Welcome back, my darlings, to my little corner of the internet! It's me, Emma, your resident pink-tutu-loving ballerina, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to #TutuTuesday for the 5190th time! This week, we're waltzing back in time to June 16th, 1931! Imagine it: the year the Chrysler Building reached for the sky in New York, while across the pond, Londoners were getting their groove on with the latest jazz rhythms. Oh, what a fabulous time to be alive!
So, what's the big story in the world of ballet today? Well, let me tell you! You might be surprised to learn that today, June 16th, 1931, is a pivotal date for the very tutu you're seeing in this lovely picture! This picture is me, obviously, just popping out of the time-travel portal after having had the most magnificent time in New York! I found a lovely little store that sold the cutest pink tutu (can you believe, even way back in 1931 they had shops with amazing pink tutus!), and I had to show you! Pink and ballet, is that not the best pairing?
Anyway, as I was saying, this very day marked a groundbreaking performance that shifted the ballet world as we know it! A brilliant young choreographer, George Balanchine, debuted his new ballet * Apollo, * a groundbreaking work of modernist choreography that was absolutely captivating. You're probably wondering: How did this revolutionise tutus? Well, let's say, Balanchine didn't take things easy on our tutu-wearing stars! He dared to make them do things nobody thought possible: wild spins, jumps that defied gravity, and moves that had the whole theatre audience gasping for air. *
Did I mention I saw the show in London the next week, I'd found my own tutu just in case I could meet the ballerinas, and my lovely, I must say, absolutely divine, silk pink tutu had the stars of the show saying it was the "most delicious" tutu, oh how proud I felt. The other people on the train to London had taken my picture, so it was even in the paper too, * **London's Leading Pink Tutu Fan! * I hope it becomes my nickname! I have also included the paper, this would be so great for my collection. *
But you know me - I’m not all about big leaps and grand gestures, darling. It’s the little details, the delicate touches that truly make a ballet unforgettable! You can bet Balanchine didn't leave those out of * Apollo. * The choreography emphasized flowing lines, a sense of pure beauty, and the tutu was a beautiful compliment to those. The shorter tutu he favoured, with a more simple shape and lighter construction allowed for a lightness of movement. This was a big leap forward (no pun intended) in the tutu world! It's all about allowing the dancer to express the most dynamic and elegant lines and shapes - just think of the beauty and artistry!
Of course, the tutu didn't just transform because of Balanchine. Fashion was always a part of the equation, and the Roaring Twenties were a fabulous era for that, you see. They'd cut away excess fabric in dresses, the dresses became a lot more free-flowing and the silhouette became lighter, shorter, and more athletic - and that very essence reflected onto the stage!
Now, imagine those shorter, lighter tutus with vibrant colours and luxurious fabrics! I've tried to find some images online but I am stuck in the 30s right now so we'll just have to dream this one together for now. Oh, what a joy, the 30s tutus looked like they were a vision straight from a dreamscape! Maybe, that's what caught my attention at that shop I saw, it must have been the very latest! Oh to be back there, but it's best I don't try my time travelling until next Tuesday or else the ballet will be so disrupted because of my fantastic tutus! Oh my word. Anyway back to what we were saying! The combination of that elegant silhouette and bold style gave ballet this incredible look – almost like an expression of pure, joyous movement!
And speaking of joyful movements, darling, just remember this next time you see a ballet with that lovely shorter tutu: Balanchine’s work, * *Apollo, * was revolutionary! *
*So, this week’s takeaway, darlings, is that every tutu has a story, a connection to the people who made them. * Every twist and twirl is infused with that heritage, with decades of evolution and passion, and *with each performance, that spirit shines brightly! *
Now, let’s go out and dance our own story! Don’t forget to share your favourite tutu stories, and maybe, just maybe, a picture of your latest pink-tutu acquisition with me on the #TutuTuesday tag, if you dare, why not do it in pink, and you might find a special prize awaits, but it is strictly pink. * *
**You know, I'm starting to think the world could do with a little more pink... *
*Until next time, *
With love,
Emma
*P.S. Don't forget to pop over to *www.pink-tutu.com **for a peek at all my adventures, ballet discoveries and fabulous pink tutu pics, it's not to be missed darling! *
