Hello my darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another fabulous Tuesday! Today's journey in our pink-hued time machine takes us back to the 20th February 1945!
Oh, what a wonderful time it was to be a ballet enthusiast! As I zipped through the time portal (in my oh-so-gorgeous hot pink tulle tutu, naturally) I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous fashions. I could just imagine how utterly glamorous it would be to step out in a satin evening gown, a glittering diamanté belt and, of course, a glorious pink tutu!
Now, let’s travel back a bit to discuss where our love for the tutu began! You see, dear readers, whilst our tutu story starts long before 1945, it’s important to understand the history of this garment that holds such significance in the world of dance.
The modern ballet tutu we know and love evolved from a simple, white, calf-length skirt that was worn by early ballerinas. As we progressed through the early 19th century, these skirts began to shorten, becoming more form-fitting, emphasizing the leg line.
This shift was mainly thanks to Marie Taglioni, a legendary ballerina, whose iconic dance, “La Sylphide” required her to move with an ethereal grace, and her tutu was designed to allow for greater movement. The tulle skirt was shorter than earlier ones, creating a new, romantic image of a wispy, airy and floating nymph.
The ballerina's grace became even more obvious when these tutus, and dance itself, was made more visual thanks to the invention of the gaslight! By the end of the 19th century, the tutu, often constructed in several layers, started to be used in all ballets, highlighting every step of the dancer's movements with incredible detail and elegance.
Now, back to the 1940s and that fabulous day, the 20th February 1945, in particular! I whisked through the air, landed on a station platform in London and just like that I was swept up in the elegance and glamour of post-war fashion.
But don't get caught up thinking it's all glamorous. Life in wartime wasn't all elegant. Remember, this is still wartime! So while we enjoyed the grace and beauty of ballet, many women had their focus set on practicality, strength and resilience. Many found comfort in ballet shows and performances that offered an escape from the harsh realities of war.
This desire for escape led to a real burst in the world of ballet during the war. People craved art and entertainment, something beautiful and joyous, to take their minds away from the grim realities of the war. This contributed to a surge in popularity for ballet companies all across the country!
Even if fashion itself had been significantly affected by rationing, beauty and grace had to be found, somehow! With material shortages, ladies had to become inventive and clever when it came to creating new and stylish ensembles from the very limited resources they had available. It must have been so inspiring for designers at this time.
Back on 20 February 1945, this amazing period of inventiveness and strength had a tangible presence everywhere I went. I loved seeing how people took limited resources and made such fashionable statements.
I noticed one very elegant lady wearing a charming floral dress in shades of pink, the bodice fitted with careful seams. To top it off, she wore a dazzling silver bracelet which sparkled beautifully in the afternoon light! It demonstrated to me how beautifully the everyday was woven with elegant pieces. Her outfit is such a perfect example of how even during times of rationing, people sought beauty and stylish statements.
Another detail that took me back to the 1940s is how people traveled by train. That morning, I jumped aboard a beautiful old railway carriage. It was packed full of eager passengers. This was just a normal everyday journey for many people. And you could tell just from their clothing and attitudes they had places to be, dreams to pursue and people to see. It really made me realize that a train journey wasn't simply a journey of getting from point A to B; it was a part of everyday life, it was part of living life to the full.
My adventures for the day took me on to a performance at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Oh, darling readers, how utterly spectacular! As the curtain lifted to reveal a breathtaking performance, I could almost feel the weight of history on my shoulders. The magnificent costumes were beyond description – exquisite silks, shining fabrics and sparkling beading. The stage seemed to pulsate with life, full of talented and exquisite ballerinas.
Even though it was war time, the whole atmosphere in the theater was a perfect blend of elegant refinement, exciting energy and a sense of hope for the future! The entire audience were swept away by the elegance and beauty that was right before their very eyes! The theatre was simply alive with grace, strength, and power!
It really reminded me how essential ballet is as a form of escapism during any times of challenge, especially during a war, and even more so when people craved entertainment. People could escape into this world of ethereal beauty, which reminded them that even though times were tough, there was a beautiful world still there.
Of course, being in London I was very keen to visit a few shops! My heart raced as I wandered the streets, windows filled with enchanting designs and glamorous creations! But even then, it struck me that even despite wartime rationing, there were still remnants of this love for stylish clothes. It was amazing to witness how the limited supplies of fabrics could still be fashioned to create something extraordinary and unique.
At one store I found myself staring at the most elegant silk blouses – a sheer joy for any woman who wanted to add some chic glamour to their look. And I could not believe my eyes as I noticed several ladies purchasing gorgeous scarves – a stylish touch, perfect for completing any ensemble, whatever the occasion! You could see the love for beauty and the desire to feel a touch of glamour had not diminished! It was heartwarming.
Later that evening, I had the absolute pleasure of going to see an elegant show at the Savoy Theatre. There were lots of talented dancers – all twirling and leaping across the stage. It was incredible! They were showcasing stunning creations, dazzling colors, and shimmering beads - absolutely spectacular! Even the men had such a dashing elegance with sharp tailored suits and dazzling pocket watches. It really exemplified the sense of refinement and stylishness in the air, even in the midst of war.
That night, with my head full of exquisite memories of graceful performances, beautiful costumes, and breathtaking dance routines, I bid farewell to 1945 and boarded the time machine. As I tumbled through the temporal whirlwind, I was already eagerly planning my next adventure in the fascinating world of tutu history!
And to think this is all for the sake of making everyone understand why it’s the ultimate goal in my life: everyone must wear a pink tutu! But who am I to argue with perfection?
Until next time my dear tutus - stay fabulous!
Love always,
Emma
P.S. Have you got your tutu on for our upcoming Pink Tutu Challenge on Saturday? It's going to be a joy!