have an early breakfast in the best restaurant, perhaps The Ritz? Well it is right there at my favourite Place Vendôme and I love it, that building just sparkles! I imagine it was still sparkling back then! Maybe with a few changes due to war restrictions…

But, you see I really wanted to try to watch some ballet. Not because I wanted to try dancing - because in 1941, the dance companies needed more dancers, not less. The only way you could become a member of the dance company was by already being part of the group - this must have been terribly frustrating!

So what to do? I thought, well darling, since we can’t be in the Paris Opera in the auditorium with all those stunning pink tutus to see a performance… why not visit the Paris Opéra for a fashion inspiration day?! Oh, what joy I could experience to walk through the backstage areas with the dancers and to learn more about their wonderful costumes and, most importantly, those iconic tutus. I think those ballet dancers are truly blessed… truly blessed! Imagine walking backstage and seeing the gorgeous outfits hanging on rails ready for the show, such magic, such delight, and those amazing feather headdresses and huge tutus to give you a dramatic flair in their shows. They’ve just got it all, right? That style... That Parisian chic.

So the Paris Opéra has been an absolute must-see, darlings. Not just for the fabulous history, but for all the fashion! Why not pop on your dancing shoes and take a twirl? A very chic little walk around the Paris Opera House! It might even be more fashionable than that lovely cafe. Who knew?

And, before I go - I think you would find that some of the Parisian couture shops have tutus on sale. They do! Because the tutus from around the 1940s are still so stylish. That vintage aesthetic never gets old! Even though we do get very tired of being told what’s trendy, eh? *

Until next time!

See you next Tuesday!

### (P.S - I'm now off to explore another bit of fashion history... if you’re going on an expedition in this exciting 20th Century what must you do? Why go on a Parisian Shopping trip, of course!)