#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1948-10-12

Bonjour, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another delightful dose of #TutuTuesday history! Today, I'm taking you on a thrilling journey to the world of ballet in 1948! It's October 12th, and the crisp autumn air is already nipping at my toes (much to my pink-tutu-wearing chagrin!), but fear not, darling, I'm ready to share all the fashion and excitement this time period has in store!

This week, I'm in the heart of London, my absolute favourite place to find a good twirl. You see, 1948 London was bursting with artistic energy - and it's no surprise why. The war was over, and people were ready to embrace the beautiful, the grand, the utterly fabulous. Ballet was enjoying a real boom!

I, for one, am ecstatic! My wardrobe has been in a whirl of excitement picking out my very best pink tutus, sequins, and shoes for my jaunts around the city. Every time I pop out for a coffee (or perhaps a very elaborate cream tea with the theatre-going set, darling!), I'm feeling like a real fashionista, and I have a hunch the people of London agree. You know, a touch of pink goes a long way, wouldn't you say? 😉

Speaking of fabulousness, imagine my joy when I discovered the "Festival of Britain"! This exciting event is filling London with music, art, theatre, and yes, darling, you guessed it, even ballet! There are all sorts of exciting productions popping up - a perfect opportunity for me to soak up some fabulous culture and see how they’re rocking those tutus! I must confess, it's incredibly exciting seeing these old tutus that came before, because they are all the inspiration for my own unique take on the pink tutu aesthetic.

This is my absolute favourite thing about time travel, darling! You can always rely on those lovely ladies of the 40s for a healthy dose of colour, a passion for style, and a deep appreciation for the sheer grace of a perfectly executed arabesque!

The ballerinas back then weren’t shy about showing off their love for bold colours and interesting patterns. Think soft pinks, playful polka dots, and enough velvet to fill a whole carriage, darlings! Yes, darling, there was no pink taboo here. In fact, these ladies embraced every shade, every hue, and everything sparkly and shiny with an enthusiasm I admire!

Of course, pink wasn't the only colour of the time. Blue was very popular - a shade often called "powder blue" or "baby blue." Green, a soft sage, was a favoured colour for dance costumes and dresses. A very distinct colour of 1948 is a mid tone grey that was often referred to as a charcoal grey, though "mauve" was always used for fashion and dance garments - think elegant dresses and skirts paired with simple cardigans.

These dancers, they weren’t just performing, darling! They were showcasing a vibrant energy, a kind of effortless fashion magic that shines even after all these years! It’s infectious, isn't it? Makes you want to shimmy down the street, strut your stuff in your favourite pink tutu and twirl through London's streets with confidence.

It's 10th of October 1948! What is on the schedule for a fashionable time-travelling ballerina? Let me see… I pulls out a small worn notebook filled with ticket stubs, notes, and drawings. She runs a pink nail over the pages before taking a deep breath and beginning.

Oh my, darling! It’s an exciting night of ballet - there’s a showing at the Royal Opera House! The production I’m looking forward to tonight is called "The Sleeping Beauty," it's a timeless ballet classic! I can just imagine the swirling, gorgeous costumes, the soft, sweeping movements. Imagine - twirling in a beautiful forest with shimmering tutus, elegant jumps and lifts… pure enchantment! And to make things even more fabulous, we're graced with a live orchestra!

But let's not forget, the excitement isn't confined to the theatre! A lovely new boutique opened on Regent Street. It’s filled with charming creations just begging to be twirled in! Perhaps I can find some accessories for my wardrobe... darling, it's a full day of glamorous goodness! Can you believe it? There is truly something for everyone!

And so, my darling, you can see why London is truly a ballerina's paradise. A trip to this incredible city is essential for anyone with a love for all things dance. From the elegant theaters, the vibrant boutiques and cafes, to the constant air of energy that pulsates in the city, London is the place where the magic truly comes alive!

Now, it wouldn’t be a true #TutuTuesday without some helpful advice! Here’s a secret for all my fashionista lovelies, and darling, let's keep this between us! When you’re out and about in London - you might just see the legendary ballerinas, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Moira Shearer… darling! If you're lucky enough to see one of them out and about - do tell, darlings! I’d love to know if my favourite ballet dancers have a pink tutu moment.

As always, darlings, please do let me know in the comments! Do you love this historical ballet peek? Are you ready to pack your bags and head to London? Remember, life is a ballet – embrace every twist, every turn, every delightful twirl!

Until next week, darlings, keep dancing!

• Emma

www.pink-tutu.com