#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1942-01-27

Hello my darling dears! Welcome back to another sparkling edition of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet tutu history! This week, I'm whisking you away to 1942, a year brimming with history, but always overflowing with tulle! I simply adore the fashion from the wartime era! Oh, those gorgeous silhouettes and chic hats, it just makes me want to twirl. Just imagine yourself in a divine tea dress with a neat, round hat on and a perfectly fitted suit with matching shoes to strut down the street with a cheeky flick of your head. Oh darling, I must stop, my pink is bubbling over with excitement for 1942! I had such a wonderful time time-travelling this week to a special ballet performance which reminded me that I needed to tell you all about this beautiful era of ballet history, so grab a cuppa, your favourite cake and a sprinkle of ballet magic as I transport you back to this elegant age. And, oh my! did I mention the glorious dance shows in 1942? I simply had to watch several during my latest trip back in time. Simply magical!

It's amazing to think about the remarkable ballet performances that were taking place during this year, especially the sheer amount of people who loved and adored the art form. What is it about a simple but elegant dress and perfect steps which completely pulls in the audience and just leaves everyone totally in awe and wondering how humans could possibly do such elegant movements. It's almost divine, isn't it?

Of course, every fashion-conscious dancer will know, it all started with the first true tutu; the tutu romantique - which debuted in the late 1830s - the very embodiment of ballet. Oh, the layers of ethereal tulle swirling with such delicate movement, each dancer's pirouette a little burst of graceful perfection! As if they've become pure magic as they dance on stage!

But my love, what would a Tutu Tuesday blog be without some spectacular insights into what’s hot on stage!

Oh, the enchantment of seeing a stunning pas de deux dance! This romantic style ballet will captivate your senses - even from this far off future I've just returned to! - The passion between the partners was breathtaking and even if I had only been on a flying visit, the dancing mesmerised me.

One of my all-time favourite shows La Sylphide, the most delicate of all ballerinas, flitting across the stage like a beautiful and gentle sylph, oh! I must be in my haven now with thoughts of ballet, the very essence of ballet at its heart - such a dreamy escape! I am always mesmerized by its ethereal story! What an iconic production!

## On This Very Day, 27th January 1942, Let's Have a Dance!

If my calculations are right and my fantastically magical time travelling hasn't failed, I can reveal that one spectacular ballet is being performed this very day in 1942. And do you know what it is? Swan Lake! Isn’t it a magnificent, graceful ballet which never fails to leave the audience mesmerised. The story of love, heartbreak and a swan, what could be more graceful and tragic and just absolutely wonderful to watch! Oh, it's a must see my darling and it seems so many others were in agreement, the show was a smash hit on the stage that very day, in 1942.

Now, this week is all about the gorgeous vintage and tutu style of fashion back in the 1940s. Think of those darling fitted dresses with simple rounded hats, just a touch of that extra femininity that makes us ladies look and feel incredible, don't you agree, love?

You don't have to just enjoy ballet from afar - there are countless ways to bring the sparkle and glamour into your life, every single day! Just by wearing a delightful pink tutu, especially my fabulous fashion-forward darlings who just want to make a statement with a touch of whimsy, and of course exquisite elegance.

My sweet darlings, we can celebrate every aspect of a vintage tutu! So be it a perfect, fluffy tutu, like the dancers you have just been transported to. Maybe a more everyday, ballet-inspired skirt. What about a beautiful pair of elegant ballet shoes? Oh my, every little bit adds to that magic we want in our wardrobes! Even if you have a bit of tulle on your clothing, let's be a fashion trailblazer, and add a bit of extra magic! A dash of style here, a touch of sparkle there... we’re going for that graceful ballerina vibe in our outfits to really bring out our feminine grace. Don't be afraid to add some little pink ballet ribbons to your outfit, that's my signature look for my darling girls who want to feel beautiful inside and out. Just look back at 1942 when everything was so refined, sophisticated, and graceful. Isn't it amazing what can happen with some lovely tailoring, a beautiful material like tulle or even adding the detail of some ballerina shoes, which never goes amiss! You just need to find a little twinkle in your eyes and a bit of that fabulous ballet energy!

This week we will explore those fashion must haves of 1942, but not just to look like everyone else. No, darling! It's how to put your own unique twist on it. We're aiming for balletic style – and what could be better than to celebrate our love for ballet?

And of course, as a time travelling ballet enthusiast, the train has become an absolute favourite for travel, it's just such an elegant and lovely way to travel to your favourite destinations! Back in the forties, ballet enthusiasts often journeyed by train to experience some of the spectacular ballet shows. What an amazing experience, to look out of the train window and to think that so many others around you might be heading off to a show.

Don’t you think it is time to embrace some vintage charm again in 2024 and get a trip to London to see a fantastic Ballet Show on a *special vintage steam train. The perfect trip?* And a very fashionable one too!

Just imagine... it's a little-known fact, the term “Ballet Street Dance” or “Ballet Street” originated around this period, to bring out ballet outside of the theatre. What an amazing way to inspire more people to start exploring the art of ballet. Don't you just adore that?

I love how that idea took off! Maybe I need to take another trip back to 1942 and see if I can help this ballet street dance become more well-known across all neighbourhoods around the country! Think about it... it can add some lovely elegance into your daily routine.

We’ll continue to bring you fantastic facts about ballet in future blogs - I can’t wait to tell you what it’s like in the years to come (some really incredible shows emerge towards the end of the 1940s – don't miss out next week! What’s more, a brand-new show makes its debut this very year, 1942, on June 21st, but more on this in future blogs!

I do love all things pink. I find wearing it gives a touch of magic to an otherwise bland day.

Please send in your Tutu Tuesday comments and requests in the comment box below, we do adore our feedback, darlings

Have a wonderful week and remember *Always twirl! *

Yours Truly

Emma