Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away on another adventure through the glorious history of the tutu! This week, we’re hopping aboard the express train to the past – hold onto your bonnets, it's going to be a whirlwind ride!
It's June 12th, 1945. The war in Europe has just ended, and the world is taking a deep breath, catching its breath, ready to celebrate and start anew. And where better to find that joy than at the ballet?
Oh, you think I’m mad, do you? I don't mean the grand, stately ballets of yore. No, no. This week, we’re delving into a different type of tutu altogether: the one worn by the women who graced the streets, not the stage!
For this week’s #TutuTuesday, we’re diving headfirst into the tutu-inspired fashions that danced their way onto the streets after the war!
The "New Look" Takes the Stage:
Imagine this: You’ve endured years of rationing and drab fabrics. The war is over, and everyone is craving colour, glamour, and a little bit of that 'joie de vivre’! Christian Dior, a brilliant designer with a vision, answered the call.
Dior’s revolutionary “New Look” silhouette emerged, taking its cue from, wait for it... you guessed it, the ballet tutu! Yes, the bell-shaped skirt, nipped waist, and full, flowing skirt became the ultimate symbol of femininity and a celebratory defiance against wartime restrictions.
Think full skirts with voluminous petticoats – a celebration of all things voluminous and chic. They gave the ladies a new-found sense of freedom, flair, and confidence, allowing them to pirouette with a newfound style on the streets of Paris and London, and eventually the world.
But, darling, the question is: Were those New Look skirts actually tutu-like?
Well, in a sense, they most certainly were!
Imagine a tutu transformed for everyday wear, not the rigid construction of a stage tutu, but with that playful sense of movement, the billowing, flowing grace – that’s what the “New Look” achieved.
Now, we wouldn't be a true ballet history enthusiast without a visit to the actual birthplace of the tutu – the home of the ballerinas, London, of course!
London in a Tutu: A Dance of Change:
Step back in time with me! Picture yourself strolling down London's Oxford Street, buzzing with activity, department stores aglow with post-war excitement. Imagine ladies with their skirts swishing about, reminiscent of a ballerina’s choreographed grace. They were all twirling, and not just on the dance floor.
Let’s not forget the fashion houses that followed Dior’s lead! Balenciaga, Fath, Lanvin – they all embraced the "tutu-ification" of fashion.
Now, these New Look outfits were definitely more "boudoir than boulevard". They weren't practical for the bus or a quick dash to the grocer! (Well, maybe if you had a maid to carry your groceries…)
Tutu Time on the Runway:
This year in London’s West End, I went to see a fashion show and a few designs gave me a true glimpse of that post-war elegance! It reminded me of those times when, on stage and in the streets, the tutu really held centre stage! It’s remarkable how the dance world impacts our fashion sense, eh?
How can we make today #TutuTuesday?
You know I'm a big fan of tutus – it's a daily ritual! It doesn’t have to be a fancy performance tutu. A pink netted skirt, layered up with frills, a swirling cotton number – it's all about capturing that fun, graceful movement and attitude. Let’s make this the era of “every-day-tutu”! I'm not asking you to go full-on ballet at the supermarket (though I’d love it!) just add a little tutu charm to your wardrobe and enjoy that freedom to move and twirl, a testament to the "New Look" that revolutionized fashion, bringing the essence of the tutu to the streets.
Oh, and let's not forget what's on this special date in history:
The world celebrates the ending of World War II on this day. The Allies defeated the Axis Powers in a war that changed the world as we knew it.
Think of all the ballerina-esque dresses, and skirts dancing on the streets as people celebrated – a hopeful waltz of joy and triumph after a tumultuous period.
It’s just proof, again, how this magnificent little garment – the tutu - has truly danced its way into our hearts and wardrobes. I'm off to my London ballet class now. And darling, remember, keep twirling!
Your ever-fashionable friend,
Emma
Don't forget to check out our new "Pink Tutu Boutique" on the website for a peek at some absolutely adorable tutu-inspired fashion picks!
Until next week, keep those tutus spinning!
