Post number 5738 - Welcome to www.pink-tutu.com, darling! It's another #TutuTuesday, and I'm here with my #BalletTutuHistory - bringing you the latest and greatest from the wonderful world of tutus through time!
I'm so excited to share with you what was happening in the ballet world on December 16th, 1941. The world felt rather turbulent back then, but let's focus on the wonderful and the dance, shall we?
This particular December day in 1941 saw New York City's stage alight with the magical performance of "The Nutcracker"! It seems like such a beautiful escape from the grim reality of war. Just the thought of the gorgeous tutus swirling with snowflakes makes my heart flutter. Oh, how I wish I could have been there! I bet it was glorious to see the magical performance of the "Sugarplum Fairy" in her pale pink tutu.
Now, it might seem surprising that a war raging wouldn't have stopped the theatre from presenting this beloved ballet, but I reckon they figured something beautiful and magical might just be what everyone needed. They could still enjoy the sheer elegance of those ballerinas pirouetting with such effortless grace. You see, a tutu has a way of making the world feel a bit more like a fairytale. It makes everything more sparkling, romantic and graceful, doesn't it? And the power of dancing is magical, wouldn't you agree?
Before I tell you more about what was happening in the ballet world back then, I want to talk a bit about the wonderful world of 1940s ballet!
Did you know that ballet during this period was evolving beautifully? There was this glorious sense of modernism emerging, a real breaking away from the old traditions. Ballet styles were taking some amazing new directions, and dancers embraced that newfound expression. The costumes also became much more vibrant and creative! It was a fabulous time to be in the audience and a very exciting time to be a ballerina. I have to admit, I'm quite drawn to the bold patterns and textures of these earlier 40s tutus, with the beautiful use of colour.
That 40s feeling definitely has its own vibe - just the sheer energy and movement of the dancers, with their amazing outfits. And ballet shoes? Oh my! The beautiful point shoes. The classic simplicity. Pure poetry!
Anyway, back to the "Nutcracker" performance of December 16th, 1941. Did you know that it was actually in New York City that "The Nutcracker" became the big Christmas classic we know and love? Imagine the festive joy it brought to the audiences! Itās easy to see how "The Nutcracker" became such a timeless and beloved ballet. Even today, you can practically feel the magic when you watch those Sugarplum Fairy tutus float across the stage! And whatās better than a pink tutu for the Christmas season?"
On a similar note, let's also talk about ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Do you love her iconic look? The timeless, elegant grace, those fabulous poses and her famous long tutu ā what an inspiration for us all! Iām always taking my own ballet inspiration from her. What better way to start your #TutuTuesday morning than with a little ballet magic, wouldnāt you say?
I mean, really - there is something quite spectacular about a ballerina in a full pink tutu, donāt you agree? If the thought of it isnāt making you giddy with excitement, we need to talk! š
But wait! Thereās another little nugget of history from this time to share!
If you've ever been mesmerised by the artistry of the Royal Ballet, remember that December 16th, 1941 was the very same day that they started out in Covent Garden! Thatās right! Just like me, the Royal Ballet has a little Derbyshire connection. It all started from a brilliant idea of Ninette de Valois, who thought there could be a fabulous ballet company, bringing magic and movement to audiences everywhere. She called her creation "The Sadler's Wells Ballet." Can you imagine a 20s-era Ninette de Valois? It's such a fascinating period!
Of course, the Sadler's Wells Ballet soon rose to fame as the Royal Ballet, performing beautiful, graceful, inspiring ballets all over the world. We must thank de Valois for her vision, and her contribution to the wonderful legacy of ballet today. And remember - a ballet legacy starts with the tiniest of things, such as a young ballerina in her tutu, perhaps in some faraway Derbyshire village, learning all those twirls and turns!
But letās move back to those gorgeous costumes for a second. The elegance of ballet and tutus really does never seem to fade, does it? From the 1940s, we have those bold, romantic colours, the gorgeous, free-flowing tutus that really danced around the stage with so much movement and expression! Think romantic pinks, deep blues, and dramatic reds, all with gorgeous frills, a little lace, and *that ballerina glamour* ā and I can't help but be a little obsessed.
Think āGiselle.ā You just know she had some sensational tutus. Oh, what an inspiration! Just picturing that wonderful āGiselleā ballet story ā the romance, the emotion, the beautiful, expressive movement of ballet in its truest form. And with a lovely tutu in the limelight, it's just so glamorous and perfect!
Donāt you think that the magic of āGiselleā started to make it to those 1940s ballet shows, taking centre stage? With the *swoosh of the tutus, the incredible leg extensions, and those iconic hand gestures, everything came to life in a perfect whirl of elegance and beauty!*
I simply love those tutus ā the simple lines and all that romance, so elegantly sweeping around the stage as the dancers bring the story to life. Every spin and leap just brings so much drama, such fabulous, inspiring magic and beauty. I could go on forever about ballet and those fantastic tutus, donāt you think?
You see, a tutu really does tell a story, in a silent, expressive, enchanting language. Every pirouette, every jump, and every pose tells the tale of the ballerina. But really, with such stunning costumes and so much expression, it becomes your own personal ballet adventure.
I wonder where my journey in the pink tutu will take me next week? Where could a #BalletTutuHistory enthusiast find her way? But in the meantime, what fabulous #TutuTuesday inspiration will you be picking up from your own trips to the ballet?
Be sure to let me know and give a big hello and hello to the magical tutus in the world! Remember to look fabulous, spread the magic, and most importantly, enjoy that dancing fun!
*From the fashion-loving time traveler, Emma - www.pink-tutu.com
Have a magnificent Tutu Tuesday! *
