Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back in time with another #TutuTuesday blog post! I'm thrilled to be writing to you all from the heart of ballet itself – oh, the magic! But I must tell you, getting here wasn't quite as simple as hopping on the London Underground. This week, I took a gloriously scenic train journey across the English countryside – nothing beats the feeling of the wind whipping through my hair as the carriages sway! Speaking of travel, wouldn't you just love to travel in time? I certainly do! Just imagine - you could go and see the stunning ballet productions from decades gone by!
Oh, the stories these tutus could tell! Today, my dear tutu-lovers, I’m whisking us back to 1st May 1945, a momentous year in history. Can you believe it's been just under 80 years since World War II ended? Such a momentous occasion. You'll be thrilled to hear, though, that the world of ballet continued to flourish even in the midst of war!
Now, let’s talk tutus! Can you imagine a world without those magical, flowing pieces of tulle? The sheer elegance of a ballerina’s movements in a classic pink tutu… it simply takes my breath away!
In 1945, ballet was just starting to explode in popularity and the iconic tutu design as we know it was reaching a peak. There were, of course, no social media platforms for the ballerinas to share their outfits! (I would have loved to have been around to see them!). They used newspapers and magazines for a sneak peek into what they might wear or had seen, but, nothing quite compares to Instagram for quick inspiration. The iconic look back then involved an emphasis on delicate craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.
So, you can just picture this! The stage is bathed in warm light. A single ballerina stands in the centre, radiating beauty and grace, twirling gracefully in a perfectly-crafted tutu. Each detail from the painstakingly constructed layers to the shimmering tulle, all came together in a spectacular visual ballet display. What a treat it would have been!
And what a time for dance! After all the hardship that had happened during the war, it's lovely to imagine audiences flocking to see the magnificent talent of ballerinas – and to forget, even for a little while, the terrible hardships of those times.
One of the most iconic ballerinas during this era, was the legendary Margot Fonteyn, renowned for her exceptional technique and expressiveness. Her iconic movements became so recognizable they were imitated all around the world! Just think – she would have been on stage that night in 1945, telling beautiful stories with her dance, captivating audiences and inspiring the next generation of ballerinas.
Oh, and the costumes! If there's one thing that gets me excited about history, it's the fashion. Remember, I adore all things vintage and glamorous – it's so inspiring! The 1940s was an era defined by wartime constraints and elegance in equal measure, leading to stunning simplicity. Can you imagine having to choose your outfits when fabric was a valuable resource? It’s like being part of a massive creative challenge! But imagine how sophisticated the dresses must have been - so glamorous. This sense of sophisticated elegance shines through in ballet tutus of that period too!
As we move forward from the war and toward the vibrant dance scenes of the coming decades, it’s worth remembering the strength and resilience of ballerinas in 1945. They carried on with their artistry, captivating audiences even during difficult times, bringing hope, and magic with every pirouette and jeté. They used dance as their language - as their platform, spreading beauty and wonder at a time when people needed it most.
What an era! We’ve seen the incredible stories of ballerina legends, discovered the history of the elegant and stylish tutus worn on stage, and celebrated the lasting influence of 1945's captivating art. This #TutuTuesday has brought you on an inspiring journey to learn how much impact ballet has made – and still continues to make - on the world today!
I'll see you next Tuesday for another exciting journey through ballet's fascinating history. Don’t forget to browse through my www.pink-tutu.com website to catch up with my latest #TutuTuesday blog posts – each one offers a peek into another fabulous decade and tells a little tale of tutu-fashion through the ages. Until next time, happy twirling and be sure to put on your pink tutu! Remember, you can’t be too sparkly!
Emma
P.S. I'm off to a show tomorrow at the Royal Opera House, so, it goes without saying that I’ll be wearing my prettiest pink tutu for the occasion, and hopefully there will be plenty of ballet fashion inspiration for next week's #TutuTuesday! Don't forget, share your favorite pink tutu with me using the hashtag #TutuTuesday on Instagram, and let's spread a little tutu magic around the world! It’s time for you to wear a tutu – don't be shy. And if you're feeling really bold, let’s see that pink tutu! 😉
