Hello darlings! It's Tuesday and time for another dose of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! 🩰
I’m Emma, your time-travelling tutu-obsessed fashionista, bringing you the best of ballet history and fashion through the ages!
As a Derbyshire lass, my heart beats for the beautiful countryside, but you won't find me stuck in the fields, no sirree! This week, I've travelled to New York City, the Big Apple itself, and landed right in the middle of World War II, where it’s hard not to feel a bit subdued.
But don’t worry, my dears, I’m bringing you all the glitz and glamour you can handle! ✨
For those of you who like a touch of vintage, 1943-09-21 is a real date to remember. Let’s rewind our clocks…
The Ballet World
Right now, in 1943, America's sweetheart, the American Ballet Theatre is really making a name for itself! It's headed by the dazzling Mikhail Fokine, the original ballet rockstar, and their show is taking Broadway by storm.
What’s that? You haven’t heard of him, dear? Well, Fokine is practically royalty! He brought choreography to a whole new level, blending story and movement.
And he loves * *to travel, making stops in major cities around the world, bringing his revolutionary Ballet Russe all the way from Europe!
Speaking of travelling… did I mention I have my eye on a beautiful lilac feather boa for our trip next week? It'll look smashing with my raspberry-hued tutu, which is perfect for going out for cocktails after a show.
Back to New York, ballet schools are booming and the fashion magazines are full of photos of dancers and their outfits, from satin ballerina flats to stunning floor-length gowns. I even saw a lady in the street wearing a tutu under her coat, like the fabulous Margot Fonteyn, who is making headlines across the globe for her elegant dance moves.
I can’t imagine wearing a tutu on the street, unless of course it’s one of those ultra-chic pink tutu-skirts with pockets for all our lipstick, lip gloss, and tissues. 💄 👄
Life and Style in 1943
This era is all about making do, but we never give up the glamorous spirit.
It’s war time, *so we're seeing lots of *recycled fashion as people repurpose clothes for a new style. Old dresses are being restyled and transformed, and everyone’s digging into their wardrobes for creativity!
The good news is, we are in New York City after all! That means the vintage boutiques are full of goodies! I even picked up some gorgeous wartime hats - feather trims are big right now - and I found a fabulous black and white houndstooth wool suit. So stylish and timeless!
Now I need a new pair of black shoes, as matching your handbag to your shoes is all the rage! And my cherry-red lipstick isn’t really doing me any favors in these gloomy days. A new lipstick and some eye shadow would work wonders!
My Travel Tips for the Day
I love catching a train from New York City to Philadelphia, and a first class ticket is just the best! They don’t have to be worried about *warfare, * the dining cars have an incredible spread, and I even discovered chocolate bars in the shop - oh so good after a dance performance!
But, dearie me, these trains can be cold in this early Autumn, so I made sure to bring a stylish cardigan and a lovely mink fur that’s perfect for an evening performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, just for added warmth!
I hope this post has filled your head with ideas and glamour! Don’t forget to follow my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History journey here on www.pink-tutu.com.
Until next week, my darling! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Emma xx
