Hello my darlings, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! Today we’re waltzing back in time to 3rd March 1942 – a time of war, but also a time of blossoming ballet. As a bit of a history buff myself, I always find it fascinating to see how fashion and trends develop through time, and how even during difficult times, there's always a space for creativity and beauty.
I travelled in my trusty pink tutu, naturally (my train journey wasn’t quite as elegant as a performance but I did manage to snag a seat next to a kind lady who, upon seeing my tutu, promptly offered me a delicious ham sandwich. One of the things I love most about travelling is meeting interesting people and discovering new things).
This week I’m sharing with you the beautiful story of ballet, specifically around 1942.
As you probably know, darling, ballet really started to gain popularity around the 19th century in places like France and Russia. This meant tutus were taking center stage, not just literally, but in the fashion scene! You see, ballet during this era was much more about the art and movement, about creating beautiful shapes and flowing patterns, much like the ballerina tutus.
Now, I'm going to take you on a little trip to a specific place to truly bring 1942 to life. This is a magical city – where the energy and creativity simply oozes from the streets: New York.
Yes, the Big Apple itself, my dears, had been on the rise, and guess what, a lovely, glamorous dance hall called the Metropolitan Opera House opened its doors right there in 1931! Isn't that just fabulous? And even with wartime troubles brewing, people were still looking for some fabulous entertainment and who doesn't adore a good show with gorgeous outfits? I do, I certainly do! And I bet you do too, darlings.
During 1942, there were lots of talented dancers on the scene. Now, let’s look at what’s happening at the Met on the 3rd of March. If I could, I’d hop in a time machine and visit myself – wouldn’t that be just splendid? Well, what they were showing was a big operatic masterpiece: Aïda. Isn't that a divine title, and imagine all those fabulous costumes, oh, I do love operatic fashion, especially those lovely tutus! This show wasn’t a new ballet production, but it certainly had ballet elements – not to mention some incredible vocalists. Can you picture those rich, expressive melodies? Pure magic!
However, 1942 had some significant changes – something called La Traviata hit the scene too – it became a huge hit. Can you imagine, darling, that incredible costume designs, full of sparkle, romance and so very dramatic. If there was ever a time for the perfect pink tutu, well it’d be with that particular opera – oh it’d make me so happy!
While the war made it tricky to gather supplies for the theatre and get productions up and running, they didn't stop. There were many lovely, inspiring shows on offer during that time, even as ballet dancers made their contributions, joining the war effort, knitting clothes, tending gardens and providing comfort. Their artistic spirit persevered, my darlings, and with their passion and dedication to this art form, even when they had to set down their shoes for a while, they continued to be creative and resourceful, showcasing the incredible strength and beauty that ballet stands for, and still does today!
And don’t worry, darling, I don't want to leave you without some fashion inspo. If I were dressing for a ballet outing in 1942 (or today, to be honest), it's a definite pink tutu, complete with delicate embroidery. I love the graceful, flowing style of the tutus then and today - perfect for showing off those pirouettes, right? Don’t forget a beautiful ribbon to match – a gorgeous pink, of course. To top it off, some shimmering accessories and you’re good to go for a delightful, charming outing to the theatre. It's like a whisper of romance and a burst of vibrant color – absolutely irresistible!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my lovely little dancers, keep twirling! And as always, please send me your favourite ballet stories – who knows, we might share it in our next post. You know how much I love spreading the love of ballet!
Remember, my sweet peas, my mission is simple: to make every day #TutuTuesday. I’m convinced everyone should wear a pink tutu, and I can’t wait for our world to be filled with their delightful fluffiness.
Your very own ballerina blogger,
Emma xx
