Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your pink tutu-loving time traveler, back for another #TutuTuesday adventure!
This week we're stepping back to March 5th, 1946, a day that marks an important turning point in ballet history, although, like all things in the ballet world, it’s subtle and shrouded in beautiful silk.
Imagine, if you will, a world of delicate tulle, carefully crafted layers, and the elegant sweep of a ballerina’s form. That’s the world of ballet in the 1940s, a world I find simply divine.
My latest trip saw me landing in London, England. I must admit, London is such a darling of a place, especially for a tutu lover like me. You’ll be seeing some London style inspiration in future posts!
But today, my dears, we're all about those ethereal tutus! Now, it's no secret that in the 1940s, the romantic ballet scene was truly blooming. The post-war era was bringing in a wave of artistry and a thirst for beauty and joy. And what says ‘joy' more than a flurry of pink tulle, wouldn’t you say?
On this particular day in 1946, a grand gala was taking place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. A glorious event filled with the sparkle of costume jewels, and, of course, tutus. This is a place where true magic happens! The London Royal Ballet, now known as the Royal Ballet, was in full swing. I simply must share some of the wonders I witnessed.
Think for a moment of a shimmering ballerina twirling effortlessly across the stage, wearing a beautiful costume and, oh, that delicate, yet majestic, tutu. In the heart of 1946, the ballet world was falling in love with the ‘Russian style’ tutu. Now, this isn't your ordinary tutus! This is the kind of tutu that truly showcases a ballerina's elegance and grace. The fabric was incredibly lightweight, making for some incredible leaps and extensions, and its shorter length truly highlights the legs.
There’s this romantic story circulating that the Russian style tutus made a comeback during this era after falling out of favour because of the war years and rationing. Perhaps it was a sense of escapism that spurred its popularity - and really, what could be more escapist than swirling layers of tulle?!
What Else Happened on March 5th, 1946?
While the ballet world was flourishing in London, the rest of the world was buzzing with news too! Imagine a world with no internet or social media, my dears! We were all reliant on the good old news reports.
On March 5th, 1946, Winston Churchill declared to the House of Commons that Britain was facing a "grave economic situation," something you might not find terribly exciting, I understand. However, think of it like this – this was a major shift towards recovery, signifying the return of hope.
In my world of ballet and twirling tutus, a return to prosperity means new opportunities. It means fresh creative energy in ballet schools, an upturn in the demand for dance costumes, and the joy of creating breathtaking performances. Think of the beautiful new costumes that would have been produced. That's what made my trip so special, I truly got a feel for this pivotal time in history!
I love watching the news stories about ballet dancing, because it truly was a global language. Back in 1946, there was news coming out of Argentina and Australia. Just seeing these news stories and images really lets me feel the power of ballet back in those days.
Oh, the fashion! I’ve picked up some fantastic pieces inspired by 1940s style that I'll be showcasing in upcoming posts, trust me, you won’t want to miss out!
Now, dear friends, let me tell you, the way I fund these little trips is something of a secret. Imagine, it’s all thanks to my ballet performances, and my extraordinary passion for collecting rare tutus! I mean, imagine if I couldn’t have all of these wonderful tutus in my collection? You can say that this tutu enthusiast has got her head in the clouds, and you'd be absolutely right! And, as we all know, a bit of magic can go a very long way, darling!
It’s hard to say exactly what will be happening in the ballet world in the coming years. It is hard to predict but it feels like change is just around the corner and something amazing will come out of it, I know it, darling! I shall certainly be around to share my discoveries with all of you.
So, darlings, keep your eyes on this blog space for all your pink-tutu needs. Make sure you wear your best pink tutu this week. Remember, there's nothing more charming and enchanting than twirling in a tutu. And who knows? Maybe you'll even inspire a new trend, too!
Until next week, my lovely friends! Keep twirling, and remember, we all have a bit of ballerina in us, even if it's only when we wear a pink tutu!
Warmly, Emma
P.S. I would absolutely love to hear from you! What's your favourite thing about tutus? And have you ever danced in one yourself? Let's get chatting in the comments below!
