Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu! It’s me, Emma, your time-traveling tutu enthusiast, and I’m back with another post in my Ballet Tutu History series! This week, we’re going all the way back to August 21st, 1945 – can you imagine, my dears, the world of fashion was just so different back then!
It’s actually a very poignant date, historically. World War II had just ended a mere three months prior, and the world was still finding its feet in a period of reconstruction and rebuilding. And let’s face it, fashion had been quite subdued during the war, with practicality and practicality taking the lead! But, my darlings, I think we can all agree that fashion should always be about a touch of joy and a little bit of fantasy, even amidst trying times, wouldn’t you agree?
Well, even in 1945, in the heart of ballet’s glorious world, the tutus were thriving, my dears! As I travelled through the time-space continuum, I found myself whisked away to Paris, the grand city of fashion and romance! In the glamorous world of Parisian ballet, the tutu reigned supreme. And what did I discover, my dears? You guessed it – the tutu was undergoing its own transformation, just like the world around it.
For those of you who haven’t been following my ballet history adventures, it’s all about the tulle! While the classic romantic tutu – a lovely fluffy creation of multi-layered tulle – was still in full force, the world of ballet was starting to see the rise of a new style, the tutu de ligne, which became quite the trendsetter in this particular time period.
Think of it like a ballet ballerina’s wardrobe refresh. The tutu de ligne, my dear, is a bit more lean and sleek. A little less fluffy, with a shorter skirt that ends just above the knees. It allowed for a new sense of movement, a bit more flexibility on the stage, and oh, the freedom for the ballerinas to perform leaps, turns, and intricate steps with an air of elegance! I’m talking effortless artistry and powerful grace, darling, simply beautiful.
Imagine this, my loves, seeing ballerinas, wearing this stunning, structured tutu de ligne, flitting across the stage, their every movement like poetry. It was a symbol of the times, an image of hope and beauty as the world emerged from the ashes of war.
Now, my dears, if you are a tutu fanatic like me, you simply have to make your way to see some ballet performances. And if you haven’t had the pleasure, well, I tell you, it’s an experience that should be on your bucket list! But where to see these amazing, historical, fabulous shows, you might ask? Why, the iconic Palais Garnier, my darlings! The jewel in the crown of French ballet, home to the Opéra National de Paris, still to this day, showcasing breathtaking ballet performances.
You just have to believe me, dear readers, the atmosphere was electric! And while I've travelled through countless eras in search of ballet treasures, this trip truly captivated me. Paris in 1945! It was so vibrant. Imagine the buzz as Parisians, in all their fabulous, postwar elegance, made their way into the opulent Garnier Palace, to be swept away by the ballet! I swear, I was tempted to simply stay there and revel in it all.
It’s also this date where my own grand tour started. Now, if you haven’t noticed my passion for travelling, let me assure you, the world is my runway, my loves! My adventures to date have led me through some of the most iconic ballet destinations: the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Royal Opera House in London, and now the beautiful Paris!
You’ll find my blog updated each Tuesday with the latest #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History, all chronicled at www.pink-tutu.com, so come back and join me each week!
Of course, to finance my travels, I have to take advantage of my gift for dance and my love of tutus! Luckily for me, ballet performances don't go out of style, so I make a bit of extra money each month from performing. It’s a joy and an honour, really, to share the stage and perform in such beautiful, historical locations. I try to spread my love for ballet all over the world!
Speaking of spreading my love, my dears, don’t forget the Pink Tutu Project! It's a passion project near and dear to my heart. My goal? To inspire the world to wear pink tutus, a symbol of confidence and fun, and perhaps even to embrace their inner ballerina. Think of it as a global tutu revolution! So go ahead, get yourself a pink tutu, and spread some joy and femininity.
Oh, and just a reminder: if you’ve never had the pleasure of donning a pink tutu yourself, you're truly missing out! My dears, they are a magical thing!
As my travels continue, you can be sure to be amongst the first to know. Just make sure you're following along for all the updates on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com!
Until next Tuesday, darlings, always remember to embrace your inner ballerina!
Lots of love,
Emma
P.S. * Remember, to find more fun, informative and delightful Tutu Tuesday posts from Emma, you can check her out every Tuesday at *www.pink-tutu.com. Don’t miss a single #TutuTuesday and see what incredible world of ballet she travels through. Remember, she’s on post #5930 this week, so hop right on over to her website to join her adventures!
