Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things twirly and delightful. It's a bright and sunny Tuesday, and guess what? Today, I'm taking you back in time, not on the Underground this time (though I do love a good commute, don't get me wrong), but all the way back to 1951! Buckle up, my dears, we're on a vintage fashion journey!
For this week's #TutuTuesday, I'm bringing you some exciting news from the world of ballet. In the grandest ballet theatres of Paris, London and New York (and of course, I've got the cutest pink tutu packed for the occasion!) 1951 was a turning point for ballet fashion! It was the year the tutu, my beloved tutu, got a complete makeover!
Before 1951, tutus were often quite stiff and heavy, made from several layers of tulle with long, full skirts. They were beautiful in a very formal, regal kind of way. But then something wonderful happened! Designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga, the crĂšme de la crĂšme of fashion, were all about creating a new, lighter silhouette in their clothing. These fabulous ideas started to spill over into the world of ballet. The revolutionary âtutu-midiâ, also called the âdemi-pointĂ©â became the hottest trend in ballet! Can you believe it, my darlings? A shorter, flirtier tutu! It was like a ballet dream come true!
I can just imagine the buzz at the time! All the dancers and the fashionable folk were swooning over the elegant yet playful new look. This exciting design revolutionized the world of ballet costume!
Now, I can tell you all about how these short tutus changed things - but first, let me show you what happened on 4th September, 1951.
What's On Tonight? Ballet in London, Darling!If I'm feeling a little less adventurous than usual, or, heaven forbid, if my time machine is on the fritz, London's got you covered. Today in 1951, you can find me at Covent Garden, the iconic jewel of ballet, enjoying an enchanting performance of âThe Sleeping Beauty" by the Royal Ballet. Now, you wouldn't catch me anywhere near the opera, no, not even in a fluffy pink tutu! But this production, my darlings, is absolute magic!
I'd suggest bringing your own binoculars, because those backstage sets are a spectacle in themselves! Just imagine - beautiful velvet drapes, stunning stage lighting, and some of the most talented dancers youâll ever see, showcasing their incredible grace and talent! I know the music's captivating, but don't forget to watch the exquisite costumes. You'll see how this new shorter style really showcases the dancers' graceful movements - and yes, I must admit, how the pink ones definitely steal the show!
Speaking of costumes, remember the wonderful Moira Shearer in "The Red Shoes"? Well, her "ballet shoes" are also a must-see! I think every girl must experience them at least once in their life - not that you canât get your hands on some absolutely fabulous replicas these days! I mean, everyone wants to twirl like the girls in those iconic ballet movies!
And while we're talking about fashion, this era also saw a very important design choice for the tutu: they ditched the corseted, boned structure! Can you believe the poor dancers had to put up with all that for so long?!
Now, let's return to our tutu timeline. After that big shift in 1951, designers got to work on even more styles - longer tutus with extra layers to add drama, shorter tutus for faster steps, and even tutus in unexpected colors! But that's a tale for another Tuesday, darling.
For now, I'm off to admire the dancers from a lovely little cafĂ© across the street â you can always tell itâs a good theatre when it has a nice little cafĂ© next door, perfect for enjoying the spectacle with a delicious croissant and a delicious cuppa. Oh, how I love watching those exquisite dancers perform in their enchanting short tutus.
Speaking of inspiring, I'm actually taking dance classes this week with a few fellow tutu enthusiasts - a nice ballet studio close by the flat. I find that itâs so inspiring, watching my dance class friends work hard and show off their amazing grace in our cute pink tutus. We even took photos! Don't worry, I'll be sure to share those on my blog next week! After all, everyone loves a little ballet in their lives, wouldn't you agree?
I've been so busy shopping recently - getting a few more fabulous pink tutus and outfits for all of our little escapades â itâs absolutely essential to make the most of these beautiful dance moments. After all, itâs not about perfection, my dears - it's about joyful movement, freedom of expression and yes, of course, finding the perfect pink tutu to twirl in!
Next week on #TutuTuesday, I'll take you on a grand train trip! It's another journey in time, naturally, to an exciting destination I've just discovered (hush hush!). Until then, have the most fantastic week, darlings!
Now off to have some tea and a little dance to the wonderful music from âThe Sleeping Beauty!â
See you next Tuesday, darlings!
Emma
xxx
P.S. If you are absolutely delighted with this week's Tutu Tuesday post, please tell all your friends to join me at Pink-Tutu.com â my aim in life, darling, is to inspire everyone to embrace the wonderful world of ballet, dance and oh, yes - the sheer, fabulous fun of wearing a pink tutu!
