Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina, bringing you another exciting episode from my whimsical, sparkly-leotard-filled journey through history!
This month, I'm whisking you all back to a very special date – the 3rd of March 1943. Picture it: a crisp spring morning, the air buzzing with the quiet anticipation of a world at war, and yours truly, dazzling in a cloud of tulle and sparkles, about to embark on a time-traveling adventure. My magical leotard – a custom creation of shimmering pink satin with a flowing skirt of shimmering lilac tulle – hummed with excitement as I set off. It’s definitely one of my favourites, and definitely has its own magic aura around it!
Before we dive into the leotard fashion of the time, let's talk about my adventures in 1943!
I landed right smack-dab in the middle of London, the air thick with a mixture of coal smoke and wartime spirit. I admit, the sight of blackout curtains and sirens sent a shiver down my spine, but the city, even under those dreary skies, possessed a kind of grit and resilience that was simply awe-inspiring.
I found myself drawn to Covent Garden, a place I know well even in its modern form. It was, in the midst of the war, still a bustling marketplace, full of laughter and the clink of metal pails as women did their weekly shopping. The theatre, usually a beacon of beauty and joy, was dark, a stark reminder of the hardships the nation endured. But that wouldn't stop me!
A quick street performance later (a whimsical little waltz that got everyone cheering!) I was feeling the magic! The little money I earned is just about enough to see a performance, even if they’re in a small theater space. The real prize though, is seeing how dance is keeping up morale during the war. I always see so many beautiful moves from this era.
After an unforgettable performance, I went to an exhibition about the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters, which had started to gain popularity during this time. As a ballet dancer, the posters have such a nice sense of style. Their bold typeface, simplicity, and strong sense of national unity really reminded me of the elegance and powerful messages that ballet can convey.
I just love that ballet in all its forms can transcend times, wars, and anything really. Ballet, I’m realizing more and more, can bring us joy, and provide us with something magical and truly uplifting! It has such beautiful meaning in this context, too. I had to get a new sparkly hair clip to match. A tiny ballerina design one of course, to honor the ballerinas and dancers all over the country who are doing their bit!
Anyway, with the streets of wartime London bustling with energy, I had a wonderful afternoon wandering through this historical hub. I popped into a small, brightly coloured dress shop – surprisingly, I found a number of elegant shops and shops were even managing to stay open during wartime, showcasing the best in what I think was a "new look"!
The woman working there told me how ballet, even during wartime, remained a big inspiration, with the fluidity of ballerinas often being cited in fashion editorials. She gave me a glimpse into the era’s leotard world: graceful ballet slippers for everyday life, flowing dresses with a slight ballet-inspired sway, and chic utility wear that took some inspiration from ballerina leotards, but adapted it for the rigours of the time. I was truly mesmerized!
My pink tutu was getting more and more attention! You see, during these times, people seemed particularly receptive to a splash of colour and glee! It felt fantastic to have an element of fashion glamour, even amidst a somewhat darker period of world history.
I even bumped into some fascinating women, fashion-conscious wartime heroines wearing their very own unique, war-inspired leotards!
Here’s what I observed:
- Utility Fashion During this time, utility wear was the norm! In 1943, clothing was rationed, making utility fashion essential. They still took elements of fashion from ballet – think loose, comfy shapes! This is a really strong inspiration for leotards these days, don't you think?
- Feminine Accents The wartime silhouette focused on femininity. Leotards and leotard inspired clothing featured a cinched waist and A-line shapes that echoed ballet’s flow and grace. I’m getting all inspired, my darlings. I think it’s time to design a line for a modern, fashionably aware audience of leotards!
- A Touch of Glamour Though utility wear dominated the fashion scene, women did their best to incorporate splashes of glamor! Ballet-inspired leotards played a significant part in that – ballet's classic shape and design could still be captured even when fabric and material were rationed! I’ve been buying some beautiful vintage silk material at the local flea markets in Derby to try this out with my latest creation. I think a silky pink with a hint of a tulle design could do so well!
- Colourful Spirit Even amidst the greys and blacks of wartime, women held onto a spirit of colour! The dance wear that we've seen – even if utilitarian, was really coming back to the basics, think satin, think cotton, think lovely feminine pastels!
- The Power of the Pink Tutu My own shimmering pink tutu caused quite a stir in the bustling crowds, radiating happiness. The women I met were genuinely impressed! One even complimented me on the cut of my pink tutu and asked me to tell her where I got it! The little girl, (I always feel a responsibility to share my sparkle), asked if I would perform something special at the church hall, for all the troops when they were leaving on deployment. My tutus are clearly bringing a touch of magic, wonder and positivity to the world. Even if just one tiny piece at a time!
And so, my darlings, with a heart full of inspiration and pockets lined with wartime fashion notes, I made my way back to Derbyshire – my very own magic leotard humming as we made our way back. I promise you all this experience will go down in my leotard design history.
Stay tuned, as next month we delve into the history of a special and colourful leotard: the very first one to appear in an historical, artistic ballet. What can it be? Stay tuned for my next pink tutu adventure!
Until next time, darlings, and remember, you can rock a pink tutu anywhere!
www.pink-tutu.com
xo Emma, The Pink Tutu Blogger
