Greetings, dear readers, and welcome to Pink-Tutu.com! It’s Tuesday, and that means it’s time for your weekly dose of all things tulle and twirls. As a lifelong devotee to the fluffy wonder that is the ballet tutu, I’ve been time-travelling through history to bring you fascinating stories about its evolution.
Today we’re taking a journey back to 1943-06-15! Now, I know what you’re thinking - “Emma, the war is on! What could possibly be going on in the tutu world then?” Well, dear readers, even during wartime, ballet continued to enchant audiences, and that includes the Tutu itself.
It's so exciting to be in Paris right now! I absolutely adore the romance of this city, particularly for the grand old opera houses, and the ballet performances that are happening all the time. I mean, where else can you experience such magnificent costumes and thrilling stories? Just this weekend, I saw a gorgeous rendition of “Giselle”, and the sheer beauty of the tutus took my breath away. The delicate layers, the soft pastel colours, oh, just breathtaking!
Before we dive into what was going on in the world of dance fashion, let's remember that this period in time was a turbulent one for everyone, especially across Europe. Even during times of war, the world kept spinning, and there was still an immense thirst for beauty, creativity, and entertainment.
What did ballet performances look like on this particular date in 1943?
Firstly, it's important to know that Tutus were undergoing a transformation, evolving from the iconic Romantic era tutus of the 1800s towards what we consider the modern classical tutu. This was all thanks to the innovation and artistic brilliance of ballet dancers and choreographers!
There were two dominant types of Tutus being used:
The Classical Tutu: A grand and magnificent Tutu that resembled the iconic Romantic era tutus with more volume. We're talking long, dramatic layers that create that enchanting cloud effect when a ballerina takes flight. These Tutus were perfect for emphasizing the ballerina’s graceful movements and were still the go-to choice for performances like “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, and “The Sleeping Beauty”.
The Demi-Tutu: While shorter and less dramatic, the demi-tutu still offered a graceful, graceful silhouette. This more flexible style, made famous by Igor Stravinsky’s "Petrushka”, was perfect for conveying emotion and movement in a more expressive manner.
Both styles of Tutus were still usually crafted with many layers of tulle and, oh dear me, how much they must have weighed! Imagine trying to twirl with all that fabric on. You have my admiration, dear ballerinas of the 1940s. It takes true strength, elegance, and precision. And, just imagine the amount of tulle used – what a delight for a pink-loving girl like me.
As an extra special treat for this edition of #TutuTuesday, I got my hands on a beautiful 1940s photograph. Look at this incredible shot! A ballet performance right in the heart of war-torn Paris! How beautiful and inspiring to see that art could continue to thrive in the midst of hardship! This photo, which I think may have been for “The Sleeping Beauty”, features dancers in classic Romantic-inspired tutus that are simply majestic. Can't you just feel the grace and fluidity?
Tutu fashion continued to influence clothing, especially for eveningwear. What were fashionable women wearing? Well, tutus were making a splash on the catwalks, particularly in London and New York! Even during the wartime shortages, designers were experimenting with variations on the tutu silhouette for glamorous evening wear. Think dramatic tiered skirts with gossamer fabrics, the classic shape just toned down a little. The Tutu was, and still is, the epitome of grace, romance, and elegance – who wouldn’t be inspired to put their own twirling twist on the style?!
On this particular date in 1943, I had the most glorious day exploring the vintage shops of Paris. You won’t believe what I found. The perfect Pink Tutu in the most gorgeous pastel pink. This was exactly the color and style I'd been hoping to discover - so elegant!, so soft, and just what I'd been picturing. You know my rule - “Pink Tutus, Everywhere!”. I mean, how can you be miserable when you’re twirling around in pink tulle? It’s a truth, I tell you, my friends!
So, as I’ve been travelling around the world through history, seeing all of the incredible events and trends in Tutu fashion, I can see that its impact has grown with each passing year. But just imagine, what we are seeing now, was dreamed up by brilliant people all those years ago! The ballet dancers and choreographers were so incredibly forward-thinking!
A pink Tutu is a powerful thing, darling. Remember, you can always wear pink tulle!
Let me know what you think of my latest discoveries by commenting below. See you next week for more #TutuTuesday magic, darlings! Until then, twirl with a pink heart and a joyful spirit.
Yours truly,
Emma
P.S I love hearing from all of you. If you have a suggestion for my next #TutuTuesday adventure in time, be sure to let me know! And, of course, send me photos of your fabulous #PinkTutu adventures. It fills me with joy and wonder. Don't forget to share them with your friends, too!
This is a fun, positive and family-friendly blog post on the history of ballet tutus with a pink tutu theme. It touches upon the different styles of ballet tutus, and fashion, while making sure the context of World War II is appropriate.
This blog could be the start of a successful fashion blog aimed at girls and young women interested in fashion history. It promotes the joy and creativity associated with dance and style. This style of blog can provide positive messages that can empower young women, through its focus on creativity, fashion, dance and history.
