Welcome back, darling tutu enthusiasts! This is Emma here, your #TutuTuesday host, bringing you all things fluffy and fabulous from the annals of ballet history! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to put on our pinkest tutus and take a journey through time. This week, we're swirling back to 1931, the year I'm wearing my newest creation: a tulle dream of soft blush pink adorned with sequins that shimmer like the dew on a summer rose. And while the year 1931 may sound a tad dull, trust me, dear readers, it was a blooming ballet year!
Before we hop aboard our imaginary steam train to 1931, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you lovely souls who keep me going with your comments, your shares, your smiles. It means the world to know you love #TutuTuesday! And a huge thank you to everyone who came to see my recent performance of "The Nutcracker" at the London Palladium. It was an absolute joy dancing in front of a roaring audience, their eyes aglow with wonder as Clara and I made our grand entrance. Seeing the joy on their faces reminds me why I love this life: to inspire with every pirouette and every jeté.
Right, enough with the mushy stuff! Let's delve into our 1931 #TutuTuesday, shall we?
A Glittering Year in Ballet
1931 was a glorious year for the ballet world, full of vibrant new productions and dazzling talent! It's difficult to pinpoint one momentous occasion as being the highlight of this year in the ballet calendar. There are simply too many to mention, but I have chosen three events to delve deeper into today!
Firstly, the revival of the beloved ballet, “Swan Lake", in London by the esteemed choreographer, Nicholas Sergeyev. This event sent the theatre world into a whirlwind of excitement! You see, it was a very daring move at the time. This ballet had not been seen on stage in the British capital for almost three decades! Imagine the anticipation, my darlings, for the graceful ballerinas, the swirling swans, and the thunderous waltz that had been missed for so long!
*Secondly, I couldn't not mention the birth of a legend! In May 1931, the world welcomed a new soul onto the stage: Margot Fonteyn! She was, of course, to become one of the most beloved and iconic ballerinas of all time. Now, can you believe her first professional performance was at just sixteen years old? *
* And lastly, we have the launch of Serge Diaghilev’s "The Sleeping Beauty". This production is the perfect example of a true spectacle for all the senses! Can you imagine? A grand stage filled with stunning sets, costumes like dreams, and a ballet infused with drama, emotion, and breathtaking choreography. This was, and still is, the kind of ballet that makes your jaw drop and your heart flutter. "The Sleeping Beauty" was a triumph of imagination and creative vision, and is considered one of Diaghilev’s most magnificent contributions to the ballet world.*
Fashionable Delights
I couldn't possibly end a #TutuTuesday without mentioning the latest fashion trends! It wouldn't be a trip back in time without some sartorial delight! You wouldn’t catch me dead (or at least not without my tutu) wearing those infamous ‘drop waist’ dresses! That's the style they loved, with long flowing skirts and a skirt line that hangs almost an inch or two below the natural waistline, like an exotic bird soaring on high! You could also see a splash of vibrant prints and patterns, giving off an almost psychedelic air. And, darling, you just cannot go without a delightful toque on your head. This delightful headpiece is very reminiscent of the lovely Victorian era, giving you the perfect mix of stylish charm and sophisticated simplicity!
Oh, the possibilities of time travel, eh? You never know what glorious styles you’ll discover on the way! The great thing is, we don’t need to be a time traveler to capture the elegance of those glorious years. A little imagination and a sprinkle of creativity and the fashions of yesteryear can find their way onto our modern-day ensembles.
And now for the main event:
What was happening on 1st September, 1931? Oh darling, what a delightful occasion! It was the birth of none other than the divine *Doris Day! *A star who took the world by storm with her gorgeous smile and infectious tunes, radiating happiness to all. **We owe Doris a huge debt of gratitude! Not only was she a a singing superstar but a delightful screen actress, dancing across movie screens to captivate hearts everywhere!
Well, there we have it! Another whirlwind journey through time completed. Don't forget to visit my website, www.pink-tutu.com, and share your favourite ballet stories, or perhaps what you think about my latest creation! And be sure to stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday! We're taking you to an incredible destination! Oh darling, you're not going to want to miss it! And don't forget to get your tutu on, and live your best dance-filled life! See you all next Tuesday!
Emma, the pinkest tutu in Derbyshire 💖🩰
