Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, and welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. I'm posting this from my favourite Parisian café, right beside the iconic Eiffel Tower, because... well, Paris is simply magical, wouldn't you agree? It's a tutu-lover's paradise! And, for my blog post number 6185, we're stepping back in time to the 11th of July 1950!
Now, this is a very exciting date in ballet history! Why? Well, the darling Marguerite Yourcenar, a remarkable author who captivated the world with her prose and sharp wit, was born on this very day! Born in Brussels, Belgium, Yourcenar truly embodied the spirit of the tutu: graceful, strong, and utterly captivating. Imagine her, writing tales of myth and wonder in a charming pink tutu – how delightful!
Let's delve into the tutu world of this fascinating time period. You know, 1950 was the dawn of a glamorous new era for the ballet. Gone were the days of overly frilled, overly-decorated tutus; now, ballet was going modern, sleek, and elegant, like a delicate, swirling pink ribbon against a vibrant stage backdrop!
Just imagine, darling: The New York City Ballet was about to burst onto the world stage with a brand-new energy! Choreographers like George Balanchine were revolutionising the dance world, introducing bolder movements and revolutionary designs – not just for the stage, but for the costumes too! It was a wonderful time for tutus!
Let's picture the ballet scenes in Paris! Paris in 1950, oh my, a place of dazzling lights, glittering balls, and, of course, incredible ballet! Just stepping off the train and into the bustling city with its elegant cobblestone streets – oh, the romance! And those tutus? Imagine tulle swirling and floating across the stage, a kaleidoscope of colours like pink champagne bubbling under the stage lights. Every performance must have felt like a magical dream come true!
I wish I could travel to 1950 in a puff of pink tulle just to catch a show at the Opéra Garnier, the Palais Garnier. Can you imagine? To see the Parisian audience, so sophisticated, with their enchanting expressions, dressed in their best frocks, and me, in my beautiful pink tutu, swept away by the dancing on the stage! Now, wouldn't that be a time to remember?
But back to reality – remember that I travel through time funded by my own ballet performances. You see, my little time travelling fund gets boosted every time I give a dazzling performance at the beautiful theatres of Derbyshire! And when I'm not busy saving up for another fabulous trip, you can often find me shopping for vintage tutus – you wouldn't believe the incredible pieces you can find if you know where to look! My latest find is a delicate, feathered tutu that would look lovely on a vintage ballerina from this period, don't you think?
Let's just say that for me, every Tuesday is a bit like a #TutuTuesday! This past week has been particularly lovely, I attended a charming little theatre performance right in my home town of Derbyshire! A darling production of Swan Lake was the perfect blend of traditional grace and dramatic flair – oh, and did I mention how much I love the music of Tchaikovsky? I simply melt every time I hear those gorgeous melodies.
The tutu magic is simply endless! From travelling the world to catching ballet performances, this time travel life keeps me on my toes and in a whirl of tutus. I just hope that all you amazing ballet enthusiasts are finding your own magical experiences – whether it's finding a perfect pink tutu or stepping into the world of a stage performance, ballet holds something extraordinary for every soul.
Remember to stay curious, stay chic, and, of course, embrace the magic of the tutu!
Love,
Emma xx
P.S. Have you seen my new blog? www.pink-tutu.com. I’m posting #TutuTuesday once a week!
