Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutu! Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a little journey back in time, all the way to May 29th, 1945.
Can you imagine? It’s only been 78 years ago!
The war is finally over, and Europe is breathing a collective sigh of relief. The world is getting ready for a new era of hope and a new kind of glamour, just like you’d find in the pages of Vogue!
And what better place to experience that newfound joy and vibrancy than the ballets of the time?
Today, let's delve into the world of the tutu in the immediate aftermath of World War II, a time of change and hope. It's all about that iconic silhouette, how it reflected the spirit of the times, and how it continued to evolve for those fabulous ballet dancers.
Now, as usual, I like to get my blog posts going with a splash of my favourite colour – pink! So, I think I’ll grab a quick look at a gorgeous ballet show in New York, to give us an idea of what was going on in this vibrant, and soon-to-be-famous, world of ballet!
Fashion and Dance in a Pink and Sparkling New World
New York is in a whirl! The excitement is palpable and everyone seems to be bursting with excitement, just like a packed theatre bursting with life after a show finishes. In this period of global change, people feel it is time to celebrate and, for sure, the ballerinas are doing just that with new dance creations bursting with new moves and colours.
Did you know, darling, that New York in 1945 saw a whole host of exciting ballets and companies springing up? One of the highlights for a tutu enthusiast like myself is the debut of a beautiful and sparkling new company called “The American Ballet Theatre!” They even featured Carmen with Maria Tallchief as the Spanish Gypsy! She danced the title role. You know she was fabulous, because I heard the reviews from that night – and she was absolutely sensationally well-received in the gorgeous tutu designed especially for her! I can practically feel that swish of her silk skirt and hear the squelch of the shoes on the floor now – oh the sheer artistry and elegance of it all!
But darling, even when we're deep in the throes of glamour, and we're talking Paris in 1946 and the arrival of “Les Ballets de Paris de Roland Petit", or the return of ballet legend Serge Diaghilev to London to create some dazzling tutus (as well as costumes!) for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet ( now the Royal Ballet).
I must say, a good ballet in London after a delicious cream tea – is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
*Back to Ballet history… *
Even if fashion is absolutely dazzling, what’s truly remarkable, is the evolution of the ballet tutu and it is always what captures my eye! Just thinking about those sparkly fabrics, oh it just makes my head spin – how amazing is the ingenuity and craftsmanship of those who created such beauty!
Let’s explore this history of the tutu for a little, and remember darling – as with most fashion trends and evolution - what happens in the tutu world, involves some fantastic creative genius!
Back in 1830 the ballerina Marie Taglioni literally started it all - she brought the tutu to life with a brand-new and modern style for ballerinas – a very lightweight, short skirt and a skirt designed to give full freedom of movement, and you can’t deny how liberating it was to see the ballerinas able to truly express their artistry through movement and not be encumbered by an overblown costume. And now - let’s see how we evolved over time, my dears…
* The Romantics & The Bell-Shaped Tutu*
So, in 1945 and those first few years post-war, ballet had come on in leaps and bounds! The ballerina tutu in this period had its roots from what was called the "Romantic period," (around 1830-1870). Think a full and flowy skirt (but, importantly not at all heavy!), a longer bell-shaped skirt that could be made with tulle, cotton gauze, or even lace.
The emphasis, back in that Romantic era and into the early 20th century, was very much about a sense of lightness, ethereal and with a very feminine style. Ballet became an exciting world for women to take on as a new kind of career, and these delicate tulle skirts, they seemed to perfectly express how women wanted to see themselves!
Remember the stories, about all those romantic ballerinas in beautiful tulle skirts – oh, they captured a heart – as well as some fabulous dance moves - as they did some dazzling jumps!
The Tutus in 1945 - The Dawn of a New Era
From about 1945 onward, and a few decades afterwards, things changed even more - this really was an age for new creativity. I call it the 'Fabulous Fifties'!
The ballet tutu design and colour evolved further, reflecting this energy for the modern world. Designers and choreographers (and the dancers) loved experimenting, just like you might see a new fashion show in the window of a very up-to-date boutique. The ballet skirts moved even closer to our current ‘more revealing’ style ( think classic tutu, so-called! The length could get shorter, there were more sparkly trimmings and fabrics, and a little touch of glamour. Oh my! And if the dancers weren't wearing those glorious coloured tutus in red, green and yellow ( you could practically see the whole ballet audience gasp with glee!) and that’s what really put the 'wow' into the 1950s. That's when we began to see different coloured tutus as well, not just in the classic white, as a really exciting development for the history of ballet.
Let me tell you darling, when I first went to Paris in 1947 for the debut of “Le Concert” – oh! the tutu style! It was simply the pinnacle – a flawless, exquisite design of soft white tulle with delicate, sparkling ribbons. You can feel the gracefulness of the dancer in these lovely skirts, the sense of effortless beauty. But I must confess, that there is also something to be said for the glamour of those later styles, like the classic pink tutu that is now a timeless and well-loved icon, that’s still so in style today!
The Dance Goes On!
Today's Tutu Tuesday has been a fabulous whirl through ballet's past. I really think that the 1940s was such a special era for the ballet, both in style and spirit, and the tutus had some of their finest moments in that era!
Well, my darling Tutu Twirlers, I must bid you adieu! Keep that spirit of ballet and a pink tutu in your hearts! And never forget, life is too short for boring skirts! So embrace that wonderful inner sparkle!
I'll be back next Tuesday, as always, for another dose of tutu-ful history and the joy of ballet, in that same pink dress I wear every Tuesday, in fact, and that fabulous tutu – but I just couldn’t possibly choose from which of my lovely collection of tutu styles… they’re all so darling.
Until next time, keep twirling and dreaming of all the amazing things that pink tutus can bring you! And, remember my lovelies, always have a happy dance in your hearts!
Lots of Tutu-licious love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Don't forget to share your favourite memories and thoughts of this post in the comments!
PS. Don't forget that the world is truly a lovely ballet, with fabulous stories unfolding all around us, like a wonderful ballerina performance! And, we must always remember that *pink tutus make the world a much prettier place, too! * And if you are feeling extra pink, perhaps grab one of your own lovely pink tutus and twirl through the afternoon sunshine - you might find that it turns into an extra fabulous Tuesday!
