Hello my lovelies!
It's #TutuTuesday, and that means we're taking a little trip back in time, this week to 4th July, 1944. My, oh my, I feel positively vintage, even in my modern day pink tutu! Just imagine a time when people only dreamt of such extravagant tutus in the vibrant shade of my darling pink!
Now, don't picture me getting all nostalgic on you. 1944 was a truly difficult year. A whole world at war, everyone a little on edge, a little uncertain of the future. You'd think there wouldn't be much room for a little pirouette and a twirl, would you? But even amidst those troubles, there was still ballet, and the glorious history of the tutu continues!
Oh, that sweet train journey back to 1944!
I have to say, though, even with my time travelling shenanigans, the journey on the steam train this time was quite a challenge! Just getting enough petticoats to give my tutu that right airy, fluffy look for the wartime fashion was tricky enough, let alone all the layers I need to make it look super, super floaty and feminine. I really hope nobody asked me what I was wearing... those petticoats, piled up high like clouds in my little suitcase would be quite the conversation starter, even for the most modern of passengers in 1944!
You know I like a little extravagance! Now, if you’d been in the audience at the New York City Ballet on this particular 4th July 1944 you’d have witnessed a dazzling performance. In fact, the piece that really caught my eye was 'Interplay' by the most sensational Balanchine! This little number, set to an arrangement by the one and only Stravinsky, had a simple elegance and yet the steps were so incredibly clever and intricate, all while somehow appearing absolutely effortless and utterly delightful. A pure joy to watch, the ballet really brought the entire auditorium alive. Even in a world at war, it’s remarkable how much beauty and art people were still craving, a beautiful contrast, isn’t it?
The war did have an effect on the designs of the tutus. It's amazing, really. Just how practical those early designers were. Imagine a time when sewing supplies were rare and there were a shortage of fabric. So, clever, innovative, designers, like those working with the American Ballet Theatre had to really find inventive solutions to overcome the difficulties. It’s almost a forgotten tale now, but it was the story of the tutus. How were they going to carry on the tradition of dazzling designs for dancers on the stage in these war times?
One solution they found was that shortened tutu design with a very short skirt – we know these now as the ‘Romantics’– and made of much thinner fabrics to make sure there wasn’t the same demand for heavy fabrics or for longer and wider lengths. Now, the tutu styles weren’t quite what we have in today’s ballerinas' costumes - the longer skirt in my gorgeous pink tutu takes about two hours of prep and my dear assistants in Derbyshire make all the fluff, tulle, netting and layers perfect and that’s just the tutu before the rest of the outfit! Oh my goodness, in this 1944 world I am travelling through, there wasn’t any time for fancy extra detail like I have! Just lots and lots of tulle for every movement and pirouette!
Fashion in 1944 and Ballet!
What would fashion have looked like for those beautiful ballerinas? The colours they were using in these post-war pieces? Wartime fashions in 1944 were very much about keeping the look simple. Everything focused on rationing. Fabric and colours were used wisely with the use of dark colours and recycled material! The look? Practical! Comfort was paramount! They would definitely have been dressed with a bit of war-era chic: Think simple, chic dresses with some elegant, refined accents and even some lovely bright colours. Think floral patterns and geometric prints. And a beautiful, full length coat.
I do love a good war-time coat with a great design! And don’t get me started on hats – 1944 fashion had such beautiful and inventive hats! I could tell you how a perfect hat was the most stunning way to carry a fashionable look off. The hat was just everything - colour, style and attitude. I love the designs - fascinating in both the designs and how much it added to every woman’s outfit! You know I have a big hat collection and there were certainly a few designs that inspired me to start it! Now that really was something for #TutuTuesday!!
But wait, this is #TutuTuesday and the time to talk about ballerinas' style! What did ballet fashion in 1944 really look like? What could those beautiful ballerinas have been wearing?
You can still find pieces from the 1940s, even the period in which these tutus would have been worn. So, we know what fashionistas wore – the dresses and coats! The style in dance at the time also featured a full range of colors - you will be amazed by how bold some of these beautiful ballet outfits are and even the pastel shades were bold! But mostly it was the cuts of dresses, how much effort designers had gone to, with these shorter designs. You may be able to picture a shorter skirt length tutu but for these ballerinas to wear it so perfectly, there must have been a lot of movement work done with every detail perfected with every movement.
That is one thing I will always cherish from each trip. The dancers! Their talent is simply jaw-dropping and these ballet companies were really pushing for more performances to provide some comfort for their audiences during war times. That sense of the need to deliver their skill so that others may find joy is inspirational and certainly very, very heart-warming. They brought so much happiness to their communities, the audience so often would find so much joy and solace from these ballets, just like me with all my love for the ballerina dance!
It's all about remembering history and keeping a positive perspective! Even in the tough times we face, even in wartime, we can still find beauty, passion, and yes, even the magic of a perfectly pink tutu, dancing!
So, let's dance with a little joy, with a little bit of love and with that little bit of hope for tomorrow - we will keep on going! Remember to share all your love for the tutus, the ballet performances you see and please tag #TutuTuesday and let me know all about your latest #TutuTuesday story! And for some added inspiration why don't you have a go at making your very own tutu? I’ve seen some amazing tutorial videos online! Just let your inner ballerina bloom!
Don’t forget to check back here next #TutuTuesday - and I’ll see you on the dance floor!
Emma
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