Hello lovelies! Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, the only blog on the internet dedicated to the history of the most magical garment known to humankind: the tutu! Today we’re stepping into the swirling world of ballet back in 1944, a time of resilience, artistry, and (of course) beautiful tutus! This is post number 5866 – you can catch it all over on www.pink-tutu.com I love being able to take you all back in time with me to explore the beautiful story of the tutu. I know we all love dancing around in our own tutus! I always do in mine!
This week, we’re hopping on a shiny train carriage, leaving the familiar comforts of the 21st century for a dash into the wartime years. Now, don’t be imagining grim drabness! It's still a vibrant world, just one adjusting to a new rhythm, where elegance and grace were desperately needed. Remember, darlings, we have a tutu to be found!
We arrive in London, a city of stoic strength and twinkling spirit. Just like a shimmering ballet, this city continues to waltz on even in the face of hardship. On 30th May 1944, London buzzes with the usual Tuesday hustle and bustle, a rhythm familiar even amidst the extraordinary times.
But amongst the news of the war, a very special ballet performance takes the stage! Tonight, The Sadler’s Wells Ballet (later the Royal Ballet) presents "Giselle" – a hauntingly beautiful ballet about betrayal and sorrow, perfect for this period.
Now, here’s the twist! Tutus are changing! While 1944 wasn’t quite ready for the whimsical, romantic style of the tutu we adore today (a sigh, yes, darling! It’s a story we'll cover next week), they’re evolving! In this time, we're starting to see the birth of the romantic tutus! Imagine the softness of silk, layered beautifully to flow and swirl as the dancers gracefully move. Just thinking about it gives me a little shiver of excitement!
This evening’s performance will have beautiful flowing tutus for Giselle – I’m simply imagining the elegance as she flits about! A new wave of innovation in dancewear and tutu design began sweeping across the stage, a touch of magic even amidst wartime realities!
The 1940s saw a burst of brilliant designers pushing the boundaries of creativity in the ballet world! This era, in particular, witnessed the resurgence of the ‘romantic’ tutu. We’re not quite ready for that full bloom of puffy tulle – a delightful adventure we'll explore together in another #TutuTuesday! But these softer, romantic styles, born of layers and graceful fluidity, brought an elegant grace to each dancer’s movements.
Of course, I'm always keen on the vibrant pink tutus, but the elegance of white silk – oh, it’s like dancing on clouds! It makes me yearn to visit a grand opera house with swirling lights and exquisite dancing, then grab the prettiest pink tea dress to make a quick trip for a few delicious French macarons after the performance! (I might even pack a little tiara to give the outfit that touch of royalty, as is only fitting for a tutu enthusiast!)
You see, darling, a tutu is more than just a dance outfit. It's a statement of expression! It’s an explosion of joy! And like a dazzling waltz, we move on into new styles, pushing boundaries and adding beautiful layers to the history of ballet’s iconic attire.
I’m off for a quick ballet lesson this afternoon. And yes, I’ll be twirling in my brightest pink tutu! I know my pink tutu makes the whole class twirl faster, and you can catch glimpses of our class fun over on our Pink-Tutu.com social pages. Come join us for the fun and I’ll see you next Tuesday for a new Tutu Tuesday!
