Hello, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your pink-clad time traveller, ready to take you on another journey through the captivating world of ballet history! This week we're whisking back to 1943-06-01, right in the middle of World War II, and discovering how the world of dance persevered, and, oh my! fashion, you won't believe it!
My, oh my! Stepping into London town today felt a little… different. The city's got a sense of purpose. You see, it's not just the crisp, cool air or the ever-present scent of freshly-baked bread wafting through the streets – it's the people. Every face carries a weight, but it’s the kind of weight that makes a soul sparkle, the sort that makes the spirit determined to shine brightly even amidst challenging times. It's hard to ignore the wartime austerity; you can't get just any thing, any time – we've got to make do. Rationing's in full effect! Just last week, my beloved London department stores, Liberty, Selfridges, and even the hallowed Harrods, had these very special blackout notices warning everyone to darken their windows! They had all those lovely velvet curtains – they did a magnificent job though. Not even the faintest light peeked through! And you know what? With a little imagination, it even added an air of mysterious charm!
But speaking of imagination, don't even get me started on how people have been reimagining fashion during wartime. Oh! The resourcefulness! With fabric in short supply, every seamstress (including a whole lot of grandmothers and aunts!), has taken to using recycled and repurposed materials – creating all sorts of stylish concoctions. Imagine, new dress designs out of… tea bags? They really have found the most incredible ways to breathe life into vintage linens, and old scarves, giving them a fresh new lease on life! Oh, how creative! The fashion is getting awfully thrifty and playful and there is some fantastic tailoring happening - and they're using all kinds of interesting colours too! And let me tell you, I was all for the pink silk dress in the window of the little dress shop down the road - it just cried out for me to take it on a waltz around London!
As we chat, I imagine all those creative, courageous women going about their day – their creativity sparkling through, dancing between the blackouts. Their hearts just aching to move freely, to let the beauty and joy of a dress ripple with movement as they glide. Their dreams aren't going anywhere.
Speaking of dancing and the indomitable spirit! Ballet remains a vibrant, uplifting art form – especially when the world around feels uncertain! London's Sadler's Wells Theatre – which by the way, if you can get tickets, you simply must visit it – it is utterly stunning! – well, anyway, Sadler's Wells Theatre is simply a haven for those seeking solace and sparkle. There is just something magical about stepping inside those grand halls - it’s like stepping back in time - they do things right there! - a whole lot of beautiful traditional ballet, but they’re always experimenting! It really feels like a magical space for dreaming and escape. Oh! I did go to see a rather excellent new ballet there, a one-act ballet called "Concerto," which, I am sure you've seen if you follow my blog, my lovelies – I just had to mention it! - it’s really breathtaking, truly inspiring, all about music!
Now, imagine this scene – it's 1943, wartime. A spotlight illuminates the stage. It’s a small, humble stage, but the energy pulsates, the audience's anticipation crackles – and all the grace of a tutu swirls before them – with the beautiful dancers swirling under that spotlight, I imagine the weight of the world briefly lifted off everyone’s shoulders. It’s as if even in a world where everything’s changed, beauty and grace find a way. It’s almost as if the spirit of the dancers carries us all into another dimension – full of hope, and yes, a whole lot of fun too!
Even though resources are stretched and we’re in the middle of the war, these beautiful ballerinas aren't letting go of their tutus! They are wearing them proudly - the skirts shorter than normal! The ones that I am absolutely in love with are these lovely soft tulle tutus that are designed with an underlayer of pink satin – and sometimes even a light grey cotton for some added depth. Oh, so elegant and whimsical! We even saw these new tutus last month - they’ve been created with these special circular frills on the waistline. It’s all so incredibly delicate - but strong, really practical, but totally feminine! I can’t wait for this whole new style to be fully incorporated in a ballet - just wait for the photographs my lovelies, just wait!
I was a bit nervous coming to London. You can hear the sirens wail, the anti-aircraft guns roar – and there’s this ongoing threat in the air. I have to admit it - my own, private London apartment feels a bit strange too - the blackout curtains. And let me tell you! I don’t think anyone knows quite what they’re wearing because the most popular fabric around these days is utility! And oh! These lovely young girls, are sporting lovely new colours- think beautiful charcoal with deep greens and a whole lot of blue – with little flashes of vibrant colour for pops. Now let’s be honest – there are some really daring patterns too! There’s even this wonderful wartime denim- but a bit different! I actually found a cute pair in that tiny little boutique in Covent Garden yesterday, my lovelies. They called it 'Victory Blue,' which sounds like a fashion sensation, right? It's as fashionable as you can get when the options are so limited!
Oh, darling. I think I'm making an awfully large fuss, really! There is no need to fret my dear friends - this, this isn't something we're ever going to let stop us from a wonderful evening at the ballet. The tutus? They are making an absolutely remarkable comeback. All those wartime changes, my lovelies, have truly brought new life to the tutu. And my? I have a sneaking suspicion it will only get more imaginative, creative and daring, because when we want something, we find ways to make it happen! We will be sure to come up with the perfect new wartime ballerina outfit, it just feels so important. We can all be wartime ballerinas with these magnificent clothes!
For a glimpse into 1943-06-01 - just remember: it is about finding the beautiful, the vibrant and even the playful. Don't worry - we still have to stay grounded with this wartime austerity and wartime rationing, but remember it doesn’t have to dim our own personal sparkle! If you've got your pink tutu, a little confidence and the energy for a wartime waltz – you are well equipped to tackle whatever the week brings. Until next Tuesday, when we will be sure to have another adventure through the annals of history.
TutuTuesday #WartimeChic #London #Ballet #1943 #BalletHistory #PinkTutu #Emma*P.S. *Have you got a favourite tutu? Share it on www.pink-tutu.com – just tag it with #MyTutu for your chance to feature in my next blog post. And let’s take a moment for the brave women and men of 1943!
