Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme and every Tuesday is a celebration of ballet history.
This week we're going back to the glorious year of 1946, a year teeming with post-war hope, blooming fashion, and, of course, ballet! Today marks #TutuTuesday post number 5990 on my little website, www.pink-tutu.com, and I'm feeling utterly inspired by the swirling tutus and dazzling dancers of this incredible era!
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, why are we going back to 1946? What was so special about tutus back then?". Well, my dears, it was a time of transition, a beautiful blend of tradition and evolution in the world of ballet! Think romantic tutus with flowing, airy layers, elegant, streamlined silhouettes that echoed the feeling of liberation and a new dawn for fashion. It was also the era of the legendary Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, an enchanting company that brought a touch of fairytale magic to stages around the world!
As I stepped out of my time machine, dressed in a perfectly pink tutu - pink being the colour that best captures the essence of this year! I was immediately struck by the charming street fashion - think floral prints, cinched waists and elegant shoes with stylish heels! Such graceful lines echoed in the way ballerinas were starting to use their tutus to tell stories through movement - less of the rigidly perfect formations of old and more fluid, expressive grace. It felt like a dance, my darling, a dance between the old and the new, the classic and the modern, all within the gentle sway of a ballet tutu!
My journey began in London, where the ballet scene was blooming. The Royal Opera House was buzzing with excitement for the premiere of "The Sleeping Beauty," choreographed by Frederick Ashton! Imagine, the breathtaking romance of the ballet paired with those dreamy, soft, almost ethereal tutus that swirled and twirled like magic on the stage. It was truly a spectacle, leaving a pink-hued glow on my heart!
I was especially excited about seeing the dancers perform in the traditional Russian style. Remember those magnificent Russian ballerinas with their impossibly graceful movements and the flowing skirts of their tutus? Now, those skirts were still a sight to behold! In 1946, they were still made from many layers of fine tulle and lace, but they felt lighter, more ethereal, more… modern. They allowed the dancers to express themselves more fully. The movement, oh the movement was exquisite!
However, my travels didn’t end in London. As I boarded a vintage train - my heart always filled with delight when I see a well-dressed carriage on the railways! - I headed to Paris, where fashion was the queen bee of the moment! Christian Dior was just starting his reign, creating the "New Look" that defined the post-war fashion landscape. Did you know that Dior actually drew inspiration from ballet for his designs? You see the connections! The fluidity of lines, the graceful emphasis on the female form, the focus on femininity… It all came together beautifully in those iconic Dior dresses that made history!
So, you can see why this was a very special time for tutus. They were starting to break away from the classical "ballet" style and were becoming a real part of modern fashion - think tulle, silk and velvet, beautifully paired with graceful flowing dresses and skirts, and elegant, high heels.
And it's not just on the stage that tutus were making waves, my darlings. Ballet was a symbol of elegance and femininity. And, for my dear little dancers who love the Ballet Street movement (how I adore those street ballet videos), it was a form of freedom - a freedom of movement and expression. And those beautiful, flowing tutus were the perfect way to channel that freedom!
But I wouldn’t be a true pink-tutu blogger without finding a lovely, girly fashion item to inspire us today. So, take a look at this lovely photo! You'll find an exquisite, pale pink tutu dress, beautifully adorned with pearl embellishments, designed to give you that graceful ballerina vibe wherever you go. Remember, you don’t have to be on stage to embrace the ballerina aesthetic! Embrace your own personal style, embrace your inner dancer, and don’t forget to twirl your way through life - maybe even wear a tutu every Tuesday as we honour these glorious fashion days.
For those of you interested in a piece of history that is also timeless, think of getting a traditional Russian ballet costume - or better still, a fabulous tutu that pays homage to this specific year! These days it's not just on stage you can enjoy your favourite pink outfit, with ballerina looks being trendy across the world! I particularly adore it styled with sneakers for a street dance look, or even a nice skirt, which could match with your tutu top, and an elegant pair of heels - just to stay true to the post-war 1940's! We have an abundance of tutus available on our website, and we always add more to the store, but it is a special day, so we might even add more special items this week for our wonderful #TutuTuesday.
Well, that’s it from my pink-tutu time travelling escapades! Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to discover the incredible world of ballet history, fashion and a pink-tastic celebration of all things girly!
Happy twirling!
Love,
Emma 💖 tutu lover and time traveller!
