Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad guide to the fabulous world of dance and fashion! Welcome to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, where every Tuesday we take a whirl through time and discover the amazing evolution of the ballet tutu. It's #TutuTuesday, my lovelies, so grab a cuppa and a slice of cake and let's embark on another delightful journey through time!
Today we find ourselves stepping back to September 17th, 1946! Can you imagine? It's the post-war era, the world is slowly healing, and the excitement of ballet is bubbling over in the air!
And what a week this was! Did you know the renowned Russian ballet dancer, Irina Baronova, performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York? It's hard to believe a little over 70 years ago such an elegant and enchanting woman graced the stage. Now that is some inspiration for a pink tutu, right?!
Let's rewind the tutu tape, shall we?
Back in 1946, tutus weren't quite as daring as they are today. Imagine a beautiful ballerina gracefully twirling in a romantic, long-skirted tutu with layers of tulle cascading down to the floor.
Imagine if, oh, maybe I just walked right onto the stage in this magnificent confection of tulle I've got on right now?! (Yes, it's pink, darling! You can't possibly miss it!). That'd get the audience swooning! Oh, how I long for the days of a fuller tutu, like they had in the early days. There was so much grace and artistry involved. Imagine a swirling cloud of pink! How spectacular that would be!
Now, while a ballet-loving girl like myself might have adored a fluffy, flowing tulle masterpiece like this in 1946, I know what you're thinking. We need more movement!
And guess what, you're absolutely right, dear reader! Just a few years later, in the late 1940s and 1950s, the ballet world saw the evolution of the tutu-de-jour, which allowed the ballerinas more freedom and elegance for even more elaborate steps and complex moves.
What happened to those big tutus? Well, they were relegated to the classics like 'Giselle'. The ballerina in 'Giselle', isn't she beautiful? It takes quite a strong ballerina to navigate those long, swirling layers and look effortless in every step. It makes for an absolutely charming and iconic image, but when you've got the power and grace of ballerinas in the 1950s, it’s not surprising that there was a shift towards lighter, more modern silhouettes.
We're really starting to see the era of the "Modern Ballerina."
Imagine how thrilling this time period must have been. Think of it, ladies! Imagine yourself as one of those magnificent ballerinas! With a perfect pink tutu of course, you could dance the night away! How marvelous to have all that free movement! The modern tutu brought so much innovation in movement and, well, let's be honest, fashion.
(Take it from me! There's nothing more lovely than a pink tutu! Oh darling, what can I say! Don't tell anyone, but my time travel is secretly funded by performances... I always make sure I have at least three different pink tutus on me for each performance.)
Speaking of performances! There is nothing quite like the magic of live ballet. I’m lucky, my friends. Because I’ve had the pleasure of attending countless ballet performances in all corners of the globe – that’s another thing I adore. Traveling! I've taken so many lovely train journeys around the world in the name of ballet. A little-known fact about me is that I'm absolutely a Derbyshire girl at heart. But I feel happiest with a ballet show nearby!
Right now I’m standing in the center of Covent Garden! Oh, this city is so full of history, creativity, and glamour. But did you know? In the 1940s, London, much like many other cities, had experienced some challenging times after the war. Can you imagine how amazing it must have been for these communities to be graced with the art of ballet? It would have been a beautiful beacon of hope in times of rebuilding and rekindling. It makes me appreciate our lovely theatre scene, doesn’t it?
So, how about you lovelies? Where was ballet taking your hearts on September 17th, 1946? And don’t be shy, share your most beloved memories of pink tutus and magical ballet performances. Tell me everything! And let’s keep the tutu flame burning bright, together, ladies. After all, we can’t get enough of these graceful fashion pieces!
Don’t forget, my dear pink-tutu enthusiasts! Every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday! Don't miss a single blog! See you all next week for another twirlingly delicious exploration into the history of our beloved tutu. Until then, go forth and spread the love of pink tutus, darlings. After all, every day is a beautiful dance with life.
Keep on twirling!
Emma
