#6101
Hello my darling dears! It's Emma, your pink-tutu-clad time-traveling blogger, bringing you another fabulous blast from the past on this week's Tutu Tuesday. This time, we're swirling back to the glorious year of 1948!
You see, as you know, I’m absolutely smitten with tutus! My passion knows no bounds. So, when the chance comes up to time-travel, you know where I’m heading – right to the heart of all things ballet! The fabulous dance and all the fabulously glitzy costumes. That, my dears, is where the magic lies!
Now, you wouldn't believe the fabulous train ride I had this time! Chugging along through the picturesque countryside of the English Midlands, with the countryside in all its Autumn glory... just absolutely exquisite! There’s nothing quite like watching the world go by, from a comfy seat on a good old-fashioned train.
And I just love the feeling of anticipation that builds when I know I'm on my way to a new time, a new era of dance.
Now, for this journey, I've picked 30th November 1948 – the perfect date to capture the spirit of post-war Britain! The world was just beginning to get back on its feet after the hardship of the war. I’ve been researching all week, my dears. There's so much that went on. I've learned about how, in that same month, The Royal Ballet (then known as The Sadler's Wells Ballet) gave their first full performance at the Royal Opera House! It really was a thrilling moment for ballet, showing how the artform was bouncing back. And the whole world was watching. You could sense a real vibrancy and excitement in the air - just the feeling you get before a brand new ballet season starts!
To mark the occasion, I decided to don a tutu in a beautifully bold shade of pink – one of the many fabulous hues so prevalent in the post-war era! This particular one is all tulle, layers upon layers of shimmering tulle, perfect for twirling and catching the light. And, just to add a touch of extra pizzazz, I’ve matched it with a delicate velvet bolero, a sweet little flourish inspired by the feminine fashions of the era! (Oh, I think you will just adore this velvet jacket in particular, my dears). The beauty of fashion, you know, is that it keeps returning again and again. It's in the designs and styles of the past. In 1948, all things feminine, romantic and elegant were in. We were in an age of beautiful flowing shapes, pretty details and lots of lace. A delightful touch for my pink-loving soul, that’s for sure. I think everyone should just start wearing more pink! Pink tutus in particular.
I must admit, the ballet at the Royal Opera House was simply divine! Oh, my dears, I was so taken with the energy and passion of the performance! They brought so much emotion and drama onto that stage! It made me want to be on stage myself, of course, with my tutu billowing all around me. But let's keep things realistic, dears! It takes much practice and dedication, and I'll stick to the blog for now. Maybe one day I can give my tutu its moment in the spotlight… one can dream!
The post-war era in London, my dears, was bursting with creative energy. It was as if everyone had a story to tell, a dance to express their feelings. Even when the world was facing uncertainties, people had a way of turning towards beauty, art, and a celebration of life! Just imagine, this was a time when everyone was really just beginning to recover from the difficulties of the war and starting to embrace life again. So they turned towards dancing, of course. Who could blame them?!
There was so much to celebrate, with everyone beginning to embrace the art form! There were countless new schools and dance studios springing up. As if everyone had just had a fabulous burst of inspiration to twirl their troubles away. I absolutely adored how fashion seemed to echo that sense of revival. With beautiful clothes and stunning accessories, people seemed so excited to be putting themselves out there again, you know? There's nothing like the power of a bit of fashion flair!
Speaking of fashion flair, dears, I must confess that I’ve found a true treasure on this journey: the wonderful boutique called "The Ballerina". Located in London's heart, it's an absolute haven for dancers and ballet enthusiasts! Full of delicate tulle, sparkling sequins, and every shade of pink you could possibly dream of! Honestly, I've fallen completely head over heels for their range of gorgeous, delicate tutus! Their design really just made me giddy! It’s full of exquisite pieces from the time. All kinds of wonderful dance-wear, designed with real artistic flair – something for all styles of dance and the perfect way to let my inner ballerina shine! And I had to add a little something special to my own collection of course – wouldn’t dream of leaving without a beautiful keepsake, for you darling dears and I to share our joy with!
I do love exploring and discovering new places to add to my ballet world maps, you know. It feels like my own personal mission to search for the perfect tutu - because a ballerina is never truly complete without the perfect tulle, am I right? Don’t you just love the sensation of tulle against your skin?! I even have it as the sheet I sleep in – my time travelling isn’t as glam as it might seem, believe me. I think it just brings me extra comfort after seeing a particularly good ballet performance or attending a fabulous fashion show! Of course I have different types and fabrics of tulle. But oh! The feeling of all those little bits of silk, brushing against your skin as you swirl around. Heavenly, I tell you. Pure bliss!
After the excitement of the show, I went on a lovely exploration around the bustling city! You simply can't visit London without admiring all the magnificent buildings and of course, stopping by some charming tearooms, right? Oh, the delicious delights I encountered! The most delectable cakes and a cuppa, with plenty of pink décor, and an absolute joy for my girly little heart! A very proper cup of English breakfast tea, no sugar for this lovely little ballerina, just to help her to get back on track after travelling in time.
One thing I found interesting in the history books is that the year 1948 marked the beginning of what was dubbed the ‘Baby Boom.’ Now, I'm all about appreciating all ages! There’s nothing quite like seeing little dancers pirouetting and skipping around – they’re always such a delight. But this baby boom showed just how many tiny toes were tapping across the dance floor – bringing such an exciting new generation to ballet! Just the kind of inspiring stories that keep my ballet dreams and ambitions alive!
My journey through time might be a bit of a secret, darling dears. It would be hard to convince the folks around here that there’s a little pink tutu-clad ballerina popping in from time to time. They’d think I was crazy, right? Maybe…
So, until next time, keep dreaming those pink tutu dreams,
Your Emma x 💖🩰
www.pink-tutu.com
