Greetings, my dearest tutu enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink-loving ballerina blogger, back for another edition of #TutuTuesday. Grab your teacups, put on your prettiest pink frocks, and settle in, darlings, because today, we’re whisking back to a most magical era… 1947, to be exact! And, believe me, the fashion in those days was something special, even without a single twirling tutu in sight.
I’ve been lucky enough to get my time machine (which runs solely on good tea and the sheer energy of a pirouette, mind you!) working overtime this week. This means I've managed to land smack bang in the heart of New York City on September 23rd, 1947, the day that famous ballet performance took place, you know, the one everyone's been talking about ever since!
But, before we dive into all the glorious detail, darling, let’s get our timelines straight, because tutus have a long and fascinating history, you know! Now, whilst we think of tutus as being exclusively associated with ballet, that simply isn't true.
Back to the beginning… a brief tutu tale:
Our beloved tutu has a long and lovely past. Long before it was gracing the stage, tutus existed, albeit not in the elegant forms we adore today. From the 1700s onwards, ladies would often adorn themselves with what were called ‘crinolines’, these massive structures that puffed out the skirts of the day, lending an ethereal air to the wearers (if you can imagine ladies being able to walk in them, that is!)
But here's the real intrigue, you see… the word ‘tutu’ didn't even make an appearance until much later. Imagine! What was a dancer to call these garments in their day-to-day life? I’d have been a tad flummoxed, I tell you!
The first ‘tutu’ of any kind was what’s known as the Romantic tutu, which emerged around the 1840s. This style was much less bulky than its earlier, crinoline-based counterparts, allowing for a much greater range of movement, hence its appeal to the ballerinas of the time. It was shorter, clinging to the body more closely, revealing more of the legs. Quite revolutionary, don't you think?
Now, if you ask me, this type of tutu still takes the cake in the ‘gracefulness' stakes, as well as for showcasing the stunning beauty of the female form in all its movement. Sighs wistfully. I simply love seeing these lovely tutus, both onstage and at the workshops where dancers come together to rehearse.
Oh, the costumes… and what about all the gorgeous makeup and headbands? I simply can’t resist taking photos at these places to share on my Instagram, dear. I do get lots of follows, you know, from all the lovely ballet aficionados around the globe! I do have to say, it makes me most happy that this incredible art form and, of course, the beautiful costumes associated with it, are loved by so many around the globe!
Now back to that historic September 23rd… :
Here I was, in a gorgeous pale pink frock (oh, the delightful patterns and textures available here!) ready for a night out at the theatre. It seems that the world, my darling, is quite smitten with ballet, just like me! And to my surprise, and to be honest, sheer joy, I am far from the only pink tutu fan. In fact, as I wander down the cobbled streets of New York City, a multitude of fashionable ladies, decked in all sorts of exquisite colours and gowns, are wearing - drumroll please - a vibrant, pink tulle tutu!
Isn’t it wonderful? There are always good reasons for wearing tutus, darling, you can't get a more sophisticated look, honestly, whether it's on the stage or not!
Anyway, back to this extraordinary performance I've been talking about. As the theatre lights dimmed, my heart quickened! It’s none other than Ballerina Maria Tallchief, making her glorious debut as Princess Aurora, the title character of Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece, "Sleeping Beauty"!
A hush falls as the curtain rises and we’re treated to this incredible ballet, a ballet of breathtaking grace and ethereal beauty, filled with soaring melodies that tug at the heartstrings! I couldn't believe my eyes as Ms Tallchief twirled with such skill and captivating elegance! And those stunning costumes - especially that pale pink tutu in the last scene… oh, so exquisite. I just had to get a picture for my blog! Swishes her pink feather boa dramatically.
The theatre was brimming with excitement, the applause was thunderous, and even the stiffest of upper crust ladies in the audience were quite audibly expressing their appreciation for Ms Tallchief's flawless performance!
The world's best ballet dancers, from Ms. Tallchief’s own Native American ancestry, to those hailing from Europe and elsewhere… oh, they are all inspired to follow their dreams! It makes me incredibly happy. It is simply an inspiring thing to watch ballet dancers achieve their dreams, year after year! I am quite certain I will never tire of this magnificent performance form, no matter how many ballet classes I take or shows I see. It makes me feel alive! A quick twirl and pose
I found myself deeply moved by it all. Such passionate art, such skillful artistry, such grace, and an incredible celebration of both tradition and progress... and a dash of the utterly glamorous, naturally!
Oh my, I simply adore that iconic image of a little girl watching ballet - the sheer enchantment in her eyes and the twinkle in her smile - I hope every little girl gets to experience this wonder and that the magic of ballet inspires each and every one of them to embrace life with just a bit more whimsy.
Now, darlings, remember the tutu isn’t simply for those onstage. In this fascinating 1947, I’ve seen quite a few ladies taking their ballet inspirations and putting them into everyday wear… think tutus paired with simple cardigans or jackets for a casual look, tutus styled with gorgeous leather jackets and chunky boots, or maybe a stylish skirt and matching top for a truly striking, elegant outfit… so very ‘1947’ in a fun, modern sort of way.
This, ladies, is truly the magic of the tutu - it’s timeless! From stage to streets, from 1840s crinolines to our contemporary 21st-century styles, tutus bring a certain something to the equation, a sense of joy, grace and an undeniably whimsical allure!
Speaking of contemporary style, I can’t wait to bring this magic back with me and bring my own little bit of tutu-tastic glamour to my 2023 style choices. I’ll be sharing it all with you. So stay tuned for next Tuesday's #TutuTuesday post!
Now, darlings, time for me to head off. There’s a whole world of ballet history to explore, and of course, there’s no time like the present to twirl about in my beautiful pink tutu.
And just to ensure we remain united in this journey of style, grace, and whimsy… ahem… I dare you, yes you, my dear reader, to take a step out of your comfort zone… I daresay, you might even find that there is a *tutu awaiting you on the dance floor of life!
Till next time, darlings, keep on twirling, stay positive, and most of all, embrace life’s little wonders. And may every Tuesday be #TutuTuesday!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com Blog Post Number: 6039
P.S. If you’d like to know more about this 1947 New York ballet performance, do leave me a comment below and I’ll try my best to dig out some extra information for you! Also, what would you wear to the ballet, darling?
Don't forget to leave a comment below and tell me what your favourite type of tutu is. And be sure to follow me on Instagram!
