Oh, darling, you won't believe what a fabulously exciting adventure I've had this week! I've hopped in my time machine (my favourite comfy old carriage, with a little sprinkle of fairy dust, of course) and whisked myself back to 1945, the year we all lived in a whirlwind of change and glamour, in the glorious heart of London!
Now, London in 1945 was a city with a heart full of resilience and a spirit brimming with the hope of peace. The war had just ended, and although it was a time of hardship for many, people were also eager to celebrate and move on with their lives. This was, darling, a fantastic time to be a ballerina!
And what were we ballerinas sporting in 1945? You guessed it, tutus! Now, the tutus back then were a little bit different from the grand romantic tutu of today, all voluminous layers of tulle and frills. In 1945, it was all about simplicity and grace, a lean, sleek line made from silk and net. It wasn’t as extravagant as today’s tulle delights, but oh, my dears, the elegant line was just exquisite. Imagine, light as a feather, floating around on the stage with all the movement and drama. Now, that's what I call chic!
Speaking of drama, my dear readers, I simply had to go see a show at the Royal Opera House while I was there. Now, that place is pure magic. It felt like every grand ballet performance from my world had come to life before my very eyes. A vision of loveliness and graceful movements that took my breath away!
Now, what was the ballet performance I went to see? Well, you might not recognise it, as it was brand new - a brand new ballet! La Vie Parisienne, composed by the incredibly talented Jacques Offenbach. This charming and light-hearted ballet perfectly reflected the air of cautious celebration in post-war London. It was all swirling skirts, vibrant costumes, and delightful choreography. Oh, how we love to watch those legs leap and twirl, don't we?!
This time travel trip really gave me a chance to see the historical origins of tutu design for myself! What is so inspiring is seeing how a garment that is synonymous with ballet today evolved from these more practical beginnings, and became the glamorous statement piece we all know and love! And darling, do you know what else is a wonderful testament to the longevity of tutus? In a time when everything else seemed to be in flux, the tutus stayed the same - elegant, beautiful, and an unmistakable sign of graceful movements and timeless grace.
Speaking of grace, you might be surprised to learn that this was also a time of amazing fashion. Yes, wartime austerity meant there was limited access to fancy materials, but people found creative ways to express themselves. Clothes were made and remade with elegance and style! And how did people do this? By embracing the spirit of making do and making it beautiful, and letting creativity shine through. This is just so very much like the joy of embracing ballet in life, don't you think?
Of course, I couldn't go back in time without hitting the shops, my darling! Now, in London, one of the hottest places for ballet gear back then was the C.W. & S. J. Allen store, at 217 Strand. It was a bustling place! People were flocking to purchase tutus for dance classes, for recreational activities, and even just for their wardrobe, all while sporting their latest looks and embracing that beautiful combination of simple elegance and wartime resourcefulness. It was a magical time for shopping and dance and for everything about tutus!
Oh, this trip was just divine! So much history and glamour all rolled up into one. Don't forget, darling, I’ll be posting next week about the incredible tutus of the 1960s, so tune in then for a fabulously colourful time. But for now, keep those pink tutus twirling and that * joie de vivre * alive! I’m out there, dancing on a train journey, back to the present... I just can't get enough of my adventures! Until next time, darling.
Stay sparkly,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
