Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your resident tutu historian and champion of all things pink! This Tuesday, we're whisking ourselves back in time, boarding a glorious old-fashioned train carriage with its plush seats and charming conductors (always with the jauntiest hat, don't you think?), and arriving in a world of fabulous ballet tutus.
Today's Tutu Tuesday takes us all the way back to 22nd September 1953, right to the heart of ballet’s golden age, in the very heart of... drumroll... London, my dear London!
Now, you might be thinking, London, the city of fog, Big Ben, and red phone boxes, how can this be connected to tutus?
Well, darling, hold on to your tiaras because let me tell you, London in 1953 was a whirlwind of tutus! The Royal Opera House was overflowing with ballerinas swishing in exquisite silk, satin, and tulle creations!
On this very date, 22nd September 1953, Margot Fonteyn, a true legend of the dance world, starred in a dazzling performance of “Giselle”, a romantic ballet that everyone, and I mean everyone, was talking about.
But before we talk about Margot Fonteyn, the absolute darling of London ballet - that deserves a whole Tutu Tuesday all to itself, don’t you think? – let's talk about the tutu itself!
A World of Tutu Wonders in 1953!Imagine yourself, my sweet tutu aficionado, at the Royal Opera House in 1953! Think of a beautiful building - all marble, grand staircases, velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers, sparkling with a dazzling energy – and you are in a packed auditorium. Suddenly, the orchestra begins, the lights dim, and then - BAM! There she is, the legendary Margot Fonteyn, with a glorious cloud of white tulle swirling around her in an utterly breath-taking “Giselle” tutu! It was like magic! It was as though a fairy princess had materialized right there before your very eyes, don’t you think?
Oh my dear friends! This beautiful cloud of tulle was unlike any other tutu you would see in the decades to come! This was a classic Romantic tutu, the very first type of tutu created for ballet, inspired by the elegance and fluidity of the Romantic period in literature and music, and if you have the chance to ever see it, the most stunning of them all.
And there I was, floating on a magic cloud back to 1953, in a pink tutu – always in pink! - right next to my favourite ballerina! It’s an exciting place to be! There’s just something magical about that first era of the Romantic tutu, a dreamy ethereal style that seemed to float effortlessly above the stage. It’s something we can celebrate here today – the perfect mix of glamour, history and art - something all tutus should aim to emulate, don't you think? Oh! It is my goal, and maybe, my dream, to get all my darling tutu enthusiasts to don pink tutus and travel the world in a puff of tulle, all together, you see! And this week, it is especially enchanting to see how it’s come down through history.
Tutu Tuesday Tip of the Day:But before you set off to visit the Royal Opera House yourself – because really, you must go, even if just for a trip – I want you to think about this fabulous tip! A classic Romanic tutu might not be quite what we wear on stage today, but darling, don’t you worry. If you’re aiming to get a truly vintage look, a soft and billowing tutu, perfect for any dress-up party, just a touch of whimsy, maybe, you just have to find yourself some soft netting, use some embroidery, add some lace (which was also very in style, - just look at my pink and white lace tutu) - there is an amazing online shop just off the internet where I found some beautiful materials – they even ship them on train for you! – and get sewing!
I would never want to copy the style directly – I mean it's just far too grand to imitate, isn't it?– But we can create our own vintage look – we all love creating something that brings us joy, doesn’t we, darlings? And a vintage Romanic style tutu has something special for everyone!
But now, for my very dearest darlings, it is time to whisk back to the present and continue with our Tutu Tuesday history. Do you want to find out more about Margot Fonteyn’s “Giselle”, maybe even watch a performance online?
And be sure to head over to my Instagram for a picture of a vintage Romanic style tutu, I’ve already found one for us!
I'll be back next Tuesday, my tutu lovers, ready to share another delightful peek into the enchanting world of tutu history.
Until then, happy twirling and remember... pink tutus for everyone!
Stay twirly, my dear lovelies,
Emma xx
