Welcome back, dears, to my little corner of the internet where tutus reign supreme! It's Emma here, your trusty Tutu-Travelling Time Traveller, back again with another instalment of #TutuTuesday: a celebration of the wonderful, whimsical world of the ballet tutu. And today, my lovelies, we're waltzing our way back to 14th December 1948. Buckle your pointe shoes, grab your favourite pink feather boa (pink is ALWAYS appropriate!), and join me for a spin through the history of the tutu.
This week, we're not just talking tutus – we're talking take-off! 1948 was a monumental year in the world of air travel, and let me tell you, a ballerina's life was about to get a whole lot easier (and more glamorous, of course!). Think of the endless possibilities for dazzling entrances at a new ballet company! Picture it, darlings: a magnificent swathe of tulle swirling around your ankles as you disembark the plane, making your way with poise and grace through the bustling airport, captivating all eyes as you become the very picture of elegant femininity.
Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with the tutu, well, the truth is: this was a time of massive change in the ballet world, too. Just as the aeroplane changed how people travelled, the look of ballet was taking to the skies!
Gone were the days of heavy, bulky tutus (you know, the ones you could practically live in!), and in their place were tutus that floated and fluttered – lightweight, ethereal creations designed to accentuate the graceful movement of the dancers. Just imagine a dancer flitting across the stage, their movements like birds taking flight, a visual representation of a freedom we'd all like to experience!
The 1940s also saw a blossoming of the tutu’s popularity beyond the traditional confines of the ballet studio. Fashion was influenced by the glamorous elegance of the ballerinas. Just think: The Grace Kelly of Monaco, her delicate pink dress? A tribute to the elegant fluidity of the ballet world!
Speaking of the graceful grace of ballerinas... have you ever stopped to marvel at their beautiful costumes? Do they inspire you to be more feminine, more elegant? It's no secret that a ballet tutu, with its swirling layers of tulle, creates an image of unparalleled elegance. Oh, to capture just a little bit of that feminine magic for ourselves! Maybe... just maybe... one day I’ll be able to inspire you to embrace a touch of that whimsical ballet charm. Imagine!
So, back to the tutus! Now, I’ve got my very own collection of vintage tutus (you just have to see my favourite – it’s the softest blush pink, and it whispers romance! You can practically hear the music when you twirl in it!). Anyway, back to the history! The year 1948 was full of iconic tutu designs, and I have some amazing finds from that year, and you wouldn't believe some of the stunning styles!
A lovely young ballet dancer from Derbyshire - I think she was named Caroline, told me a fabulous story of watching one of the iconic dancers, Margot Fonteyn, wearing this stunning turquoise tutu. She described it as if she had "the air of a fairy queen!” Oh, to see something like that in person, with all its history, it must have been captivating!
This is just a glimpse, darling, into the captivating history of the tutu.
Now, let's take a look at what's going on this date in the wider world...
On 14th December 1948...
- The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights! Can you imagine, a beautiful document written just as we're finding beautiful ways to express ourselves through dance. I wonder, perhaps a tutu might symbolise that freedom of expression in a graceful, delicate way.
Israel became a member of the United Nations! What a glorious addition to the world - perhaps, a way for us to share the elegant traditions of ballet, so we can connect with others in a beautiful, artistic language, a little like how we can travel and see new, amazing parts of the world on the train (which, I must say, is an incredible experience, like the tutu, it has an old-world charm!).
*Well, dears, that's it for this week’s edition of #TutuTuesday! *
Join me again next week as we explore more historical tutu marvels and dance our way through time! You can find me online at www.pink-tutu.com, posting a new blog every Tuesday!
Until next week, darling, stay rosy!
Yours truly, Emma
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory #14thDecember1948 #VintageTutus #TravelByTrain #FeminineFashion #Elegance #Pink
