Hello my darlings!
Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday blog - your one-stop shop for all things tutu history! As usual, I've zipped through time in my fabulous pink tutu (which is just bursting with sparkles this week!) to bring you a little slice of ballet fashion from the past. This week, my time machine took me to the 21st of November 1950, and oh, my dears, the fashion scene was just thrilling!
This week's #TutuTuesday post is number 6204, so if you're a regular here, you'll know I absolutely love history! And especially ballet history, and that's where tutus come in.
Now, let's set the scene: picture London in 1950. We’re just coming out of the war, so there's a sense of hope and new beginnings in the air, and that spirit definitely translates to fashion. London’s bustling with life and creativity, and everyone’s embracing the joie de vivre.
What I absolutely adore about the ballet in this period is that tutus are still very much a focal point!
A little about the ballet tutu in 1950: The iconic, romantic, and rather voluminous tutu that we’ve come to love was still going strong, albeit slightly more structured than it would become in later decades. Think beautiful layered tulle with a little more control and less whimsy, making it perfect for showcasing incredible athleticism and precise dance movements.
But let’s not forget, the real stars of this era were the ballerinas! These ladies weren’t afraid to show off their graceful figures. Think Margot Fonteyn - elegant and exquisite in every way, making tutus seem like an effortless extension of herself. Then there was the charismatic Alicia Markova - such captivating energy, she practically sparkled onstage!
On 21st November 1950, these two extraordinary ladies would have graced the stage in their own right, showcasing the absolute best of ballet artistry! This time travel is brilliant!
Imagine - I’m able to see all this, just by the magic of my sparkly, time-traveling tutu. That’s the beauty of it all, darlings! And of course, I just have to share this all with you!
This was also the era when a little gem called "The Tales of Hoffmann" was making its debut. This fantastical ballet, inspired by the famous opera, captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences all across London and beyond! Now, imagine a tutu perfectly embodying a magical dream... I'm pretty sure there's one out there for you!
Speaking of ballet and the fabulous art of wearing tutus, my friends and I just love exploring the Covent Garden Market on Saturdays. This bustling market was already quite well-known back in 1950 for its stalls selling all kinds of delicious food, unique souvenirs, and oh my - you guessed it, tutus! Imagine finding the most perfect sparkly pink tutu just for yourself! I can already feel it now, and can you imagine me performing on a little impromptu stage?! The crowd would go wild!
You know, wearing tutus and taking my little travel adventures just wouldn't be possible if I didn't get to travel on my fabulous trains, darling! You'd be surprised how many vintage tutus have come up on journeys to London or Manchester. It's not a stretch to think about my own, sparkly-pink tutu-covered suitcase, full of travel-sized essentials... because who doesn’t love a good weekend getaway?
It’s the perfect excuse to hop on the train to London and grab a delightful cup of tea at a sweet little tea room after a day spent perusing vintage shops and browsing the market stalls. I've actually discovered so many amazing tutus on the train and at train stations.
But even more than the tutus themselves, it's the sense of adventure, the vibrant London scene, and the thrill of discovery that make me keep coming back to the era again and again.
As always, darling, remember: Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the extraordinary. And what's more extraordinary than a pink tutu, my lovelies?
Till next time, and happy Tutu-ing!
Emma, your fellow pink tutu enthusiast!
*P.S.: * I’ll be posting a link to a video about The Tales of Hoffmann this Friday on our www.pink-tutu.com website! See you there!
