Hello darlings! Welcome to this week's #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History, number 5805 on www.pink-tutu.com! I'm your pink tutu-wearing time-travelling blogger Emma, straight from Derbyshire, England, and I am just brimming with excitement about this week's journey! Today, my lovely lot, we're whisking ourselves back to 30th March 1943, a time when the world was embroiled in conflict, yet the ballet world was bursting with grace and beauty, just like a delicate pink tutu twirling in the moonlight!
This past week, I have been soaking up the atmosphere of London! It was such a thrilling experience! This city, with its bustling streets and beautiful buildings, has such a wonderful buzz, even in these difficult times. I was fortunate enough to catch a performance of 'Giselle' at the Royal Opera House - oh, the spectacle was divine! I felt the pangs of love and despair alongside the dancers and, for a moment, was transported to a different world, away from the worries of the day. That, dear readers, is the magic of ballet, it takes you on an extraordinary journey without leaving your seat!
So, back to 30th March 1943, the very day, ladies and gentlemen, that a little gem called the 'Flower Festival' by the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, opened its beautiful petals at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York! I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this captivating production on my last trip there. It is an elegant, vibrant creation that celebrates the arrival of spring, and let's face it, who doesn't love a touch of floral cheer? It was designed by the one and only Leon Bakst, a Russian artist, famous for his gorgeous costume designs. Imagine his colourful tutus shimmering in the stage lights, a delightful blend of pink, blue and green. Truly magical!
It is no secret that the world of ballet is deeply entangled with its magnificent costumes. The costumes play such a crucial role in portraying emotions, setting the scene and creating atmosphere! It’s so much more than mere attire. I'm here to tell you about how ballet's fashion has developed, showcasing how tutus, in particular, have twirled, flipped and sashayed their way through history!
And now, back to 1943, during which a delightful tutu-related event took place: a fashion show dedicated to ballet costumes! This event, organised by a well-known designer named Irene Sharaff, was staged at the New York's famous Bonwit Teller department store. Can you imagine the sheer joy of viewing the exquisite craftsmanship and creative visions laid out before you? I simply had to go! Of course!
The star attraction at this grand affair, a magnificent red tutu! It belonged to no ordinary ballerina but the sensational Margot Fonteyn, a shining star of the time! Imagine her delicate figure, perfectly adorned in that crimson masterpiece! Oh, how my imagination flits back to the elegance and grandeur of the occasion. I can almost smell the perfumed air and hear the hushed gasps of admiration.
Speaking of ballet’s fashion stars, it’s time to introduce the incredible designers who were behind those captivating creations in 1943: Charles James and Claire McCardell, just two examples of these design luminaries!
Now, imagine a graceful ballerina in a pale, shimmering tutu created by the ingenious Charles James, his signature flowing lines beautifully capturing the movement and fluidity of the dancer! Imagine how this timeless masterpiece, with its intricate detail and elegant drape, enhanced the choreography of the dance, becoming almost a part of the story itself.
And what about Claire McCardell, known for her sophisticated yet casual designs? Imagine the perfect harmony of the beautiful simplicity she brought to the ballet, her garments allowing the dancer to truly shine through the artistry and athleticism of her dance. These were the talents that sculpted and shaped the look of 1943's ballet fashion and continue to inspire even today.
Of course, tutus in 1943 weren’t just confined to the stages of opera houses or the glittering glamour of New York department stores. They graced dance classes and, although times were hard, a good dance performance always brought smiles and a temporary escape. It's heartwarming to imagine children attending classes, wearing their own tutus and pirouetting to their hearts' content! It brings joy to see their innocence and love of dance reflected in their own small tutus.
And of course, one simply cannot forget the legendary ‘The Red Shoes’, a truly iconic movie which captivated the hearts of audiences across the world! This charming cinematic story starring Moira Shearer, is full of breathtaking choreography, an abundance of spectacular tutus, and all told, against the backdrop of a wonderful journey of dreams and passion, it is a classic. The costumes, in particular, are captivating - the very sight of those scarlet tutus dancing across the screen makes my heart sing!
As the time-travelling ballet aficionado that I am, I see the profound significance of tutus throughout history. The very idea of a dancer gliding through the air, a pink, swirling tutu like a cloud around her - well, it’s an unforgettable sight! I think every woman feels that thrill, a twirl of joy inside! I know, deep in my pink tutu heart, that these magical pieces will continue to twirl and dance, inspiring wonder and enchantment for many generations to come.
Speaking of enchantment, what better way to end this blog than a tiny ballet trivia nugget just for you! On this date in 1943, a famous prima ballerina named Alicia Markova, was gracing the stage in a breathtaking production of ‘The Nutcracker’. It’s wonderful to imagine the beauty and the elegance of her performance, with its intricate footwork and graceful extensions, as well as her exquisite movements all encased in that classic, beautifully crafted, tulle creation, a ballerina's delight!
So, as we leave 1943 for now and journey back to the present day, remember the legacy of the beautiful ballerina’s costume, the ballet tutu. Its captivating silhouette, its graceful lines and the endless ways it captures a dancer's heart, just like mine! I simply love them and hope that you have been inspired by this #TutuTuesday blog! Do share your thoughts with me and follow along as we travel further back in time next Tuesday! I’ll be right here waiting! Don't forget to wear your pink tutu! It's Tuesday after all! 🩰💖
