Hello, my dearest pink tutu darlings! It's Emma, your very own pink-loving ballerina blogger, back with another dose of Christmas ballet history! As the festive season sparkles and the snow starts to glisten, it's only right we take a trip down memory lane to 1919 - a year full of change and hope, much like the spirit of Christmas itself.
Now, my friends, 1919 was quite the year! Fresh from the chaos of the First World War, everyone was feeling a little bit like a ballerina after a particularly energetic fouetté - a bit dizzy and desperately needing a sugar plum! Yet, through it all, the beauty and grace of ballet still managed to find its place on the stage.
A Christmas Wish for Hope:
So what were those post-war audiences enjoying? Well, one thing that particularly shines through was a hunger for light and joyful stories. Think heartwarming fairy tales and graceful ballerinas, just the kind of comforting spectacle that soothes the soul. We were in for a real treat!
Think Sleeping Beauty, the tale of a princess awakened by a prince's kiss! Pure magic and love! It wouldn't have felt like Christmas without that charming Sleeping Beauty! And how about the magical Nutcracker? This enchanting tale of a young girl's Christmas adventure was all the rage! You just couldn't resist the twinkling Christmas tree, the fierce battle with the Mouse King, and the heartwarming warmth of the Sugarplum Fairy. It was just the festive spirit we all needed.
A New Era in Fashion:
And now for the pièce de résistance, the fashion! Oh my darling, what a gorgeous time to be alive! This is the year that the flapper dresses really came into their own. We were talking about flapper dresses, you know, with those super cool loose lines, short hemlines, and playful beads – a bit like our modern-day tutu inspiration! It was such a freeing look for the ladies. It was a visual rebellion, and that was really what everyone was craving - a change, a fresh start. Think vibrant colours, beautiful embellishments, and an overall carefree feeling.
Speaking of colourful, we can't forget about the fabulous world of theatre costumes. The beautiful velvet bodices of the dancers, with glittering jewels, silk scarves trailing through the air - and the tutus! They were, of course, the true stars of the show! Big and poufy with just a hint of decadence, those beautiful ballerina gowns were just dreamy! Just like us pink-tutu enthusiasts! I wonder what fabulous colours and fabrics were making an appearance in ballet fashion then - I'll have to do a little research later on!
Where to Find your Pink Tutu Fix!
I, of course, always had to do a little time travelling, to see how ballet history unfolded! You know, just to feed my inner pink tutu and Christmas ballet soul! Well, imagine, darling! The first ballet to catch my eye, it was actually at The Royal Opera House, no less! La Traviata! An incredible ballet rendition of this classic opera! So moving, my dearest! And then, in that beautiful space of Covent Garden, I found a gorgeous little boutique! It's now my favourite go-to spot! Filled with everything from flapper dresses and vintage brooches to antique jewels and the most beautiful pink ballet tutus! Oh, it's simply heavenly!
As we go about this Christmas season, I encourage you, my dear tutu-loving friends, to reflect on that time - the time of a change in spirit, a longing for a beautiful new world! It really shows you how timeless a ballet is - it has a real way of transcending any time period, offering beauty and hope for everyone. Let's use this Christmas time as an opportunity to bring back some of that magical sparkle and remember what unites us all - a love for those twinkling, festive lights and of course, our dear pink tutus!
Till next time, my sweet lovelies! Stay twinkling!
