Hello, darlings! Emma here, back with another whirlwind journey through ballet history, all from the comfort of my own pink tutu (it’s the new one with the added tulle ruffles, just picked it up from Harrods – so glamorous!). Today we’re heading back to September 9th, 1947! It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking about tutus, naturally!
Now, I can't talk about 1947 without mentioning that fabulous event happening right on this day: Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten. Can you imagine the tulle flowing and the twirling excitement?!
My, how times have changed, wouldn't you agree? 1947, dear readers, was a year of change. The war was finally over, and the world was slowly finding its rhythm again.
Tutus in the 40s: We’re starting to see a shift in tutu styles. While the Romantic tutu - think long, flowing layers of tulle - was still favoured, we’re beginning to see the early development of the tutu we know today. It's starting to become more fitted and more form-fitting, giving dancers even more freedom to really express themselves! It's like watching a flower bloom - a blossoming of grace!
Imagine those magical 40s tutus in all their glory! They're certainly not the pouffy and dramatic designs we see in the ballets today, but they held an ethereal beauty, and made the dancer’s movement a truly exquisite spectacle.
Now, fashion wasn’t all about ballet back in 1947! The New Look came in right after the war, all bold shoulders, cinched waists and dramatic full skirts, which reminds me - I'll have to look into vintage styles, perhaps for a new pink-tutu inspired collection, imagine a pink skirt with all the voluminousness of the 1947 era, just with the added touch of my signature style, perhaps some lace or some tulle?! I might need a trip to Paris for this inspiration… perhaps on a train, with a lovely big window so I can gaze out at the landscape – so chic!
Back to the ballerinas and their magnificent tutus: While the romantic tutu was still going strong, I’ve seen a new style beginning to emerge – the Tutu 'a la Francaise'!
You know what this style means for us dancers? It means even more twirls and leaps! The fitted waist allows us to really show off our artistry in motion. It’s about the fluidity of the movement, about the graceful curves, about capturing the essence of dance! Imagine the freedom - it was pure magic!
But enough about the styles, my lovelies! The real beauty of a tutu, from 1947 to the present day, is its symbolism. It's a symbol of dreams, of inspiration, and of grace. And what's more magical than the feeling of a tutu billowing around you as you twirl, feeling like a princess, ready to take flight?
And don’t forget, I need your input, my dear readers! What tutu moments from this time period have caught your eye? Let me know in the comments below!
Oh, and don't forget to tune in next Tuesday, when I'll be diving deeper into the fascinating world of ballet costumes from 1947! And who knows, maybe even a pink-tutu inspired creation or two to showcase my favourite colours and vintage finds. Until then, remember, the world looks brighter from inside a pink tutu!
Yours in tulle,
Emma xoxo
