Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina, back again with another blast from the past for our #TutuTuesday blog! Buckle up, because we're about to journey back in time to the 23rd of September, 1930, and delve into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu.
It’s such a bright and sunny day here in London today, and the scent of lavender and freshly baked cakes hangs in the air – just divine! This is truly a wonderful time to be in the capital, with all the hustle and bustle of theatre land, and the thrill of new productions gracing the stage. I even saw a darling little lady rocking a delightful pink tutu, just like mine, as she twirled down Bond Street earlier. Just seeing a fellow tutu enthusiast brightens my day – don’t you agree?
Right then, let's set the scene back to 1930. Imagine this: London's streets are buzzing with the hum of motorcars and the clanging of the iconic double-decker buses. The city is vibrant and bustling with energy, full of elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen sporting their finest attire, as though each day was an occasion. Can you just picture it?
At the Royal Opera House, they are getting ready for the première of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ and the excitement is palpable, even down here in our 1930s time capsule! It’s this very day, the 23rd of September 1930, that the world saw an incredible performance of Tchaikovsky’s exquisite ballet. And guess what?! The ballet’s leading lady, Alicia Markova, stole the show wearing a stunning, shimmering, pink tutu that, honestly, is still iconic today. Talk about making an entrance!
The evolution of the ballet tutu from those early Romantic-era billowing skirts is absolutely captivating. Can you imagine the dancers in their cumbersome, voluminous skirts? Just think of all those extra layers and petticoats! The gradual transition to the shorter, lighter tulle tutus, offering more freedom of movement and showcasing the graceful lines of the dancers, is quite the story. And believe me, those delicate layers of tulle make a whole lot of difference for a ballerina, providing such fluidity in each and every pirouette and grand jeté!
Imagine being in the audience on this night! Just think of the sheer magic that unfolds on stage: the dazzling costumes, the powerful movements, and the emotions expressed through every leap and turn – it’s all truly breathtaking. The tutu is truly the embodiment of femininity and elegance, a timeless symbol of dance that never fails to capture the heart.
But you know me, I'm all about spreading the joy of tutus to every corner of the world. And I just can't resist this lovely, light pink tulle skirt, even for a journey into the past! My mission, after all, is to get everyone rocking a pink tutu, whether it’s on the stage, down Bond Street, or on your journey home on the train!
So here’s my #TutuTuesday challenge for you all: Go forth and find your own favourite pink tutu, darlings. Then put it on, twirl around with joyful abandon, and share your stories with me on @pink-tutu! Let’s keep the pink tutu flame alive and encourage all those magical twirls and captivating dances!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my lovelies, keep those pink tutus sparkling!
Love,
Emma x
