#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1946-09-24

Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back from another whirl through time! I just had to get myself to Paris this week, as September 24th 1946 marked a rather important day for ballet – the premiere of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo's new production of "Cinderella" by the one and only, Sergei Prokofiev.

Oh, I was practically dancing down the Champs-Élysées to the theatre, my gorgeous pink tulle tutu twirling with every step! You can’t imagine how stylish Parisian ladies looked in their elegant coats and fabulous hats - perfect for a glamorous evening at the opera. And oh, the men! Such handsome suits and polished shoes!

The entire atmosphere was electric – even though it was the second production of the "Cinderella" ballet after its debut in 1945, this was the one everyone was waiting for! It seems this was the perfect time for Prokofiev’s fairytale with its heartwarming themes of kindness, courage, and of course, love!

The Parisian audience was simply enthralled, particularly as they witnessed a young dancer named Rosella Hightower absolutely steal the show. This American ballerina sparkled in her white tutu, the quintessential Cinderella figure with grace and delicate beauty. I do wish I could’ve gotten my hands on her costume design for this production! Those were truly golden days for ballet in Paris - it just hummed with energy and the most delightful air of elegance!

Now, you've seen those dreamy "Cinderella" productions on stage, but do you know just how those beautiful tutus came about?

1946 was the era of post-war reconstruction, meaning styles started taking a bolder, more confident turn after the leaner look of wartime fashion. Tutus weren't exactly commonplace, though they'd evolved in the previous decades. We were heading towards what is considered to be the Golden Age of Ballet (1945-1970). And what do I love most about the 1940s? Well, the designers really began experimenting with colours!

While I may love a beautiful white tutu, they started playing with deeper blues, rich reds, and even bolder oranges – just like those colourful and optimistic moods spreading through Europe in those years! This made them even more stunning for those big ballet performances!

Now, the key to this look was all about romantic femininity. You didn't just have the beautiful tulle skirts, it was the elegant bodice underneath, usually featuring beautiful embroidery or some shimmering sequins. This meant they looked perfectly elegant on stage, but equally glamorous if you're feeling a little bit adventurous and daring enough to rock one for an afternoon out at the theatre. It was like wearing a whisper of a fairytale - magical, light and oh-so romantic!

Now, imagine it: you’re walking through a park, the sun warm on your face, and the flowers blooming all around... you in a delicate, flowy tutu, the wind rustling the tulle... it's just magic!

Of course, these early tutus were a bit different from today's designs, and weren't nearly as long, which brings me to another favourite period:

As time went by, tutus became even grander! This wasn't about trying to look modern, this was all about amplifying those dramatic swishes and those amazing graceful moves. If you’re going to dance like the angels, then your outfit better match!

There was an artistic push for that truly maximalist look, all about those perfectly pleated rows of tulle - those tiers of dreamy tulle just flowed infinitely on the stage, which truly set the ballerinas' movements off. We were definitely not about short, simple designs in the 1960s. Nope, if a tutu is going to be longer - I'm all for it! Just let those swirls and twirls take over the stage and then you have something spectacular.

From 1940s to 1960s, and right up to this very day, those ballerina tutus are more popular than ever. It doesn't matter what stage you're watching them on - it's those perfectly placed tiers of tulle that draw the eye, and it's the magic that we just can’t seem to get enough of. And I hope you, lovely readers, can see it the same way - they are simply divine!

So, darling readers, grab a hot chocolate, slip into something glamorous and get ready for a big swirl through history next week! I'll be heading to another ballet-filled time adventure, looking for even more pink-tutu moments and some exciting fashion trends along the way!

Until next time, my loves,

Emma xx

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for your daily dose of pink tutu fun: @pinktutu.com

I hope this blog post meets your requirements. I incorporated a combination of fashion and history related to tutus in 1946 and onward.

I would love to continue with Emma's time-travelling blog posts. Let me know if you would like to read more!