Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, and welcome back to my weekly dose of tutu history! Today, we're going right back to the golden age of ballet, 25th May 1954. Grab a cuppa, and get ready for a whirl through a glamorous decade!
(This is post #6387, by the way! I'm making it my mission to record every single tutu milestone! That's a lot of twirls!)
This Tuesday, I found myself in the most enchanting place: the city of Paris! Oh, how I love the Parisian flair! This is where tutu magic happens, my dears!
Paris, 1954 was all about elegance and romance. The streets were bursting with exquisite fashions, charming cafes and bustling art galleries, and I was, naturally, completely in my element. The ballet world, too, was filled with a sense of grace and classicism, all embodied by the magnificent ballet company, the Ballets de l'Etoile.
(Speaking of ballet companies...did you know that the famous Ballet de l'Etoile was known for their exquisite costumes? And where are those exquisite costumes created, darlings? You guessed it! By none other than Madame Karinska! A genius! Oh, I just adore her design for their Giselle costume, with those tulle ruffles! Just dreamy!)
I can practically hear the strains of Tchaikovsky now as I remember a stunning production of "Swan Lake," which took place on this very date! Imagine the thrill of being present!
(Don't forget, I fund these little trips through time by doing a bit of "tutu-ing" myself. Yes, it is exhausting sometimes... dancing with the Royal Ballet... (A definite highlight, seeing my hometown Derby boys on stage!) but the travelling and the experience of seeing all the incredible productions out there? Completely worth it! Sometimes, when I'm touring, I have to work with a more, er, "realistic" ballet company, perhaps not as "en vogue" as the Ballets de l'Etoile or the Royal Ballet... but I always find some tutu magic, and every company is bursting with dedication!
Now, back to that Paris evening... imagine this: glittering lights, a sense of excitement that fills the air and then, suddenly, there she is! Margot Fonteyn, a true legend, a ballerina of ethereal beauty, gliding effortlessly through the choreography in a classic tut. Her grace is almost impossible to describe. And oh, her Giselle costume! That perfectly flowing, layered tutu! Oh, the dreamy billowing skirts! It just screamed 1954! (This might be why I keep buying new pink tutus... you just need to own the right tutu to evoke each era.)
Later, as the city lights shimmered, I slipped into one of Paris's grandest couture shops... (How much are tutus like, actually from the era? Oh, just eye-watering!). Oh, the silks, the satins! I imagine Madame Karinska must shop here! *(How on earth can I afford a new couture tutu *this week? *Maybe... *The Royal Ballet? **Perhaps I should schedule a visit soon!)
Then, I wandered past charming shops, where shopkeepers were decorating for their own celebration - a tradition unique to this era! On the 25th of May, the French celebrated the "Fête de l'Ascension", a lovely spring festival filled with joyful processions and delicious food. (So, I can see myself wearing a classic Giselle tutu! But with a slight modern update: a delicious Fête de l'Ascension floral design with spring blossoms... perhaps a Fête de l'Ascension rose, à la Madame Karinska?! It would look so beautiful on stage! Oh, how I love getting the best of both worlds! That's what being a tutu time traveler is all about!)
I was just brimming with inspiration from my Parisian journey! And it’s all thanks to this time machine, a magic trick that lets me leap back in time. You may wonder... how do I do it? Well, that’s my little secret, my dears.
*All I can say is: don't underestimate the power of tutus! A simple tutu, that’s all it takes. Just a swirl, and *whiz! You're off! **
You can bet I'll be dreaming of Paris in my gorgeous pink tutu tonight. Remember, darlings, embrace your inner ballerina. It’s never too late to embrace the elegance and joy of this beautiful art. And who knows, maybe your very own time-travelling adventure is just a pirouette away!
*And don't forget, to join me every #TutuTuesday at www.pink-tutu.com. This week? Let's talk pink tutus, maybe in the Parisian style! *
Until next time, my loves.
Love, Emma. XOXO.
