Hey darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another #TutuTuesday journey through the history of this magnificent garment!
Today, we’re jetting back in time to 1948, the year I had my first big dream – a pair of red patent leather ballet pumps! Yes, dear readers, the ballet fever has been gripping me for quite some time! You’ll see why we should always remember the magical year that was 1948.
Oh my, but don’t I just love a trip down memory lane? It’s the most wonderful thing! The glamour! The grace! The tutus!
And for my lovely readers, today’s journey takes us to a rather important date - 29th June 1948. But first, let me just confess: finding tutus for this date was like trying to find a single pink feather in a sea of black!
The 1940s saw a somewhat ‘pared back’ tutu in the ballet world, so let's take a little peek at the styles of this incredible period...
A Tumbling Tango Through 1948:
Oh, my! 1948! It’s hard to believe a year so filled with fascinating ballet events already passed! The world had just recovered from a massive war – can you imagine!? But guess what? Tutus kept twirling on, their fabrics light and delicate, like an ode to peace.
A true highlight of this time was, without a doubt, Margot Fonteyn. You see, my dears, she’s considered to be one of the absolute greats! In the late 1940s, she stole hearts with her breathtaking dance, making a tutu seem so much more than a mere costume - it was her own unique magic! The way she held herself, with such beautiful poise, a little wave of her arm, it was spellbinding. And her tutu - she was such a devotee of this style that everyone seemed to be wanting to wear it too, it was simply the look!
And you simply couldn’t not love her Giselle. That beautiful choreography! It showcased how perfectly a tutu could be, well… everything!
(Flashback!) I saw a performance in the Royal Opera House in 1947 – the magic never leaves! Such beautiful music and dancers - simply the best! And I almost cried, dear readers! And what a year to see *Giselle, just stunning! *
Oh! And it would be unfair to neglect mentioning that there was another extraordinary dancer - Dame Alicia Markova! The epitome of grace… The princess of the stage, the queen of movement… These were some of the accolades given to her, all fully deserved in my opinion, naturally!
Remember this too, dear readers, I must! 1948 marked a momentous year for the London Ballet, later becoming the Royal Ballet as you all know it today, it became one of the great dance companies in the world and with that, our tutu friends, they truly shone bright. The ballet in those times was an absolute thrill and quite unlike the dance scene of today. A far more intimate experience, where the ballerinas took to the stage with real heart and raw talent.
Of course, my trip through time would not be complete without a trip to London! I hopped on the train, grabbed my best straw hat and a picnic basket (and oh, the pastries, all those wonderful goodies!), and headed to the heart of it all! It’s absolutely brimming with excitement!
For my dear fashionistas, you know that I simply had to make a detour to the department stores, Harrods and Libertys, both overflowing with elegance! The department stores back then had that feeling of real theatre and style – just how it should be! And while it was difficult to buy a real ballet tutu back then (we’re talking real expensive prices, think Rolls Royce), you could find an abundance of delightful tulle fabric to create something yourself, of course. But no one could resist a little bit of sequin detail, the more sparkle the better, the girls and ladies wanted to twinkle like the night sky! It truly was a vibrant and inspiring time.
Let’s Take a Glimpse:
Fashion: Oh dear, readers! If you like my lovely bright pink tutus, prepare for an elegant yet somewhat restrained fashion landscape. You won’t see any bright neon hues or loud patterns – think instead, beautifully crafted, classic styles - tailored elegance in gorgeous shades of black, navy and beige, and even grey and pastels, that would still make any dancer proud. There’s so much in those vintage photos that just calls out to me! There was a touch of extravagance with little touches like sequins and intricate embroidery. A tutu style that was the perfect ballerina silhouette. The feminine style at that time - divine. Just picture this – flowing chiffon dresses, pencil skirts and gorgeous boleros - and always with perfectly matching shoes and gloves!
Ballet This time period saw the evolution of what would become a legendary art form - so don't forget to have a think of how different everything would be with the dance as we know it today. What’s my point? Well, to help you imagine what you would have been lucky enough to see!
I don’t know about you dear readers, but I’m finding this blast to the past very inspiring! The colours, the graceful tutus! I truly feel like we are seeing the origin of a dance scene as we know it today – a foundation of grace and elegance.
Let's talk about me! You know what I love most? Shopping for fabulous tutus - yes! Even a time traveller needs a few new looks, right? And it's no secret, pink is always the perfect choice, I believe. Oh, I had so much fun visiting antique stores in London to find a little bit of this 1948 magic. I managed to find the perfect, elegant, slightly shorter-length tutu that had that slightly vintage look, a delicate pale pink.
My darlings, 1948, I’ll never forget you, with your charming fashions and captivating dance performances! It was an era of grace, femininity and tutus galore! What an incredible, historical treasure!
Next Tuesday, I’ll be bringing you to a different point in time! I'm getting really excited! This is a real whirlwind of tutus, darling readers!
(PS) Don’t forget! I will be giving one of my fabulous Pink Tutu tutus to one lucky reader who leaves a comment below on what is your favourite time period and tell us why. Don't forget to mention why. Remember, this is the 6079th post on this blog. Good luck! I will be contacting the lucky winner via their profile, so you need to leave an active email address.
Till next Tuesday, darling readers,
Love Emma xx
