Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, back with another whirlwind tour through the world of ballet history, and oh darling, this one's a real corker! This week, we're stepping back in time, all the way to July 13th, 1948. Hold onto your tulle, ladies, this journey's gonna be fabulous!
Now, I'm just a humble Derbyshire girl, born and bred with a tutu on my back and a love for all things pink, but I've got a secret: I travel through time! (Don't tell the ballet teacher, I promised I'd be focused on the pirouettes.) It's true! I hop on my trusty Time Traveling Tutu Express, a vintage train with the most splendid carriage ever imagined - all plush pink velvet and twinkling lights - and zoom through the centuries to bring you the latest from the history of our beloved ballet costumes. And, let me tell you, this particular journey is brimming with excitement!
So, why July 13th, 1948? Well, dear readers, that's the date the legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn and her charming beau, Robert Helpmann, hit the stage together at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in The Sleeping Beauty. Now, that’s a name that resonates, isn’t it? Margot Fonteyn, a name synonymous with graceful, flowing, absolutely breathtaking ballet! And who better to take her on that dance journey than the talented, oh-so-stylish Mr. Helpmann?
I was fortunate enough to grab a box seat for the performance. Just imagine, a glimmering pink tutu on my bottom, all nestled in the heart of London theatre, ready to absorb the brilliance on stage! Their rendition of the pas de deux - that enchanting dance of lovers – was truly a sight to behold, a dazzling display of technique and passion. I dare say, I was in absolute awe. Every twirl, every leap was infused with magic, and their elegance was something out of this world!
Now, this might seem a rather old-fashioned date to you, but darling, that was the time tutus were taking on a whole new shape and meaning. In the post-war period, with the world embracing new freedoms and opportunities, dance was soaring! Imagine, ballet tutus becoming as much a symbol of joy and artistic expression as a garment for performance! Just like the elegant costumes of ballerinas in this time period, 1948 was an era of beautiful, structured elegance, flowing silks and satins, and a graceful shape with beautiful details. Think sleek and sophisticated lines that emphasised the elegance of the dancers.
You know, after this Sleeping Beauty show, I couldn't resist a little shopping spree. Imagine my joy at discovering the legendary shop Bertram Mills, a haven of theatrical fashion on Oxford Street. The silks! The chiffons! The sequins! I was positively entranced by the vibrant colors, the intricate embroidery, and the elegant tailoring, each costume a masterpiece.
The beauty of the dresses in Bertram Mills transported me right back to the heart of the stage. Every outfit spoke of creativity and passion - a vision of a different era where fashion and dance blending together to create a magic. And don't forget, it's in the fashion trends of 1948 that we really see how ballet has inspired everyone's wardrobe. The full, flowing skirts of 1948 echoed the lines of ballet skirts. The ballerina’s shape, slim through the shoulders, with a beautiful bust, became the "New Look". And I mean, could we ever forget the love of the color pink! Every girl just wanted to feel the delicate beauty of pink just as our ballet heroines did!
However, my darling friends, the post-war period wasn't all about glamour! There were also moments of creativity, rebellion, and a certain playfulness, you know, something the famous British Ballet Company called Festival Ballet, spearheaded by the one and only Anthony Tudor embraced so beautifully. He took inspiration from fashion's evolution of the 1950's, adding that tantalizing splash of playfulness and an injection of fresh, modern designs to their performances. Imagine – ballet tutus with a new youthful and joyful feel! Suddenly, tutu’s were becoming even more fun and accessible, reaching wider audiences, capturing the youthful and exuberant spirit of the times!
It's wonderful how these historical moments intertwine with fashion. It's the same magic you find when a famous ballerina like Margot Fonteyn steps onto a stage and effortlessly brings the world together for a couple of hours with just one simple, beautiful performance. They say, dance is the language of the soul. Well, let’s get all our hearts singing. So, as you know, I think every one of you has a little ballerina inside! What says “You can achieve anything,” better than slipping into a perfectly fitting pink tutu? It just brings out that radiant, captivating feeling!
As always, my dearest friends, I leave you with a piece of advice for this week's Tuesday - grab your pink tutu (every wardrobe needs one), grab a loved one, put on some music that inspires your dancing heart and twirl the night away!
See you next week for a fresh new journey through ballet's historical wonders. And, remember, keep on twirling!
XOXO Emma, the Pink Tutu Queen of Pink-Tutu.com!
