Hello my darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time traveler, ready to whisk you back to the magical world of ballet tutus. This Tuesday, we're waltzing our way to 17th June 1952, a date that was absolutely buzzing with tutus, especially in New York City. Why? Because the New York City Ballet was premiering their newest production, "The Firebird"! Now, if there's one ballet that practically screams "tutu time", it's "The Firebird". And let me tell you, this was one fabulous premiere, my dears!
The dancers were in full "en pointe" mode, gliding and swirling in gorgeous tutus that looked straight out of a fairytale. Now, I can't talk about tutus in 1952 without a little nod to the famous tutu designers of the era. Karinska, known for her work with Balanchine, was the master of romantic tutus, creating those billowing layers of tulle that made even the most graceful ballerina look like a whirling dream. "The Firebird" had a beautiful, bold red costume, so dramatic it could have made you gasp, but so exquisitely crafted it could bring a tear to your eye!
While "The Firebird" was getting the grand opening at the New York City Ballet, the rest of the world wasn't exactly languishing without tutus, my loves. Here in London, the Royal Ballet was working their magic on the stage, the Paris Opera Ballet was twirling under the chandelier, and Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet was setting the world on fire with their performance, too! (And if we're honest, dear readers, the tutus in Moscow are legendary. That much, we can agree on). The tutus were flowing, the pointe shoes were dancing, and the world of ballet was, as it always is, full of joy!
I was actually in Paris, myself, on that very day. (Let's face it, who wouldn't choose Paris? It's a city made for dancing, or at least, made for feeling very "tutu-ed"). I'd popped into a boudoir shop - thatās what they call little fashion shops for girls back then, you know! - just to browse, and spotted the prettiest tutu in a window, crafted from shimmering gold and shimmering turquoise, like the most fabulous night sky. Oh, my darling readers, that tutuā¦it spoke to me, in a way only tutus can!
It just shows, lovelies, that even in the fifties, tutus were as much a fashion statement as they are today.
And speaking of fashion, this decade is a treasure trove for ballet fashion. (Just try to get through that mouthful!) You might think of "Grease" for classic fifties fashion but remember this; the fifties came way before the sixties. What does that mean for our tutus? Oh darling, just wait for it.
Now, you'll remember ballet and fashion went hand in hand throughout the whole golden age of dance, but the fifties brought in a whole new attitude to tutus! Yes! In the early 1950s, short tutus really came into fashion - the "Bell Tutu", with its delightful layered bell-like skirt - think Princess Grace, in a ballet class, except it's 1952. Oh my, she would be dazzling in this outfit.
We're moving through a very important fashion time now in tutus and it would be so terribly remiss of me not to give Rudolf Nureyev a bit of attention. He is the king of bold movement, he wears his tutus like they were tailor-made for him, and he's a heartthrob! Even now, my loves, the men of ballet and the tutu are seen as beautifully complimentary and Rudolf, *the ballet genius, set the whole fashion trend for that "classic man-tutu-attitude"!
I'd be a real ninny if I didnāt mention some major tutus from this time, now. Firstly, the āRomantic Tutu.ā (Yes, it's in quotes as that is itās formal name - go figure!). "The Firebird", from the very day, 1952, was actually the perfect embodiment of the "Romantic Tutu." And you know me, darlings - it's a big fan of the "Romantic Tutu" I am. It just looks like a dream, doesn't it? And the way those ballerinas twirl around - perfection!
Now, of course, we canāt forget "The Classical Tutu". āThe Classical Tutuā, my dears, that's the iconic "Swan Lake" *tutu. I am pretty sure we all know that, right? This is where it gets real interesting, dear readers! While those bell tutus* were so fun and breezy, āThe Classical Tutuā is all about elegant and sophisticated. It has that āsoftā, ādelicateā feeling and I'm telling you, darling, those ballerina ladies made it look truly fantastic in "Swan Lake" all over the world.
However, letās rewind, back to fashion! 1952, oh how the fashion of tutus* just twirled through the air! The 1950s, darlings, they've *a fashion era that was just waiting to be danced through. Just as a *ballet ballerina needs her tutu, this fashion time needed the tutu too. The tutus* in the 50s, they are not just dancing, they're celebrating, and what do you do in a party? Thatās right! You get your tutu out!
And you're wearing yours. *And you're sharing that *fabulous attitude!
Now, darlings, as always, I must be going to catch my next ballet. The tutu world never stops spinning - thereās always a ballet and thereās always a shop with tutus! This was a day full of grace and poise and beautiful tutus, and we all deserve some of that! I am off to catch a wonderful London ballet - and shop at Harrods for tutus! Donāt you think we all deserve a tutu-filled afternoon? I'll see you next week!
Emma xo
Remember to share your love for ballet tutus on #TutuTuesday. I want to hear all about it! Remember my lovelies: Keep twirling! Keep dancing! Keep spreading the love! And donāt forget your pink tutu.
See you next week!
