Greetings, darling tutus! It's Emma here, back with another blast from the past, right from my time-traveling pink tutu! As always, it's Tutu Tuesday, the day we celebrate all things twirly, pretty, and oh-so-feminine. Today, my dears, we're taking a trip back to the 1950s. Think poodle skirts, sock hops, and some serious fashion inspiration!
Imagine a world where bobby socks and petticoats reigned supreme, and the only place you'd find a "tutu" was a costume at a fancy dress party. Yes, dear friends, the ballet world was still a little different back then! But fear not, for this week's blog is going to show you exactly how our beloved tutus were already taking the world by storm!
The date is October 26th, 1954! What were we all wearing, you ask?
Well, picture it: a chic Parisian cafe with men in tailored suits, women in sleek dresses with crisp, full skirts, and a smattering of colourful polka dots for good measure. It was a time when a lady would never leave the house without a hat, gloves, and maybe even a touch of eyeliner (if she was feeling particularly bold). But behind those sophisticated looks, something was brewing… something revolutionary!
You see, on this very date, history was made on a different stage, far from the catwalk.
It was the premiere of Roland Petit's Carmen, starring the dazzling Zizi Jeanmaire. Carmen, as you may know, is a legendary tale of passion, jealousy, and betrayal. But in the world of ballet, Petit took a revolutionary approach. His interpretation of Carmen broke new ground with its unconventional staging and choreography. But what really got tongues wagging?
The costumes! Zizi Jeanmaire took the stage in a striking, yet simple design - a flowing, scarlet red skirt (a far cry from the structured tutus of the day), paired with a daringly short, black bodice.
It was a complete departure from the tradition. It was bold. It was daring. And it ignited a spark!
Suddenly, the rigid traditions of ballet, where only tutus, or rather, the 'tutu dress', reigned supreme, felt restrictive. Petit's Carmen paved the way for a revolution in design and storytelling on the ballet stage. We see the emergence of the ballet 'dress' (and you know what I say? All dresses are beautiful!), breaking the traditional tutu's grip, a trend that will only increase with the changing times.
Now, before you think all hope for tutus is lost, let's not forget where the 'tutu' originates: The tutu dress. And dear friends, these haven't gone out of fashion at all! We just need to see a few changes in style.
That's why I'm off on a train trip to London this week to explore this exciting, transitional time. I can't wait to see what the Royal Opera House, and London’s* fashionable streets *have to offer for the modern 'tutu'. And who knows, maybe I'll spot a fabulous pink tutu on a vintage shop mannequin, ready for me to snatch up!
Just think about how our little tutus could evolve: more fitted, a little bit less "ballerina", perhaps. Imagine them made of vibrant fabrics like silk or satin, adorned with moderne embroidery, and even some shimmering sequins. These will be perfect for a new breed of stylish dancers, ones who can embrace the 'new' tutus as easily as they can dance to contemporary choreography.
But the heart of a tutu remains true.
They embody lightness, freedom, grace - they are our emblem, the key to unlocking our inner ballerina.
So whether it's the original 'tutu dress', a modern ballerina design, or the Carmen red skirt that gives you inspiration - wear it proudly! Embrace the joy of dance! Be the fabulous woman you want to be and… twirl!
Stay fabulous,
Emma
P.S. Did you see what I did there? I just slipped a 'tutu' into the *'tutu', but hey, we gotta make it fun and have a laugh! I just hope you like how I mixed the 1950s with some of my favourite fashion tips! What will I do next?
Check back next week, for another exciting Tutu Tuesday, on Pink-tutu.com!
