Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, time-travelling fashionista, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday! Today we're taking a trip down memory lane, to April 20th, 1948! Can you imagine? The world was a very different place then - but one thing stayed the same - the magic of the ballet!
So buckle up, lovelies, it's time for a whirlwind tour of what the ballet world was up to on this date! And of course, we're going to talk about the most important thing - TUTUS!
This week, I'm channeling my inner vintage diva. It's just so much fun to slip into a beautifully aged tulle and let my imagination soar. Speaking of which, imagine for a moment being a ballerina back in 1948, preparing for a performance. Now that's a blast from the past!
A World of Romantic Ballet
In 1948, romantic ballet was in its prime, think flowing lines, delicate steps, and yes, absolutely beautiful tutus! The romantic period of ballet brought us those long, graceful skirts, so perfect for twirling and dancing, creating that ethereal look. They werenât the bright, fluffy tutus we know and love today though. Imagine tutus in beautiful pastels like blush pink and lavender - so dreamy! They added this gorgeous feminine feel to the entire stage, with swirling movements in a haze of silk and tulle.
On April 20th 1948, there was a performance of 'Swan Lake', by the legendary Royal Ballet at Londonâs Royal Opera House. Imagine the spectacle! Can you just imagine the thrill in the air as the iconic âWhite Swanâ danced gracefully in her delicate, tulle tutu? Such elegance and emotion on stage! The tutus, like little clouds, floated and shimmered, catching the stage lights and bringing a timeless beauty to every movement.
Let's Talk Tutus!
In the world of ballet, the tutus were still in their early evolution in 1948, so while they were gorgeous and graceful, the styles were slightly different from what we see today. Imagine those elegant, longer skirts, cascading from the waist, sometimes creating that bell shape - just divine.
The Evolution of the Tutu
But what happened after 1948, you ask? Letâs travel forward a little in time...The 1950s saw a change, with the rise of the âclassical tutuâ - much shorter, and emphasizing those wonderful beautiful leg lines and elegant lines. It was like a ballerina was given the power of flight.
The 1960s then brought about the even more exciting development of the âboulevard tutuâ - those very short skirts - perfect for the more dynamic moves, showing off the athleticism of the ballet. I have to admit, those ones are a bit too short for me - Iâm a bit of a traditionalist in this area!
And in the 1970s came the âmodern tutu,â for ballet and street dance, inspired by those street fashions and styles. Now we can twirl with comfort in jeans and sneakers, which can be seen in ballet styles such as 'balletcore' that mixes ballerina style and street style.
But of course, we mustnât forget the classical, elegant tutus, for those grand ballets such as âSwan Lakeâ, âSleeping Beautyâ and âGiselleâ. And even those modern styles, are all rooted in the glorious, historical world of ballet, those inspiring dances of grace, power, and beauty.
Letâs Embrace the Pink Tutu!
Here's a fun idea: this #TutuTuesday, why not have your own 1948 ballet party! Find some lovely tulle fabric and get crafty with your friends. A bit of pink, lavender, or even white tulle and youâre good to go! Throw on a vintage dress, play some 1948 hits - or perhaps even a ballet record - and enjoy a little afternoon of tea, scones and ballet fun! Donât forget your pink tutu, darlings! It's all about embracing those beautiful traditions while adding a little modern twist, and that means PINK!
Speaking of pink, I'm off to my favourite vintage clothing shop! It's always so exciting to find beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces from years past, particularly old tutus. I can always find the most gorgeous fabrics in blush, lilac, and peach! Itâs a real treasure trove! You can follow my ballet travels on my socials, darling! I post stories and my own dance moves every single day! It's all about embracing your inner ballerina, one sparkly pink tutu at a time.
Now, back to our 1948 escapade, what was else happening in this incredible year, you ask? Well, on April 20th, 1948, the first-ever âWorld Health Dayâ was celebrated - so exciting!
And the incredible Jackie Gleason debuted his amazing variety show on the âDuMont Television Networkâ. Just imagine! It's like stepping into a world straight out of a vintage film, isnât it? The 1940s were a truly unique and exciting time - just imagine all those new adventures in music, art, and film happening around the world.
Until next #TutuTuesday my dears! Let's twirl together in the most beautiful of fabrics, and always remember, wear that pink tutu with pride and joy!
Emma xoxo
