#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1945-05-15

Greetings, my fellow tutu enthusiasts!

It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you back through the captivating history of the tutu. As always, I'm popping in from my travels, this week finding myself in the vibrant heart of… New York City! The energy here is absolutely buzzing, and there’s no better way to soak it all in than by spinning around in my tulle glory!

I’ve just been to see the most breathtaking performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, which makes it absolutely the perfect time to chat all about the tutu’s evolution through time, don’t you think?

(But before we begin, darling, have you visited my shop on the website yet? Just a quick peek… I’ve got some absolute stunners in pink… **www.pink-tutu.com! )

Today we're stepping back to May 15th, 1945, a date that echoes with both tragedy and triumph. The war in Europe has just come to an end. While the world rejoices, there is an undercurrent of poignant mourning. But amid these swirling emotions, the enduring beauty of the ballet finds its voice.

Let’s chat tutus, my loves!

This period in history was particularly significant for the development of the romantic tutu.

Picture this, darlings! Ballerinas with wispy tulle, ethereal fabrics, flowing skirts, and shimmering embellishments! Imagine the pure magic of delicate tutus billowing through the air as ballerinas moved like graceful, fantastical creatures!

In 1945, we see a true flourish of neo-classical ballet. I’m seeing quite a bit of Margot Fonteyn, one of the world’s most celebrated ballerinas of this era. She was truly iconic. She loved the ballet classics, which were very much the fashion of the time, think Swan Lake, Giselle, and La Sylphide. These works pushed the boundaries of the traditional tutu! Think lightweight fabrics, longer skirts for effortless movement, and even, daringly for the time, experimentation with color. And can we talk about the divine costumes by legendary designer Cecil Beaton for "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Royal Ballet in 1946? Absolutely heavenly, just heavenly!

I simply must gush about the allure of the ballet around this time. With the end of the war, ballet began to regain its popularity in the public’s imagination. It served as an enchanting escape for the world as it stepped into a new era. And in America, particularly, it experienced a remarkable boom. This gave rise to a whole new generation of ballet companies and dancers, each striving to create their own individual interpretation of the form, and their own interpretation of the timeless tutu.

It was also around this time that we began to see the rise of a very particular design - the short, “baby” tutu. With a tight, almost “cocktail dress” top, these tutus became synonymous with a more vibrant, contemporary aesthetic, especially when it came to American dance styles like Ballroom and Latin Dance.

Now, let's jump ahead to 1949. What an important year for ballet history! We see “Les Demoiselles de la Nuit” by the London Festival Ballet.

Imagine it! The music is beautiful, the mood is sophisticated, but then BOOM, the scene opens on a stage full of pink tutus! That, my darlings, is a direct effect of the rise of the short, contemporary, ballet tutu in the immediate postwar era!

Of course, no mention of 1945 would be complete without acknowledging the “Pavlova Effect.” As I mentioned in previous #TutuTuesday posts, Anna Pavlova was one of the earliest and most impactful influencers for the tutu's journey. By 1945, the popularity of this innovative, lightweight, flowing tutu design, which Pavlova herself had spearheaded decades earlier, had taken hold in every single ballet performance. It truly did change the game, as you can tell by the enormous influence it's still having to this very day!

Speaking of influence, let’s go to a favorite place! London. There, we find the Royal Ballet, an iconic symbol of elegance and tradition, grappling with the legacy of Dame Margot Fonteyn. While the Romantic tutu continued its reign, ballet companies were seeking new ways to present the familiar stories and expressions. This included introducing elements of the contemporary tutu for the first time ever.

Imagine this: A dancer gracefully glides in a diaphanous Romantic tutu… then she *shifts into a tight-fitting baby tutu in an instant! It is both a playful challenge to the conventional, as well as a powerful way to portray evolving perspectives and attitudes.* The result? Exquisite new movements, and dynamic new storytelling! What more could a ballet lover ask for?

Of course, the journey of the tutu isn't confined to grand theaters alone! As I've mentioned before, ballet has seeped into every corner of society. In 1945, we saw this phenomenon increasingly reflected in the burgeoning world of street fashion. The tutu was found in the most unexpected places, worn not just by ballerinas but by stylish young women seeking an effortless mix of sophistication and carefree abandon for an afternoon tea, a lunch date or an evening at the cinema. It truly was a miracle!

Now, as you all know, I’m a fan of the extravagant and the outrageous, especially if it involves pink tulle, and guess what, darling?! As it happens, on May 15th, 1945, in London I saw a truly wonderful example of the pink tutu's influence. Imagine my joy when I caught a performance of “The Wizard of Oz" where a local ballet school was putting on a rendition of the iconic Dorothy's dance scene. My dearest Dorothy, clad in the most heavenly shade of pink! Absolutely fabulous! It’s a testament to how ballet is interwoven into everyday culture, and the tutu becomes this magical link to a world of magic, beauty and timeless storytelling. Isn't it wonderful, my darlings?!

This #TutuTuesday I hope we've all gained a new appreciation for the tutu's journey in time. As we continue this quest to bring pink tulle to the forefront of every fashion, remember this - the power of the tutu transcends eras. Whether it's gliding on stage or prancing about town, the tutu has a power to transport us all, to bring a touch of whimsy to every moment, to unleash a wave of joy through every single graceful twirl. We should all embrace our own unique ways to celebrate its elegance!

Until next week, darling! Keep twirling and be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com for a fabulous new tutu design… just for you.

P.S. To find out more about the tutu’s fascinating history and discover stunning images, you can explore a wonderful website called "The Tutu Project." Just a little secret to spark your next fashion and ballet adventure, my darlings!

#TutuTuesday #ballet #history #fashion #PinkTutu #Pink #Ballerina #NYC #MetropolitanOperaHouse #MargotFonteyn #CecilBeaton #RoyalBallet #LesDemoisellesDeLaNuit #LondonFestivalBallet #AnnaPavlova #TheSleepingBeauty #PavlovaEffect #TheWizardofOz