Welcome back, darling dears! Emma here, your ever-so-slightly-obsessed-with-pink-tutu-fashion blogger from Derbyshire. It's been a whole month, but I've been awfully busy, you see. July 7th, 1946 - just the date to spark my wanderlust. A glorious summer's day, the world emerging from a rather unpleasant period, and you just KNOW that leotard fashion must have been abuzz with possibilities! Oh, and guess what? I'm on a mission! Not only to dance my way through time in my magical sparkly leotard but to inspire every single one of you to rock a pink tutu with pride! (Even the fellas, I'm talking to you!)
This is Post #1051, darling readers! You can find me, and all the fabulous history we’re exploring, over at www.pink-tutu.com!
A Day in New York... Or Should I Say, the Big Apple of Ballet!Today, I’ve just popped in on a fabulously fashionable crowd in New York! Oh my, what an experience. Everyone was dressed in those glamorous little skirts! I think they were called "Gidget skirts". It was all such a thrilling blend of postwar excitement and playful, youthful styles. It was actually the first day of the second summer season for New York City Center, and you can just imagine the buzz around town! They had a special “Festival of Ballet” lined up, featuring some truly incredible performances.
As I drifted into the back of a quaint little tea shop, listening to some fabulous jazz music, I just couldn't help but get a taste for this time. Imagine it, darling dears, the excitement in the air! Just like when we find a new favourite dress in our wardrobes - everything felt fresh and alive. Now, the reason this trip is particularly delightful, well, it's not only about those Gidget skirts (you'll be seeing them in pink on my next outfit post!), but it’s about the world's ballet stars.
Oh my goodness!
Imagine being surrounded by the legendary dancers of the day!
That's right, darlings, the one and only Maria Tallchief was right here in New York, a star already in her own right. And of course, I spotted the gorgeous, iconic, and effortlessly stylish Moira Shearer (a dancer turned movie star - so exciting!), and even the fantastic Agnes De Mille! There she was, gracing the stage in her exquisite dance sequences, the queen of contemporary ballet at that moment! It was thrilling, darling dears, absolutely thrilling!
And then there were the boys, let's not forget those boys, the dancers, darling dears!
Now I'm all for fabulous dancers in elegant attire (that means tights!), but, just look at this time period. These men, dancing their hearts out with such effortless grace in their gorgeous leotards! They’d have the most gorgeous form-fitting leotards and those fabulously tailored practice costumes. The attention to detail was divine! It just inspired my dance spirit beyond anything I've ever imagined.
Oh!
Speaking of inspiring, one thing that really impressed me about this time was their incredible commitment to sharing ballet and dance.
Did you know they actually set up a "Dance Division" just for the Ballet Festival? How amazing! The community was buzzing!
There was so much passion around them all. I truly believe this period of the 40s marked an explosion of beauty and grace in leotard fashion, a world ready to embrace something truly special - just like pink tutus!
Leotards Across the Globe: It’s All About Fashion, Darling!Remember that my dear friend Penelope has just arrived in Italy? I think she mentioned Rome! She sent me a post card this morning. Can you believe it? There are beautiful photos of her with a group of Italian ballet dancers. You just can't imagine the costumes! They looked just out of a fairytale - those delicate, beautiful fabrics, the vibrant colours, the absolutely exquisite detail...and I even saw one ballerina with a little tiara. I was mesmerized, darling dears! The grace and beauty - they reminded me why I have to dance my way through time. This fashion, darling, is just too inspiring.
Oh, Penelope! I'm already writing back to her, can't wait for the next letter!
Back to My Mission, Darling Dears!Right then, I've got to dash, time for me to step out in my pink tutu! After all, I’m hoping to inspire all the dancers, from Italy to America and even my own corner of Derbyshire to keep the joy of ballet alive with a pink tutu!
I’m looking forward to the rest of this historical ballet fashion journey. I’ve got so much planned for the rest of July and beyond! Keep your eyes on my Instagram page and my website at www.pink-tutu.com for exciting glimpses into these captivating times.
Remember darling dears, always choose to dance your way through life, because with a little twirl, a smile, and a splash of pink, we can achieve absolutely anything!
Until next month, darlings. Stay sparkly and twirl on!
Emma xx
