Hello darling tutu lovers!
Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! I’m Emma, your tutu-tastic time traveller, and this week we're swirling back to 25th September 1934. I know what you're thinking - September? - and yes, we're skipping a few months this week because it's a particularly exciting date in the history of ballet, so pack your dancing shoes and get ready to twirl with me through the archives!
You see, darlings, this week is a special date because it's the birthday of one of ballet's most captivating figures – Margot Fonteyn! Isn't she fabulous? With her grace and elegance, Fonteyn was the epitome of classic ballet, a ballerina whose legacy has truly stood the test of time.
Today I’m getting ready to hop on the train to London - a mere few hours to Paddington and then a quick hop to Covent Garden – it's just bursting with exciting shows. There's an all-star performance at the Royal Opera House tonight, and I hear Fonteyn herself is making a special appearance! Can you imagine? It's an absolute honour to be alive in the same era as such an amazing talent.
So, where were tutus back on this glorious date, 25th September 1934? Let’s step back in time. Now, 1934 was a fascinating era, fashion-wise, the roaring 20s had settled into a more streamlined aesthetic. Think soft colours, flowing fabrics, and elegant, easy-to-wear dresses. But the world of ballet was keeping it a little more traditional, darlings, with their long tutus!
Remember, at this time, ballerinas were still working within the constraints of the Romantic Era, where those massive, multi-layered tutus, like clouds of white, were the height of ballet fashion. Now, I wouldn't be caught dead in a multi-layered nightmare like that, but they were perfect for showcasing the ballerinas' incredible grace and athleticism. The tutus weren't just about the performance though, darling, they were also symbolic. White was a symbol of purity, representing the lightness and beauty of the female form. Imagine it! Like tiny dancing angels floating across the stage!
But I have to tell you, while we admire the romantic elegance, even then, the tutus were a bit cumbersome! It wasn't just a matter of pirouette-ing with a dozen layers of tulle clinging to you. These tutus had wire cages underneath! You know, to give them their glorious shape? Those little cages were no joke. Imagine all those wire bones keeping your tutu in its shape and holding everything up! It's enough to make me want to have a cuppa tea and a sit down!
In the late 1930s, something magical was starting to change in the world of tutus. Ballet started embracing new forms, new ideas. Think Balanchine and his revolutionary ballets. His innovative choreography changed the shape of dance and naturally, the tutus had to adapt!
This new era brought a little bit of daring, a touch of modern flair to the tutus. A few fewer layers and the tutus were shorter - more fluid, with just a whisper of romantic flair. This gave ballerinas the freedom to leap, twirl, and express themselves even more - just think of Fonteyn, she embraced this evolution, becoming a modern dance legend! It's like, darlings, fashion in ballet went from graceful and elegant to breathtaking and electrifying.
But you know what, we've come a long way, baby! I have to say, in this glorious modern world of tutus, we don't just twirl in them at the ballet; we twirl everywhere! From fashion shows to music festivals and even, yes, even just at home! Think about all the gorgeous pink tutus you could be sporting this week! We've broken free of all those wire cages and long skirts - and let me tell you, that's a glorious thing, darling!
But back to today’s show, it's just moments until we step into Covent Garden, with anticipation rising higher than a ballerina's leap! As soon as the curtain rises, I'll grab my trusty portable typewriter and write down all the sartorial secrets of the day - there's no one better than me at a live fashion blog!
So, keep your tutus sparkling, my darlings. The journey through tutu history continues!
Until next Tuesday,
Your #PinkTutuBlogger,
Emma xx
P.S. Remember, a pink tutu can bring happiness to any day, even without a time machine!
