Hello dears! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where tutus are always in style and life is a beautiful ballet! It's me, Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and this week I'm bringing you back to the 24th of October, 1944. Buckle up, lovelies, we're going on a trip down memory lane!
Now, this date might not be a big deal in the world of fashion today, but trust me, it holds a very special place in the history of the tutu! In fact, this is a bit of a bittersweet story. See, back in the day, everyone was looking at the "New Look" created by the amazing Christian Dior - it's what kicked off a fashion revolution! But let's face it, the "New Look" was all about wide skirts and glamorous silhouettes. And while we all love a bit of fashion extravagance, there wasn't much room for the delicate loveliness of a tutu!
Luckily, this time around, I got to wear a gorgeous pink tulle tutu with a beautiful pink bodice. As I am very familiar with fashion trends throughout the history of ballet, I feel like I am on top of the times. I have even started thinking about my new design of a "new look" pink tulle tutu and think this will have great success when I travel back to 1947 and perform for Christian Dior himself.
It makes me feel quite happy to say that while fashion may have been getting a bit full skirt-ed, there were still a few places that held on to the graceful simplicity of a tutu. I had such a wonderful time last week. I travelled to New York on the train and watched a magical production of the "Nutcracker" at the New York City Ballet, they even have their own school. The tutus were exquisite - all beautifully made with layers and layers of tulle. It’s not so different today – still amazing! A huge credit goes to the dancers too. There is such grace and skill required in this ballet artform. There is just so much talent in the ballet world - all the artists from designers to composers are part of a wonderful tradition!
You know, this particular day also marks the premiere of the lovely "La Boutique Fantastique" at the London Opera House. I managed to nab myself a seat in the front row - divine! This production wasn't about the ballet tutu as it was performed in en pointe - there wasn't even any "skirt"! Instead, it was a true celebration of Russian and Italian character dance, showcasing costumes that mirrored the colourful characters and moods. It reminded me how important the stories behind each tutu are. From the romantic fluffiness of a ballet tutu, to the sparkling grandeur of a showgirl's feathery number, it's the stories these outfits tell that truly enchant us, isn't it?
Oh, and speaking of stories! You guys have to check out the new ballet "The Great Waltz"! Imagine a beautiful, swirling tale about music and dance, told through the stunning world of Viennese ballrooms and waltzing. With its captivating soundtrack and intricate choreography, "The Great Waltz" really embodies everything a ballerina at heart wants to see! It truly inspires me to see the impact that beautiful movement and incredible performances have on people! The magic just never stops, does it?
Now, before I disappear back through the annals of time to catch my next ballet performance, let's all embrace the glorious power of the tutu! Even though it may not always be the star of the fashion show, let's not forget its graceful, swirling beauty and how much joy it brings to us all. And if I'm lucky, maybe someday we can all waltz into a world where wearing a pink tutu is the norm. Wouldn't that be magical?
Until next time, darling! Keep dancing!
With a flourish and a twirl,
Emma
Pink-tutu.com
