Hello darlings!
It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind tour through the glamorous history of tutus. This week we're waltzing back to a time when fashion was full of wartime elegance and grace, and the ballet world was abuzz with exciting new talent. So, gather 'round, my tutu-loving friends, as we delve into the enchanting world of ballet in May 1947.
Now, if you're anything like me, you can't resist a trip on the train, especially if it's a vintage one! My trusty carriage whisked me back to the vibrant streets of London, buzzing with life after the war. It's no surprise that London is at the centre of it all when it comes to ballet, much like a magnificent stage at the heart of the show. You'll find some of the best productions and fashion, too, right here.
Speaking of fashion, I absolutely love the silhouettes of the 1940s! So sleek, elegant, and perfectly suited to showcasing a dancer's lines and movements. It's a far cry from the lavish Victorian era, where ballerinas were weighed down by cumbersome costumes. The shift to lighter materials allowed them to really take flight, just like the tutu I'm sporting this week!
Speaking of tutus, it's interesting how this piece of costume, which holds such importance in ballet today, was still developing. Yes, we're familiar with the shorter, more dramatic tutus with their layers of tulle and netting, the Romantic tutus, that swept through the 19th Century, but in the 1940s, ballet was embracing a more streamlined and sleek silhouette, thanks to new fabrics like synthetic nylon. Think classic and graceful, a perfect compliment to the "petit tutu", which we all love to see in class, which was already coming into its own as a performance outfit.
This was also the time when ballet legends like Margot Fonteyn were shining on the stage. Imagine seeing such a ballerina up close! Her skill and grace captured the heart of the nation. Speaking of legends, I'd love to find out who she was inspired by for this ballet season's dress designs! So many dancers today credit her as a key figure for the beauty of ballet's costumes.
So what's a fashionable tutu-lover to do on May 27th, 1947? Why, catch a show, of course!
You'd be forgiven for wanting to see The Sadler's Wells Ballet perform at the Royal Opera House. This legendary company, known for its artistic excellence and dramatic performances, had just returned to its home after being dispersed for five long years due to World War II. What a cause for celebration! To think that ballet was not allowed to exist for that long... unthinkable, isn't it?
The highlight of the week was likely a performance of "The Sleeping Beauty," with Fonteyn dazzling as Princess Aurora. That would be a spectacle worth seeing, wouldn't it? The music would sweep you away into the magical story, and Fonteyn would move with an elegance that would leave you spellbound! I bet it was enough to inspire you to get on your pointes and have a go!
For a fashionable flair, you could wander around the streets of London's Mayfair, where the elite would have gathered. You could imagine finding the latest fashion, just like those ladies who set the trends. I would definitely go and find the finest fabric shops. What fabrics were in fashion this year, do you think? They might have inspired the costumes for The Sleeping Beauty, perhaps?
One thing I must point out about the 1940s is that a beautiful, fitted ballet dress was an essential piece in the wardrobe of every woman.
I find it fascinating that while the world was recovering from the devastation of war, ballet was there to bring light and joy. Its power to uplift and inspire, to transport us to another world, truly resonates with me. It's not just about the dancing and the tutus, although, let's be honest, we love those too! It's about the power of creativity and imagination to transcend any hardship and to remind us of beauty, both in ourselves and in the world around us.
That's all for this week, darlings! Remember, everyone looks fabulous in a pink tutu! Until next Tuesday, keep dancing!
Lots of love,
Emma
#TutuTuesday
www.pink-tutu.com
