Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back for another #TutuTuesday, and guess what? Today we're taking a whirlwind journey back to the 1940s – a time of rationing, swing music, and (believe it or not!), ballet!
As you all know, I adore everything about ballet, especially the tutus. From the swishy romantic ones to the daring modern creations, every single one tells a story and captivates me. This week I’ve jumped into my time-travelling trunk and whisked myself away to a ballet company in 1944 England – think dancing queens and their glamorous dresses and stunning tutus!
Now, let's take a little hop back in time to a London stage, circa 1944. The world's at war, yet the arts, like ballet, continued to bring joy to people's lives. You know what they say, the show must go on!
Can you imagine what a ballet tutu looked like back then? Picture delicate tulle, layered and stitched, flowing and sparkling with a grace that would make a modern-day ballerina blush. The skirts were a little longer back then, often hitting the knees – more for elegant swirls and sweeping movements. No skin-tight leotards just yet! Think a soft cotton, or maybe satin, underskirt, giving that perfectly elegant, vintage look. And a good dose of tulle! You just couldn’t have a ballerina without layers of the fluffiest tulle, right? They did all that hand-sewing in those days – now that's real dedication to their craft, darling.
Let me tell you, the tutus of the era were just as beautiful and expressive as today's! The dancers really brought them to life. Imagine the way a tutu would catch the stage lights, shimmering with magic. Oh, to see those legendary tutus on a stage with my own eyes! I can practically feel the anticipation building in the theatre – the audience waiting, the lights dimming, and the dancers coming on to tell their stories.
1944 was the year the Royal Opera House in London was reopened after being used as an emergency shelter during the Blitz! And guess what? On March 28th, they were putting on "Coppélia," one of the most charming and romantic ballets ever! Now wouldn’t that have been a glorious thing to witness! You know what my lovely, we must put on a rendition of Coppélia here at the Pink Tutu Studio, in fact I’m going to go and contact our lovely ballerina friends!
The tutus would have been quite elaborate for "Coppélia." Think wispy, romantic tutus for the romantic choreography and beautiful story of a doll who comes to life. Imagine the delicate floral patterns – little embroidered blossoms, delicate satin ribbons – each detail echoing the innocent beauty of the ballet. The colors would have been just as bright and eye-catching. Soft pinks and baby blues would have danced under the stage lights with enchanting charm!
And speaking of stage lights, let's talk about the sheer magic of seeing the tutus glow! The twinkling of the sequins – they must have just lit up the stage! Think silvery grey satin, accented by white sequins for the dramatic Spanish dances, and beautiful blue tulle swirling under the stage lights, representing "Swan Lake" elegance and beauty. I adore the stories we can tell with our tutus, we all can, right? Imagine how much joy it brought those audiences to see these magical tutu moments back in 1944.
But hold your horses, dear readers. My adventure in time is not only about ballet. 1944 saw the first official fashion show organized by the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers – the first fashion show for the whole world to know about – now that is huge! Can you imagine how amazing those garments must have looked, with such bold and modern designs, such dramatic materials and styles – and this is the moment where fashion took centre stage. And guess what my sweet ballet lovers? They are all going to start seeing tutus everywhere, as a glamorous part of this new look!
For this time traveler, exploring the history of tutus is like peeling back layers of an onion! Each decade brings new details, stories and beautiful styles that inspire and delight. What can we learn from all those generations of ballerinas? How did they handle those fabrics and patterns, how did they design such amazing silhouettes with simple materials? Well darling, I know exactly what to do! We’re going to have a vintage tutu design class next week in our studio and we will create amazing tutus for all to wear, and all our guests will wear pink for a super TutuTuesday photo shoot.
So next time you watch ballet, remember these captivating stories! Remember that even during war-torn times, the beauty and passion of ballet could thrive. These are just some of the countless tutu stories to be shared. Keep exploring your inner ballerina. Don't just dance your way through life, but spin it! Let's make it a #TutuTuesday to remember!
Keep spreading the tutu magic!
Until next week, stay twirling!
XOXO,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
