Hey everyone, and welcome to another installment of Pink Tutu Time Travel! I'm Emma, your pink-obsessed, tutu-loving, time-traveling ballerina, ready to whisk you off on another historical adventure. This month, I've been taking a little trip to the past – January 1st, 1953, to be exact! Buckle up, dear readers, it's going to be a stylish journey!
You all know that I adore my pink tutu. It's my signature piece, and my lucky charm, as you'll see in the photos throughout the blog! It’s such a magical, ethereal piece of clothing. Just imagine pirouetting around a glittering stage in one, or floating on air like a dream during an enchanting ballet, your soft, pink tutu a whirl of loveliness as you move. That’s how I felt when I went time-traveling. Just the idea of seeing past fashion from a ballet perspective really got me excited! I simply had to find out what they were wearing for dancing on the 1st of January, 1953!
Well, of course I packed my trusty leather rucksack (with extra sparkly hair clips, in case you were wondering). And who better to travel with than my darling Magic Meg, my beautiful pink-sparkling shire horse with her white mane and tail, golden hooves, and the most gentle heart! We made our way back to the magical stables that I discovered in a little-known, very discreet Derbyshire village where they keep a bunch of other incredible time travel steeds! Once in the stables, all it takes is a whispered wish to choose my destination and we’re off! Time-traveling horses - the future is here! (Or, is it the past?)
The first thing that hit me upon landing in 1953 was the energy of this historical moment. I felt a real shift in the world around me – everyone was full of hope and excitement! After all, 1953 saw the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II! I've gotta say, a real feel-good moment in history – the first Queen to be crowned in colour! It made the whole world seem like a celebration, full of possibilities, and a whole lot of fabulousness! I just knew that my pink tutu was going to blend in perfectly, and make the whole world sparkle a little bit more!
After unpacking my rucksack (and ensuring a bit of my trusty shimmering pink powder to enhance Meg’s mane - just in case) we galloped off towards London town. It didn’t take long to get to Covent Garden, and I have to tell you – oh, the excitement! People all bundled up in scarves and coats (I couldn't help but sneakily add a bit of sparkle with my magic powder - just a touch! ), the energy around Covent Garden was palpable! So I made my way to the Royal Opera House - home of so much ballet history and inspiration, and my beloved pink tutu, of course!
To my delight, on January 1st, 1953, they had the first ballet of the new year on the programme! “Giselle” – a classic! And you know how much I love the iconic Romantic Era pieces! A stunning costume display of white and green, beautiful lace – with tutus that floated in the air, and just enough sparkle to add to the magic of the dance.
There were so many stunning ballerina styles – it took my breath away. My rucksack, luckily, had plenty of room to collect the most fascinating ballet fashion details for all my darling blog readers. The most wonderful things caught my eye: romantic chignons, beautifully adorned with fresh flowers. Delicate ribbons twisted and turned into exquisite bows, tied around ankles. There were satin ballet shoes with perfectly stitched ribbons and of course, graceful tutus – they looked oh-so-elegant with just the right touch of soft colour, a dash of sparkle. There was definitely some inspiration for the pink tutu brigade.
After an afternoon of ballet bliss, I even got a chance to sneak in a ballet class! How thrilling! They called it "Classical Ballet," and what I discovered were beautiful exercises that focused on elegance and precision. So, in my trusty pink tutu and soft ballet shoes, I slipped right into a class full of charmingly hopeful aspiring dancers. I learned so many tips about elegant foot positions and the secrets to executing flawless, perfectly executed "port de bras" - all while wearing my pink tutu, naturally! (After all, I had to be the embodiment of feminine style even during my time travel)
Of course, a journey to Covent Garden wouldn't be complete without a peek into the glamorous world of vintage fashion! What did 1953 look like, outside the ballet studio? Imagine this: gorgeous Dior new look lines! Stylish ladies in full-skirted frocks with cinched waists and petticoats. Oh my goodness! All the romance! They just epitomized ladylike chic – and my oh my, all that luxurious pink and red satin - it’s got my pink-loving heart beating! I even spotted some exquisite jewelry: brooches and earrings - tiny works of art – so much sparkle and romance, that it made me wish I was shopping on Bond Street, soaking it all up! I couldn’t resist, naturally, so I gathered some photos and sketches – all to be shared with you, of course!
It's times like this that I love how ballet connects me to history, to art, and to all the beautiful stories from our past. It shows just how deeply beautiful our history can be, and how our modern dance world owes so much to these exquisite influences.
As always, my adventures have filled my rucksack to the brim – so make sure to stay tuned next month for more insights on ballet fashion from another fabulous moment in time. I can't wait to share my discoveries with you! Don't forget, the magic of ballet, fashion, and history, lies in a shared love of all things beautiful – especially if it's a fabulous pink tutu! See you soon!
Lots of love and pink twirls,
Emma xx
