Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, bringing you another installment of #TutuTuesday: a journey through the fascinating world of ballet's most iconic garment. This week, we're stepping back in time to 8th July 1947 ā a day ripe with the post-war optimism that swept the globe.
Now, while the world was busy rebuilding after the tumult of the Second World War, the world of ballet was bursting with fresh creativity and a renewed sense of beauty. The dance scene was absolutely thriving!
Let's start with the epicentre of ballet ā Paris! Ah, the city of love! The Paris Opera Ballet was busy rehearsing for the opening of a new production of La Sylphide, a classic tale of ethereal romance. Imagine the fluttering tulle and the graceful steps in the grand Palais Garnier! It was a truly breathtaking sight. And as weāre all about pink tutus here, the ballerina dancing the lead, Margot Fonteyn, was known for her delicate and oh-so-feminine approach, absolutely made for the graceful pink tutus.
Speaking of tutus, it was around this time that the ātutu de jourā became wildly popular! This particular design, a beautiful and airy layered creation of white or pink tulle, was the must-have look. Think floating, dreamlike silhouettes, swirling around the stage like a ballet-inspired cloud ā truly a beautiful, light-hearted post-war choice for ballerinas who longed for joy and beauty after the dark years of conflict.
In London, things were equally bustling. The Royal Ballet, with its esteemed dancers like Frederick Ashton and the legendary Margot Fonteyn herself (see, a double dose of tutus this week!), were staging enchanting ballets, showcasing those magnificent pink tutu-clad dancers. Iām already dreaming of visiting London and catching one of their performances! Canāt you just picture the incredible atmosphere?
But let's not forget the other ballet-related highlights of this very special date in 1947:
The London Philharmonic Orchestra gave a spectacular concert featuring Tchaikovskyās Swan Lake. Just imagine the graceful swans (with their perfectly pink tutus!) gliding across the stage to that iconic score! I imagine the sheer delight of the audience, caught in the captivating world of ballet!
A new ballet company, The Ballet Rambert (still a prominent name today!), launched its debut. They performed The Triumph of Neptune, which incorporated bold costumes and daring choreographies ā definitely a contrast to those classic tutu designs we saw earlier. Still, the essence of graceful dance, and the joy of performance, were front and centre!
Now, since Iām all about getting everyone on board with the pink tutu, it wasnāt just on the grand stage that this iconic ballet garment made a splash on the 8th July, 1947:
- Across the Channel, in Rome (imagine that: Roman history intertwined with our beloved ballet!) a grand exhibition on the life and work of Anna Pavlova, a legend of ballet known for her dazzling elegance and beautiful performances in white tutus! It sparked an intense passion for ballet among the Italian people. Canāt you imagine those glorious performances, those dazzling gownsā¦ so very close to our beloved tutus, right?!
So, it wasnāt just all about performances and choreographies on 8th July 1947 ā tutu trends were also blossoming:
- The first fashion magazines dedicated specifically to ballet launched! This gave birth to āthe ballet lookā outside the performance world ā and gave rise to a whole wave of ballerina-inspired fashion, and with it, more and more reasons for pink tutus! Imagine those delicate pink designs ā tulle swirling with feminine charm!
And then, thereās the must-have item, still adored by girls everywhere:
- The first edition of a very special childrenās book about a ballet slipper, āThe Littlest Ballerinaā by the American writer, Barbara Austin. Imagine a whole generation of young girls captivated by the stories and visuals of the world of ballet ā and dreaming of a time when they could twirl themselves in gorgeous tutus on the stage!
It was a time of change, renewal, and the powerful magic of dance. And the tutu, that lovely emblem of graceful femininity, was absolutely at the forefront of it all.
Now, I need to sign off and get ready for my own ballet class (the best way to end a Tutu Tuesday, in my opinion!). But before I go, let's share our own love for the tutu ā leave me a comment with your favourite memory or photo featuring a tutu! And donāt forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for the latest news on the ballet world, fashion inspiration and all things pink!
Until next Tuesday, stay stylish and twirl on!
Emma Xx
