Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another whirlwind journey through the enchanting world of ballet history!
Today marks #TutuTuesday blog post number 6179 - can you believe it? I am so excited for you to join me in this fabulous trip, especially as today's date is EXTRA special: May 30th, 1950!
The year is 1950, my darlings! It's a time when Paris is humming with a new, bright energy. The world's leading ballerinas are on the move, creating a ballet boom that's captivating everyone from New York to Moscow! The tutu, of course, is at the very heart of this fabulous fashion movement. And, as a lifelong aficionado of the ballerina look - what else can I say but - darling, let’s take a peek at some fabulous history!
Today’s Tutu Tuesday is all about what’s happening in the world of ballet fashion in May 1950. I'm so excited to share my insights and show you the most glamorous styles. Oh, you know I wouldn't let a trip to the past happen without the perfect outfit! And guess what? My current tutu is inspired by this exact time period.
The Tutu in Paris: Imagine the most beautiful shades of pink imaginable - yes, darling, all the colours are making their way onto the Parisian stage. This isn’t your typical pale pink; it's rich and bold, as the tutu blooms into an even more spectacular centrepiece, with those delicate ruffles taking the spotlight. This was the golden era of ballet and a moment when tutus reached a pinnacle of elegance and dramatic beauty.
Now, as a Derbyshire girl, you might imagine my first stop for this particular time trip is Covent Garden. However, I couldn’t let myself be in 1950 and not head to the home of dance - Paris! It’s like an explosion of fashion! Imagine strolling down the streets of the Latin Quarter or through the elegant courtyards of the Champs-Élysées with these glamorous ballet outfits gracing every window, the fabrics all so beautiful. From the Palais Garnier's legendary ballets to the intimate performances of smaller theaters, tutus are truly taking over!
But what was new for 1950?
The trend that's capturing everyone's imagination? The tutu, of course! But, imagine tutus made of silk so thin, they seem like gossamer dreams. They were airy, free, a joyful contrast to the structured styles of earlier decades! And, imagine the way they danced in the spotlight, a true symbol of movement, freedom, and femininity!
We're seeing tutus taking inspiration from all kinds of designs! In the spirit of Romanticism, some of the tutus take their inspiration from Romantic poetry and the delicate and ethereal designs.
Another key innovation? The introduction of synthetic fabrics. This was HUGE. While the look and texture remained delicate, this revolutionary material added more versatility to the tutu design and was also incredibly resilient, ideal for those spinning pirouettes, my darling.
Did you know… The Paris Opera Ballet’s choreographer Serge Lifar introduced tutus with more depth and volume at the time!
A Ballet Enthusiast’s Paradise: The Palais Garnier:
One of my must-do stops while travelling through Paris? It has to be a trip to the Palais Garnier, right? Oh, it is simply bursting with magnificent energy and artistic brilliance! Every performance is a captivating event, not just in the theatre itself but everywhere throughout Paris.
If you can picture this: I just got back from a truly mesmerizing performance by The Paris Opera Ballet! The energy in the theater was so palpable! I’m already thinking about how to recreate the magic.
One thing you might want to know if you go is that the performances in 1950 are truly special! There's just this enchantment you get watching dancers move, all dressed in the romantic tutus, creating magical, flowing performances in a room alive with anticipation and elegance. And let’s not forget - every glance at the Parisian crowd brings out the most stylishly elegant tutus imaginable, inspiring so much inspiration. I even noticed the men were sporting new styles too.
But it’s not all about ballet!
For those who’d like to dress in the spirit of this time but don’t dance ballet, imagine the look. It's almost as though 1950’s Paris had caught ballet fever. Everything is about that airy, carefree look, but with an added splash of flair and colour, much like the graceful tutus swirling across the Parisian stages.
Just picture yourself in a full-skirted pink dress and a simple cardigan (no big fluffy cardies!) That simple but elegant touch makes every Parisian outfit just a little more glamorous! And then you must accessorise with ballet shoes and delicate, whimsical accessories – a pearl necklace, dainty earrings. Oh, don't forget the ballerina buns for an extra elegant touch! And then I really suggest, darling, a pink scarf.
It’s time to embrace that ballet spirit! I love my trip, but the Derbyshire girl in me needs her regular cup of tea, but I’ll have to make mine French. Now, who's ready for some Ballet Street, my dear?
Don’t forget to follow me for more fashion tips from past, present and future, every Tuesday on Pink-Tutu.com and catch the next #TutuTuesday in just a week's time! Don't forget, a pink tutu is just as appropriate in your life as it is mine!
Ciao! xx Emma
Follow Emma's Adventures at www.Pink-Tutu.com