Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-loving time traveller and aficionado of all things ballet. Welcome to another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday where we journey through the glorious history of the iconic tutu. Today, we're taking a delightful trip back to 11th May 1948, a date etched in history not just for the changing world, but for the enchanting world of ballet!
Remember that magnificent pink tulle I wore to my last performance in Vienna? I must confess, it wasn't exactly historically accurate. While it would be heavenly to step into a perfectly crafted costume from this period, sadly my little time travel machine is rather more whimsical than practical! (Don't worry, I’m saving for upgrades. My dream is a travelling tutu shop! Perhaps a charming tea-room with a ballet-themed afternoon tea...!)
However, I can tell you about the fantastic ballet costumes of 11th May 1948!
Picture this, dear reader, the iconic Giselle being performed in London at the Royal Opera House (though, not a 'house' in the modern sense, darling! Back then it was a magnificent Theatre, where we can still see the beautiful Giselle today! This beautiful ballet is actually how I came to be in London in the first place, thanks to a very lucky and timely audition.)
Now, if we’re going back in time, it's all about romance and fairytale with costumes being as airy and graceful as the dancing itself.
Imagine the ballerinas: their billowing white tutus, meticulously layered, with tiny, twinkling embellishments that would catch the light of the gas lamps just so. The bodice is sleek, usually made from a material like silk or satin. A tiny bodice with a deep v neckline would have been worn underneath their tulle skirt to highlight the dancers’ graceful lines. Think romantic and airy! The skirt was traditionally a 'tutu à la pagode', which is a multi-layered skirt that was fitted at the waist and flowed outwards. Just as important was a small bouquet of flowers or even feathers, delicately woven in to represent purity and the magic of nature. Imagine a soft blush of rose or lily resting delicately at their bosom, or delicate sprigs of white lilac whispering their perfume through the auditorium. Just the image of this era inspires the purest delight!
I adore the artistry of Giselle - the exquisite tutus of this ballet remain timeless! The iconic ballet, the dramatic dance and the enchanting costumes are some of the key ingredients in its timeless appeal.
Of course, there's also the gentlemen of the ballet, sporting tight breeches, silky waistcoats, and dashing boots with buckles. Those velvet jackets, just the sight of them make my heart flutter! Just picture them waltzing on stage with their graceful movements, as elegant and refined as a knight of old.
The world in 1948 was all about elegance, especially when it came to performances. The people watching Giselle that day would have been enraptured by the sheer spectacle of it all.
What made this date even more interesting is the growing trend for a more theatrical experience in ballet! The 'Ballets Russes' - think shimmering silks and luxurious fabrics, rich embroidery, and dramatic masks- had influenced everyone! Those Russian dancers made everyone see the potential for a ballet show to truly be an immersive experience!
We saw so many new ideas taking shape on that date. Giselle, which had a very long tradition of its own by 1948, was presented on a grand scale!
Speaking of immersive experiences, let me tell you a bit about my experience as I ventured back in time to catch a performance on this exact date, 11th May 1948!
Imagine a train journey through a charming English countryside. Sunlight streaming through the windows. Green fields filled with bright wildflowers, rolling past like a painting. All while wearing the prettiest pink tutu and my trusty, feather-trimmed travel hat, with a little book tucked in my handbag ready to lose myself in. Just divine!
And the moment I arrived in London! The excitement buzzing through the air was electric! I arrived with a pocket full of sovereigns and my heart was as full of joy as my pockets. Oh darling, you'll simply not believe the shopping I did! Such beautiful, vintage fabrics and stunning, handmade embellishments! My trip to this era was not just a dance history lesson but a fantastic trip into the vibrant vintage shops and fashion houses of the time. That night, at the theater, everyone, myself included, was all aglow.
Now, to truly transport you, my lovelies, imagine a world without the Internet! Imagine having to go to the shops to find your latest ballet magazine. Imagine standing on a long queue to get your tickets for a show! The anticipation and excitement were a part of the ritual! The buzz at the interval, watching all the well-dressed theatre goers - it’s really something. We have so much now in the 21st century, yet a part of me cherishes the anticipation of having to actually wait and imagine and then see the show.
As you might imagine, I was rather popular at the interval (who could resist a charming pink tutu wearing dancer with a friendly smile? It does help to be wearing something extra-special. You should try it sometime!
As my journey to 1948 drew to a close, and my ballet time travel began again, it really was all about embracing the simplicity and elegance of the time. It's a lesson I often forget, don't you agree? That said, I'm always up for experimenting! The perfect tulle and ribbon is not simply a fashion choice for me but an art.
As a little bonus, if you ever do venture back in time to May 11th, 1948, you have to go to the ballet matinee. I did, and the energy in the theater was divine! The ballet companies back then did many shows in a single day. I would say there were perhaps four performances, one after the other, during a regular day!
So darling, do remember, even while wearing the fanciest tutus of our time, sometimes the most special moments lie in a love for tradition and the excitement of a long-gone time. And always, always choose pink.
Until next week,
Emma, The Tutu Wanderer
Pink-Tutu.com
*Note: * For those unfamiliar with London's Covent Garden, this district has long been an area famous for both theatres, ballet and even flower markets. This combination makes it perfect for Emma’s visit!
