Hiya, darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday delve into the magical world of ballet history! Today we're jetting back to 20th September, 1949, just a little over seventy years ago, but a world away in terms of fashion, especially when it comes to our beloved tutu! Grab your favourite tea and a biscuit, settle in, and let's waltz through time together!
You know I'm obsessed with trains, right? Well, today I'm hopping aboard a rather swish Pullman car, bound for New York City! Why, you ask? Well, my lovelies, September 20th, 1949, saw the opening of the New York City Ballet, and this, my dear friends, is a massive moment in ballet history. Think of it like the grand opening of a new department store, only this one is filled with breathtaking dancing and stunning, graceful tutus!
Now, 1949 is a turning point for the tutu. You see, the world of ballet was going through a bit of a Romantic Renaissance. Gone were the days of long, flowing skirts, like something straight out of Sleeping Beauty. The new generation was embracing the short and sweet, a revolutionary style with the tutu now showing more leg and celebrating the dancer's incredible artistry through their every movement!
Think about it, ladies, a short tutu gives us the freedom to fly! It emphasizes the elegance and athleticism of each jump, each leap, each graceful pirouette. It's all about highlighting the artistry of the dancer, and showing off their incredible physique!
Don't get me wrong, the old styles still had their place, like those elegant, dramatic costumes you see in classic ballets like "Swan Lake". But 1949 marks a moment when ballet steps out of the Victorian era and into a brighter, bolder era! Think modern, streamlined silhouettes with just a touch of the romantic spirit.
Remember those big, puffy, full tutus we often associate with classical ballets? That was the Romantic tutu, darling, born in the mid 19th century. This was a statement of opulence, femininity and fantasy. It took the idea of a ballerina floating and soaring, and turned it into a beautiful spectacle!
But the time for the big tutus, the grandes jetƩes and those pas de deux full of extravagant jumps and dramatic flourishes had begun to change, even before 1949!
Fast forward to 1948! What happens, you ask? Well, the groundbreaking George Balanchine steps on the scene, and his dance moves completely revolutionized ballet. Forget about the frilly, romantic fluff! Balanchine was all about speed, athleticism, and showing off the beauty of a dancerās body.
His creations gave us the modern tutu! Shorter, more streamlined, focusing on the beauty of the line and shape of the body. Think less tulle, more leg, more emphasis on athleticism.
Balanchine took ballet right out of the dusty archives and threw it onto the contemporary stage where he made it modern, sleek and exciting. It was almost like he was saying, "Let's make ballet exciting and relevant for a new generation!ā He made ballet fashion, you know, and not just for stuffy Victorian women and aristocratic gentlemen!
Oh, but don't think we've forgotten about the big, full tutu altogether! They still hold their place in classics like "Swan Lake" and "Giselle", creating an atmosphere of wonder and spectacle! These tutus remind us of that Victorian era's beauty and the drama of those iconic stories.
But I'm definitely more into this new "less is more" aesthetic. That's why I love those streamlined tutus with the elegant, simple lines, showing off the dancerās graceful form and all those amazing movements. It's a testament to the modern dancer's strength, power, and, dare I say, it even makes the ballerina's movements more impactful and mesmerizing!
Today, on the opening night of the New York City Ballet, there were plenty of opportunities for dancers to strut their stuff in their new shorter, more streamlined tutus! I can just imagine those sparkling, delicate layers of tulle, catching the stage lights!
I may have missed out on seeing Balanchineās Serenade, his first production that was featured on the opening night. But don't worry, my little tutus, my diary says it was a huge hit! They're calling it a classic of modern ballet. That just shows you that the tutu's evolution is a thrilling journey!
You know I love getting inspiration from the past for my own wardrobe, and my #TutuTuesday outfit is definitely channeling that modern, romantic style of 1949. Iām sporting a sleek, simple tutu in a deep shade of pink, paired with a beautiful silk scarf and a few elegant pearls. I'm not going for all-out glamour. Instead, I'm focusing on showcasing the delicate elegance of my new tutu!
This look is so simple but so chic! And it's just right for those rainy days when Iām wandering around London and just need to bring a touch of sparkle and colour to my day.
So my lovelies, remember to look for tutus in both these styles, the long romantic ones and the modern sleek tutus! Think about all those wonderful ballet pieces from that time, they're sure to get you feeling extra romantic and girly, ready to swirl around and make every day a TutuTuesday.
Just remember, when you see those gorgeous tutus on the stage, or in your own wardrobe, think back to that exciting year, 1949, *when the modern tutu revolutionized ballet. Remember, darling, the history of the tutu is not just about dancing, itās a history of *fashion, expression, and change!
And as always, remember to share your own #TutuTuesday pictures and stories with me on the Pink Tutu blog! You can find my latest tutu outfit in my newest post! I can't wait to see what tutus you're wearing this week!
Stay fabulous and keep those tutus spinning, Emma xoxo
