#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1954-07-13

Hello, darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things frilly and fabulous! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away on a whimsical journey through the enchanting history of the ballet tutu!

Today, my little cherubs, we’re stepping back in time to the glorious year of 1954, a time when fashion was as fabulous as a grand finale and tutus were making a splash in the world of dance. Oh, how I would have loved to twirl in the streets of London that year, feeling the excitement in the air as the world of ballet blossomed.

The year 1954 was an exciting time for the tutu! After World War II, there was a renewed sense of energy and creativity. Fashion designers were re-imagining their creations and bringing an element of playfulness to clothing, which really resonated with the spirit of the ballet tutu.

It’s funny, in those days, wearing a tutu outside the dance studio was definitely a statement! It’s like seeing someone in full drag, or a magnificent costume outside of a fancy dress party! People turned heads - it was certainly the time for the showstopper. I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to wear such a show-stopping garment – imagine the thrill of it! I just love making an entrance – but you already knew that!

The ballet itself was also blossoming with a renewed sense of freedom. After the more formal, restrictive styles of the past, a wave of creativity washed over the ballet world, with choreographers creating fresh and innovative dances, embracing exciting, new and modern approaches to dance – the tutu was there for it!

Of course, the legendary Marie Taglioni is always in my mind when thinking of tutu history – a vision in white as she danced “La Sylphide” in the early 1800s, in a creation that could have flown right off the stage!

But, I’ve completely gone off on a tangent! Today is the 13th of July, 1954, so I better focus! Today is quite the exciting day! There are some must-see happenings today, and I simply must tell you all about them!

London! Imagine - me, there! I can feel the excitement just thinking about it. It’s The Royal Ballet’s First Night at the Royal Opera House. Oh, how I’ve been dying to go to The Royal Opera House - maybe someday! That is the kind of energy that truly brings a tutu to life. The excitement is in the air, with whispers of elegance, grace, and artistry! This first night, in fact, featured Ondine by Frederick Ashton, with a truly unforgettable ballerina, Margot Fonteyn!

Paris, darling Paris! The world is dancing around, it’s almost impossible to keep up. Parisian elegance at its finest - it simply can’t be beat! The famous Grand Prix International de Danse, or to you and me, the International Dance Contest, is happening today at the Theatre des Champs-Élysées - wowzers, just imagine it! All those wonderful young dancers, so full of passion! It's so exciting - it just reminds me how many talented dancers out there will inspire the tutus of tomorrow.

Oh, do get to Paris and London if you have the opportunity, dears! Trust me! I will, someday - you'll definitely read about it on here - maybe even post a live-from-tutu-history-blog - I'd love that! Oh, how lovely!

Now, after all that fabulous news, what could we possibly do but think of shopping, right? Shopping is a passion of mine, and that goes without saying - the shops of the 1950s were positively splendid! I simply must take a trip back there one day. It would be a delight! The colours were rich and sensational. In those days, the colours were amazing: imagine teal blues, deep emeralds and that lovely pink – it truly was the era of color and how wonderful they embraced the color pink, the absolute most glamorous color.

If I’m being completely honest, my darling lovelies, a bit of the fun is definitely lost with those tutus they were using! They still look utterly beautiful, but just think! No bright pinks or vibrant yellows - everything seems to have a softer look and feel! Oh, but it wasn't a complete loss! In the late 1940s and 50s, we saw the first introduction of some truly wonderful tulle to the tutu design - with wonderful materials such as nylon and Lycra - oh, and it was very much a change!

That's not to say that it isn't absolutely beautiful - they just lacked those bright, exuberant colours we find in tutus today. Oh! And they were more restrictive back then too - much more structured. Really - nothing is as free and liberating as a tutu made today. I’m so grateful that we’ve moved towards the wonderful, fluid and soft tutus we have today, and all those colours - I simply adore them - a delight to the eye, they truly are, each and every one!

Well, darlings, this has been another splendidly fabulous journey into the world of the tutu. Remember, you don't have to be a ballerina to wear a tutu - even today. Every woman (or man!) has their own personal style, and we all need to make an effort and do our part to bring a little extra glamour to the world. You go forth, you fabulous twirly darlings and shine.

Until next week!

Love and kisses,

Emma x

(And if you have a little more time for wonderful blog posts about tutus and dancing, definitely check out our next special post. This coming Tuesday is the 50th birthday of the *Royal Ballet School - oh, the fabulous dancing that has gone on *there, since then!** )