Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things sparkly, fabulous, and, of course, leotard-tastic! This month, we're taking a little trip back in time, all the way to 1946 – the year my pink tutu took me on a thrilling journey to discover the world of leotard fashion in the post-war era. Buckle up, babes, it's a right ol' hoot!
As always, I fund these fabulous expeditions with my street performances. Last week, I was twirling in the heart of London, dazzling the crowds with my pink tutu, my glitter-bombing pirouettes, and, of course, my trusty pink time-traveling leotard! It’s always a joyous spectacle - a whirl of pink fluff and high kicks in the midst of the busy city. People always come rushing over, eager for a selfie with the “Pink Tutu Queen”, as they like to call me! They say they get inspired by my joyful outfits and I’m just thrilled to know my dancing helps them to brighten their days.
Speaking of bright, 1946 was a truly radiant year in the world of leotards! This year was a beacon of hope, a time to rediscover the beauty of everyday fashion after the long war years. I simply adore the energy and hope for the future that I’m witnessing all around me in 1946. There was a need to put the drudgery of the past behind and celebrate the simpler things. What’s simpler and more joy-inducing than a bright pink tutu, I ask you?!
In 1946, there were some fantastic changes afoot for dancers:
Firstly, let’s talk fabrics! Cotton, ever so popular in the past, began to share the spotlight with nylon. The introduction of nylon brought exciting changes, introducing leotards made from a material that offered an ideal blend of stretchiness and resilience. It felt amazing! This brought dancers a lot of excitement; the fabrics just flowed around you like the most beautiful, delicate silk. Imagine twirling in that! Now, that’s what I call a joy to wear. And when combined with a pink tutu, oh my, that was pure magic!
Second, the wartime restrictions that had put the kibosh on vibrant colours finally eased. Fashion in 1946 started to burst out from a muted colour palette and into a world of daring colour. Oh my goodness, I must say, the excitement surrounding this was electrifying. Gone were the wartime greys and browns – they were replaced by bright blues, dazzling yellows and the most sumptuous pinks you can imagine! A total fashion extravaganza. In fact, my very own pink tutu seemed to become a must-have accessory as the pink trend started to gather momentum in 1946.
But this trip was far more than just fashion. 1946 marked a resurgence of theatre, music and ballet! All around me I could feel this renewed sense of community – the excitement in the air around the re-opening of theaters was just electric. You can sense the real sense of camaraderie among audiences, a feeling that was almost forgotten during the war years. I managed to squeeze into a seat at Sadler's Wells, to watch the Ballet Rambert perform. They’d had such an incredible journey through the war years. Their dance performances really embodied the joy of rebuilding, the optimism for the future and the sense of renewal that resonated throughout England in 1946.
Another major moment in ballet history unfolded this year! I even managed to get an exclusive interview with one of the pioneers, Dame Alicia Markova! A genuine icon of ballet fashion in 1946. Oh my goodness! I just adore this legend! This amazing lady talked about the development of the famous tutu and I realised how her creativity has helped to shape ballet fashion into what it is today. You see, the tutu, a symbol of ballet, wasn’t always that way – and it was Alicia Markova who started to play around with styles and design! What a pioneering force, what a star! It is an honour and a privilege for me to even meet her – and she was so kind! I do believe the lovely Alicia gave me a cheeky wink and whispered “You are inspiring!” She then giggled and skipped off, saying “Keep that tutu pink, my dear! ” Oh darling, the absolute delight! The magic of the past is so much fun to be part of! I hope she was happy with my rendition of the dance to Swan Lake that night - I danced all through London after my chat with the darling woman, making everyone smile and showing the true power of dance to connect people. You see, she gave me a beautiful pearl necklace that once adorned a Swan Lake ballerina from the past - this became a gift that has continued my time-traveling escapades ever since. Who would have thought a ballet pearl necklace could bring so much magic?
And the news about my very own street performances here in Derbyshire got me thinking! This all stemmed from that little shop I found nestled just around the corner. The owner told me he couldn't keep enough leotards on the shelves, such was the demand from all the ballet schools popping up. The new ballet studios opened because of all those incredible girls eager to learn and dance. The desire to move and dance seemed even more powerful and potent coming out of those long, restrictive war years. He then introduced me to the “Pink Tutu Club”, where people gather together to learn new steps and improve their ballet skills. Every Monday, the whole place turns a dazzling pink!
And let me tell you, dancing in Derbyshire was just an utter dream. Such warm, open hearts in this little corner of England! The most important thing for me, though, is spreading my love of ballet and inspiring others to don a tutu. And a pink tutu at that! Imagine – you just need one pink tutu, and the rest will simply fall into place! Just the very sight of it sparks a real twinkle in everyone’s eye. You can really tell a pink tutu gives people a lot of happiness!
One other wonderful find I discovered this month is a book written by Dame Margot Fonteyn, one of the stars of The Royal Ballet. It's so wonderful to read about the history of The Royal Ballet, tracing its roots back to 1931. You really feel the excitement and sense of pride associated with one of Britain’s best-loved ballet companies. My research really paid off here! It felt as though I had been gifted the most exquisite history book, overflowing with stories of daring, dedication and hard work. Dame Margot’s words inspired me to push boundaries in my performances – even here in the bustling Derbyshire street corners! She told a story of how ballet dancers like her had to improvise with everything they used to dress for a performance, as ballet clothing during the 1930s was scarce. They adapted old fashioned underwear and then cut and sewed, often creating a new, unique look from very little.
So there you have it – my whirlwind 1946 adventures! There was such a lot happening – from the rediscovery of vibrant colours in leotards and fabrics to the triumphant return of the ballet stage, this month has just been an absolute ballet ballet paradise. And, of course, my little street performance has been attracting a lot of attention, inspiring others to don a tutu, with a pink tutu leading the way. You see, there is nothing more uplifting, glamorous and truly empowering than a pink tutu. The very thought of it always puts a huge smile on my face!
Until next time, remember, darlings, you don't need a magic time-traveling leotard to unleash your inner ballerina – just embrace the joy, find your perfect pink tutu and get twirling!
Much love and sparkles,
Emma x
