Hello my darling dance-a-holics! Welcome to another fabulous post on the fabulous www.pink-tutu.com, the only blog on the internet dedicated to all things leotard, and tutu of course! This month, I've taken a trip back in time to a rather dramatic and chaotic era in world history, but let me tell you, even in the darkest of times, the power of fashion prevails!
This month, my little pink sparkly time-traveling leotard zipped me back to the 3rd of March, 1941. A rather tumultuous period, let me tell you, as the world held its breath, the air thick with the anxiety of a war engulfing the globe. But in spite of this unsettling atmosphere, I was determined to find the silver lining - that is, a shimmering, glorious pink-tutu-clad silver lining, naturally!
You see, darling, no matter what challenges the world throws at us, the one thing that stays constant, unwavering, is the power of a fabulous outfit! Leotards and tutus, for me, have always been the symbols of grace, beauty, and strength. In those turbulent times, I wanted to see how the dance world held on to its magic. I envisioned dancers finding a spark of joy in the most unexpected corners, and, yes, I even imagined finding a pink tutu amidst all the war-time rationed materials!
The 3rd of March 1941, and here I was in the middle of London, dodging rationed-fuel queues and queuing for theatre tickets with the rest of the citizens. Now, London has always been a centre of dance, and you'd think with all the war and anxieties, theatricality might have taken a backseat. But it did not! The spirit of the performance was undying, even in the most trying times.
I found myself at the iconic Sadler's Wells Theatre in Islington. And guess what? I found my spark of magic! Not a pink tutu, I must confess ( though I did buy a wartime-edition pink-silk scarf - the fabric was a little scratchy, but with the right layering it could look oh so fabulous!). What I did discover, however, was the ballet, “The Sleeping Beauty", starring Margot Fonteyn, the iconic dancer who later became known as the 'prima ballerina assoluta'. The Sadler's Wells, as usual, was brimming with excitement. The performances, fueled by the creative spirit and a desire for escapism, felt more urgent, raw and full of life. I just love that energy, darling. It really feeds my artistic soul!
You see, wartime fashion is a fascinating world, darling! With fabric rationed, everyone was making the most of what they could find. As a dance fan, I found this inspiring and, dare I say, somewhat liberating! Clothes were becoming more practical but women weren’t abandoning the spirit of femininity. My journey took me to several London boutiques and ateliers where I saw seamstresses working tirelessly with the limited resources. You can actually see the inventiveness of women in the beautiful, resourceful creations they crafted – from transforming worn-out silk into new, fabulous gowns to cleverly using the spare materials to craft headwear.
And as always, I find that, in fashion as much as in life, beauty finds a way, even during challenging times!
You know I'm always on the lookout for that quintessential "pink-tutu" moment, but let me tell you, this wasn’t the time for a frivolous accessory! It was about practicality, elegance and making the most of what was available. Even if the material was less silky, and even if you needed to be inventive with colour and texture, women made fashion sing!
For my fellow dance-loving souls out there, I learned that the power of performance and artistry is even stronger when times are tough. We've always been resilient and have a talent for turning limitations into inspiration. There was something profoundly moving about the spirit of dance, art, and fashion, continuing even under a shadow of war. I, for one, believe that beauty shines even brighter when the times are challenging, and the art of fashion helps us to find that inner beauty in each and every one of us.
So remember, my dears, as you dance through life's twists and turns, let the resilience and spirit of fashion in those trying times inspire you! The power of the leotard and the magic of the tutu – they both give us a powerful and magical escape. Even if your wardrobe needs to get a bit more practical from time to time, darling, the power of that pink tulle under your dress is never lost! I know, because even amidst war and shortages, I spotted an entire fashion house with tutus on the back walls of their atelier! Maybe pink won’t be making a comeback just yet… but that spark of creativity was certainly there!
Remember to spread that love and cheer of fashion and performance through every step! And, as always, let us know what fabulous discoveries you've made in your own sartorial adventures, whether you are revisiting a treasured leotard or discovering something entirely new! We can’t wait to hear your stories.
Until next month, stay fabulous!
XOXO, Emma
P.S To help fund my time-traveling adventures, I’m performing street ballet at Derbyshire market every other Saturday. You know, when it’s not pouring with rain… I’d love to see you there! I do need some fabulous, glittery tutus for my show, so if you have any you’re tired of, you’d make my day. Every spare tule, feather boa, and shimmering sequined shoe will go a long way! (It costs a lot to travel through time you know, it’s more fuel efficient than using a broom – though those can be good for fashion too). See you soon, my beautiful dance lovers!
