Hey lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another historical hop for your weekly dose of Ballet Tutu History! Today we're taking a train journey, choo-choo! back to July 13th, 1943, to see what the world of ballet was wearing. Grab your teacups, darling, and settle in for a vintage-tastic adventure!
Now, 1943 might seem like a strange time for tutus, with the war rumbling on, but believe me, even the darkest of times canāt dim the shine of a perfect tutu. In fact, this was the very year that the tutu, in its more modern form, truly took flight!
Imagine a London brimming with wartime spirit, the streets filled with the clatter of trams and the sing-song chirping of street sellers. In the grand theaters of the city, however, it was all about the Parisian influence. This period was marked by a revival of classic ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle, re-imagined with new grace and a certain je ne sais quoi. It was this era that truly refined the tutu de plume, or āfeathered tutuā - those romantic, billowing layers we all adore. Gone were the overly bulky and restricting, āold-fashionedā designs of earlier decades. This was about simplicity, flow and fluidity, bringing ballet's magic to life with every graceful swirl.
Oh, and speaking of swirls, this year also brought the dazzling Alicia Markova to the stage of London's Sadlerās Wells. Imagine her performing, bathed in spotlights, a graceful apparition of beauty in her stunning feathered tutu. I almost forgot where I was - I just wanted to jump on stage and twirl!
Of course, 1943 was more than just elegant tutus and soaring ballets. It was a time of challenges, with shortages and wartime restrictions impacting life in Britain. It might surprise you to know that utility clothes - simple and practical garments - were very popular at the time! But what does this have to do with our tutus, you ask? Well, here's where my love for fashion and historical nuance comes in! Even under difficult circumstances, people craved a touch of beauty, a glimpse of grace amidst the turmoil. Thatās where ballet became a sanctuary.
Seeing beautiful dancers swirling and leaping in their magnificent tutus provided a sense of escapism, a fleeting journey to a world of pure artistry. Itās this duality that fascinates me - the blend of wartime hardship and the resilience of artistry. Thatās why, my dear readers, we need pink tutus more than ever. We need that joyful expression, that symbol of hope, in our world today just as much as they did in 1943.
To truly embrace this historical tutu moment, imagine yourself strolling through the heart of London, war sirens echoing in the distance. And yet, you are utterly captivated by a grand theater facade - a glimpse of the opulent, breathtaking ballet world within. It's this magical contrast that makes ballet so compelling.
It's also this time, in 1943, that sparked my time travel obsession. Seeing these ballerinas perform, with the war raging around them, showed me the true power of ballet, the sheer beauty and resilience it embodied. And just like those wartime dancers, I'm embracing the challenge of living out my passion for ballet and all its magic, traveling through time and space to share its stories with you!
Let's celebrate the brilliance of those pioneering tutus, their artistry and resilience. So, my dearest tutu enthusiasts, how will YOU bring a touch of this history to your Tuesday? Pick out your most stunning tutu, slip it on and embrace the beauty of the past.
I'll be twirling with you!
Until next time, keep on twirling!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Be sure to join me next Tuesday, my dear lovelies! Iāve got an absolute treat for you ā a journey to the exciting year 1950, the rise of modern ballet and the launch of New York City Ballet! And I know, of course Iāve planned a trip to the fashion houses, a few stops at some shops for new tutus and ballet shoes, and possibly even a chance to take a ballet class. See you there!
