Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com! It’s Tutu Tuesday, which means it’s time to take a whirl through the glorious history of tutus!
Today, we’re travelling back in time, my little pink-tutu-loving butterflies, to 6th November, 1951. Buckle up, darlings, as we're about to take a vintage train ride to a glamorous, fashion-forward world… filled with swirling skirts and fabulous femininity!
Now, I have to tell you, dear readers, getting to this era was quite an adventure. Imagine me, with my trusty pink tutu and a suitcase bursting with the latest 1950s fashion finds, hopping onto a steam train, smoke billowing from its chimney, with the countryside rushing past. Absolutely magical, darling! And I think it’s just fitting, isn’t it? Because that’s what 1951 was all about! Magical!
Today's date was quite the humdinger for ballet, darlings! We have a little birthday to celebrate… A special birthday, for it marks the birth of ballet in my home city! Oh, yes! The Derbyshire Dance Theatre – now Derby Theatre, was founded this very day in 1951, right in the heart of my lovely Derbyshire. I just can't get enough of my little home county!
But back to the tutus! Now, 1951 was a glorious time for tutu lovers! It was the era of classic grace and femininity! Imagine:
The full tutus were really taking flight! Remember those beautifully billowing tutus that the ballerinas danced in? Well, in 1951 they were becoming ever so popular! We’re talking long, soft layers of tulle, perfectly gathered, that created a vision of swirling enchantment when the dancers twirled. Oh, the beauty! I just imagine how fantastic these dancers must have looked, with their perfectly coiffed hair, in these flowing tutus. Sighs dreamily.
Ballet was becoming incredibly popular! We were all going to ballet performances - in grand theaters, draped with crimson velvet curtains and twinkling chandeliers! Every week, I’d be off to the theatre, dressed in my finest frock, eagerly anticipating the magnificent dancers. Imagine me, with my trusty little pink tutu clutched in my hands, all ready for a whirl on the dance floor!
But you couldn’t just wear ANY old tutu, darling! 1951 saw a big change in tutu design: a movement away from those rigid, pancake-shaped tutus of the past! Imagine – the freedom! They were evolving into something new, with the movement and flexibility to showcase the breathtaking grace and fluidity of the ballet dancers! Oh, the exciting times!
And you know what? This evolution in tutus was just mirroring the evolution of the era itself! The post-war world was full of excitement and a desire to move forward, and the change in tutus reflected that! Imagine a fluffy, twirling tutu, just as full of joy and vibrant as the time! It’s all about embracing that spirit of change!
You might be wondering, dear readers, what was the key ballet to see in 1951? Now, while Swan Lake and Giselle continued to be perennial favourites, it’s 1951, the year my little home theatre opened, that The Sleeping Beauty enjoyed a particularly glamorous renaissance! Can you imagine, dear readers, the glittering gowns and ethereal movements – it must have been quite a spectacular experience, all culminating in that magical ‘awakening’ at the end. Shivers – pure delight!
Of course, while we’re talking about The Sleeping Beauty, let’s not forget those incredible costumes! 1951 brought the perfect balance of tradition and trendiness. The ballerinas wore exquisite dresses with beautiful details: shimmering satin, layers of ruffles, and those breathtakingly ornate headdresses – imagine! It was truly an explosion of elegant design!
Now, I do believe you’re dying to hear about the ballet fashion trends in 1951, darlings! Don't worry, I've done my research, and let me tell you, the fashion was phenomenal!
Firstly, you have to understand the iconic 1950s silhouette: The cinched waist and full skirts! Picture yourself, dear readers, in a stunning evening gown, beautifully crafted to accentuate the femininity of a slender waist and a wide, billowing skirt! You might have noticed that this style was hugely inspiring to the tutu of this era – all that airy volume! A real femme fatale moment!
Speaking of "femme fatale", 1951 was the peak of "New Look", the fashion revolution started by Christian Dior! And we can't ignore the vibrant and whimsical styles of designers like Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Cristóbal Balenciaga.
This, my little tutus, was a moment in time. These styles were all about the celebration of feminine curves! Imagine beautiful fabrics like satin, silk, velvet and, my favourite – taffeta! And those fabulous embellishments – beads, lace, sequins!* Such sparkle! The dresses flowed beautifully with the dancers’ movements, creating an elegant contrast to the full volume of the tutu. Absolutely mesmerizing!
But beyond the grand theatre and those wonderful dresses, ballet had a huge impact on casual wear, too! Imagine those full skirts that the ballet dancers made so stylish and, you guessed it, they started appearing everywhere! They became part of every day wear – on the streets, on the train, at dances – every girl, from Derbyshire to Manhattan, was rocking the graceful swirl of the 1950s skirts. And what was that trend influenced by, if not the incredible artistry of our graceful dancers?
And now, I must tell you a little about Ballet in 1951: The story behind a fantastic achievement, achieved this very day! The Dance Theatre in my hometown, was founded today on 6th November, 1951, in Derby. The theatre became the home of Derby City Ballerina Company, providing a vibrant stage for beautiful performances and making sure the people of Derby and the surrounding county have an incredible space to explore and experience the world of dance! A triumph! A beautiful step in our beautiful art. It’s my birthday present to my lovely, little, local Derby Theatre and a little gift from me, your time travelling pink-tutu-wearing blogger, to you, my readers. Happy birthday to both, and, oh! To ballet! Toasts imaginarily with pink champagne.
You see, darling, tutus were far more than just clothes back then, or even now. They represented elegance, aspiration, joy! They symbolised a world of freedom and creativity, much like 1951 itself. And I think that’s the most magical thing about them, don't you, darling? We can see ourselves dancing through the years, feeling fabulous, making history!
So, my dears, I urge you to twirl with confidence and style. And while I travel to see those fabulous historical tutus in action, you stay on www.pink-tutu.com and let's continue this whirlwind journey of the history of tutus. Until next Tutu Tuesday, darlings!
Emma’s Ballet Tutu History blog: www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1950sfashion #DancingHistory #Ballet #TutuTuesday
