Hello my darling Tutu-Lovers! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another post for your #TutuTuesday! 🩰
Oh, how I simply adore stepping back in time! This week I found myself whisked away to 1941. I mean, can you imagine – no Instagram, no iPhones, no… well, you know what I mean. Just old-fashioned glamour and some serious ballet drama.
Now, you’re probably thinking, “1941 – isn’t that during the war?” Well, you’re right! It’s an extraordinary time in history, but that didn’t stop the love for ballet and, of course, the essential tutus! You know, they’re truly timeless! 💖
Imagine the romance, the exquisite music, the sheer brilliance of dance. Despite the hardship, ballet continued to flourish in its hallowed halls. And I’m here to tell you all about it. Today we are on the Parisian ballet scene.
This particular Tuesday, December 30th, 1941, was especially noteworthy. I found myself at the iconic Palais Garnier in Paris, where ballet was and still is a celebrated art form. As I sashayed into the glittering, ornate foyer, a gentle hum of anticipation filled the air, almost like the rustling of a hundred petticoats under shimmering tutus!
The stage, as always, held an enchanting spell. As the curtain rose, the ballet “Giselle,” an absolute classic, transported us to a world of passionate love, tragedy, and supernatural intrigue. This romantic masterpiece has enthralled audiences for centuries! Now I just need to convince some ghosts to try on my new tulle collection! Oh, the photos would be incredible!
Even with the hardships of wartime, a magical air hung about the Palais Garnier. The exquisite ballerinas, their tutus so impossibly light and graceful, spun their magic as if their every move was a defiance of the troubled world beyond. And that’s the thing about ballet – it transcends the limitations of reality and whispers to our hearts, transporting us to realms where dreams become a breathtaking reality!
My, how the dancers glided across the stage! With their lithe movements, precise footwork, and elegant leaps, they wove tales of love, loss, and triumph through the power of movement. Watching them move was an inspiration, making me long for my own barre session! It reminds me – I’ve got a whole bag full of exciting, brand new, vibrant pink tulle to create new tutu designs to wear at the studio this weekend!
Now, while I adore my trusty pink tutu, in those days, the colour palettes for the ballerina's wardrobe was somewhat different. Of course, the staple tutus were and still are white - a sign of purity and grace. But we also saw breathtakingly beautiful pastel colours: powder blue, soft pink, a lovely lemon yellow - a veritable palette of gentle dreams and hopes. I even saw one lovely lilac creation - oh, so romantic!
It's all a testament to the way ballet uses colour to enhance its artistry, evoking emotions and amplifying the drama on stage. They do say, however, that those who choose black in their tutus are "the dark souls of the stage"! Personally, I have only a very light shade of dark grey tutu, but never truly black. It just does not appeal to me at all, really.
But enough about tutus - I just love watching all the lovely fashion, in the ballet audience and behind the scenes too! I am simply charmed by how everyone has styled their glamorous costumes!
Think cascading sequins, feather boas, beautiful hats, sparkling jewellery, and silk gloves that flow with a dancer's movement – talk about chic and stylish! Of course, as an extra touch of magic, my time-travel outfit - a fabulous bright pink dress with ruffles, and a delicate tulle pink tutu - I’m sure had all the fashionable eyes of Paris staring! But they were just so lovely about it and they even gave me the most beautiful compliment on my tutu, which I wore under my dress to make the most of my fashion statement. They love the colour pink and tulle as much as I do - they called my look, "Parisian Glam with an American Flair!" What more could a pink tutu wearing girl want?!
Let's chat more about Paris - oh my, what a beautiful, artistic city! It just exudes charm. If you ever have the chance to go - trust me - you absolutely should! But you'll need to plan your trip carefully – this isn’t the era for hopping on a budget airline!
For a journey like that, one has to take the grandest way to travel - by train! The compartments are all mahogany and plush with leather seating! Why, I’m just longing to take the Orient Express! It would certainly be much more glamourous than riding on the tube – but I digress!
Speaking of journeys - if there's a single thing I want from my travels, it's spreading my message – that everyone should dance with the wind, embrace the grace of movement, and yes, most importantly - wear a pink tutu! The power of a pink tutu is boundless – it exudes joy, energy, and just pure magic! I am so close to achieving my mission to make a tutu out of every fabric under the sun and give one to everyone in the whole wide world. I will even start with my new collection of brightly coloured fabrics, perfect for tutus for all times!
But for now, I’ve got to go – a dance party awaits! If you want to keep up with me, hop on to www.pink-tutu.com and stay tuned for more of your favourite #TutuTuesday stories! Don’t forget to comment on my last post about "The Ballerina's Dream." I’m off to practice some new spins, so catch you later! Au revoir!
pinktutu #balletlife #fashionhistory #timetravel #paris #1941 #tututuesday #giselle