Hello, darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we delve into the delightful world of ballet and, of course, tutus! It's #TutuTuesday, and today we're taking a little trip down memory lane - all the way back to 22nd July, 1952!
Now, I may have mentioned before that I'm a bit of a time traveler, you know, just hopping between eras to admire the fashion and revel in the brilliance of ballet. And trust me, thereās no better way to see the world than in a pink tutu. You wouldn't believe the number of stares I get on the Tube ā but you know me, I just twirl and smile! Anyway, back to 1952!
I was in Paris, darling, for the Festival International du Film! Oh, it was divine. The city was alive with excitement. And you know what? Ballet was HUGE back then! Think Margot Fonteyn, think Rudolf Nureyev, think Serge Lifar ā it was a golden age.
My dear, can we talk about those costumes?! I mean, imagine tulle so fine it seemed to dance in the air ā itās truly a joy! You see, 1952 was an era of beautiful, elegant silhouettes. Imagine ballet as the perfect intersection of graceful movement and exquisitely designed costumes. Think full-length tutus in all the beautiful pastel colours, and ooh darling, those intricate beaded embellishments.
And you know what was really fascinating about this era?
1. The Tutus Started Getting Shorter
The early 20th century saw those flowing full-length tutus you see in Giselle - beautiful, dramatic, and breathtaking. But the fifties, they started nipping in the waist and those tutus? Well, they began getting just a bit shorter! They were still the epitome of chic, don't get me wrong, just...well, they gave the ballerinas more* leg to showcase. Just a thought darling - maybe this was the beginning of the ballerina as the icon of elegance and femininity, and those slightly shorter tutus definitely enhanced those stunning figures!
2. Those Ballet Shows!
Can we talk about the absolute wonderment of going to a show? Imagine ā glittering chandeliers, plush red velvet seats, the orchestra tuning their instrumentsā¦ and the silence that falls just before the curtain rises. That, my dear, is magic.
And speaking of magical... you wouldnāt believe the ballet I saw! Roland Petitās Le Rendezvous, performed by the legendary Zizi Jeanmaire. She was divine. You could literally feel the passion on the stage, and believe me, it was a visual feast!
But, here's the thing, in 1952, you wouldn't just go to a ballet to watch some fantastic corps de ballet swirling on stage - no, fashion played a HUGE part. Imagine those stunning evening dresses, the feather boas, the diamond jewels ā It was truly a sight to behold.
Of course, no trip back in time would be complete without a bit of shopping. And my oh my, the vintage stores back then! Just streets of little shops with exquisite things that are now considered ādesigner,ā antique, vintage. Imagineā¦tulle by the yard for the perfect custom-made tutu, satin shoes so chic, and bows, just mountains and mountains of bows!
After my day of ballet and shopping, I decided on a lovely high tea in the Tuileries Garden - the epitome of French chic with delicate sandwiches, petit fours, and a spot of tea. It felt just like something from Gone With The Wind - you know, elegant, sophisticated with a touch of glamour - perfection.
The train journey home to Derbyshire was just what I needed. The countryside was so tranquil. There's something truly special about gazing at the changing landscapes from a train window, especially after a whirl through time.
So there you have it! A little taste of my 1952 adventures. Remember, darling, itās never too late to embrace the tutu! And donāt forget to join me again next week, for another whirlwind adventure in the history of the tutu.
Until then, wear your pink tutu with pride and twirl your way through the world.
Yours in twirls,
Emma
(PS. Be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for all your tutu-inspired needs and to join the fabulous community!)
