Hiya darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time-traveller, Emma, back again with another delve into the delightful history of the tutu! This week, we're twirling back to 18th August 1942 - a time of wartime uncertainty, but still, oh, the glamour!
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, tutus in the midst of war? Surely, the world was too busy with rationing and bombs!" And you'd be right, in some ways. But you see, darling, ballet has always held a special place in people's hearts, even in the darkest of times. A little escape, a burst of beauty and grace - it's a bit like my obsession with pink tutus, really.
So, let's hop on the time machine and see what the world of ballet was like on this particular August day, shall we?
The year is 1942, and we're whisking off to the heart of the tutu world, the ballet capital, London!
Firstly, I have to share, darling, that I totally fell in love with a stunning dress in Liberty’s - think pale pink chiffon and cascading ruffles! Just divine! Honestly, even amidst rationing, London's shops still possessed that elegant flair!
Now, you may wonder why we’re visiting London on 18th August, and the answer, darlings, lies with one of the world’s most famous ballerinas: Margot Fonteyn. Now, if you haven’t heard of Margot Fonteyn, then, darling, you are truly missing out! Her name was synonymous with graceful perfection and a breathtaking style! You might even say she had a touch of ‘tuttitude’. (Get it? Tut-itude? Okay, I’ll stop!) Anyway, darling, Margot was giving a performance on 18th August! (I do hope they had a fabulous programme for this occasion! Perhaps a little pink paper in honour of this fabulous event?!). The entire world seemed to agree on her sheer artistry. And honestly, it’s just the sort of performance I’d want to be seen at – looking effortlessly chic, of course. I found a fabulous 1940’s vintage shop on the King’s Road with a gorgeous silk blouse and some vintage silk shoes to pair with my own personal pink tutu (because a girl’s gotta have some colour in these austere times, darling!), and let me tell you, it’s the look I'm totally rocking for a night at the ballet!
On 18th August, while the world felt uncertain, and our soldiers were fighting across Europe, the ballet continued to inspire, to offer solace. Margot Fonteyn, gracefully gliding across the stage in her romantic tutu, became a beacon of hope. As I said, it’s quite like how I think of tutus – beautiful, timeless and graceful. A pink tutu is a perfect touch of beauty, grace and magic – even on a dark day in the world’s history, darling!
Speaking of hope, have you caught my new series on my site, "Tutus Through The Ages?" I’m showing you how even during times of global uncertainty, a passion for ballet has survived and thrived. And darling, as we are learning about this period of history – even during war – it reminds me that even during our daily struggles, there is still time for magic and for ballet.
The tutu is not just a costume, darlings, it's a symbol. It's a symbol of our dreams, our passion for art, for creativity and our inner ballerina, and in my own personal mission, it's a reminder to bring the world some sparkle!
Now, I'm off to catch a vintage train from Derbyshire to London! What a fab way to get around! As for today’s ballet class, you can catch my live story on my Instagram stories tonight for the behind the scenes – oh, I’m feeling inspired and graceful – let's keep dancing, darlings!
Remember, to bring the sparkle!
Emma x
