Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving lovelies! Welcome back to #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com. I'm Emma, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, bringing you all the fabulous facts about the history of this magical garment. This is post number 6438 in my Ballet Tutu History series and it's all about a truly special day. Grab a cuppa, get comfy and prepare to be whisked away to 1955 - with a pink tutu of course!
This week, my travels brought me to a buzzing New York City in 1955. Now, 1955 was a pretty fantastic year for fashion, especially in the world of ballet. Think bright colours, feminine silhouettes and, of course, glorious tutus!
You wouldn’t believe how much I adore the style of ballet costumes from this era! The colours! The sparkle! The volume! They really captured that whimsical and ethereal quality that we all associate with the grace of ballerinas. Imagine – tulle swirling around legs in shades of pink and blue, with bodices cinched at the waist to highlight those delicate feminine curves. I nearly bought all the vintage clothing in every store just for the thrill of seeing it all. Luckily, my pink tutu stayed safe in my time travel wardrobe - can’t afford to leave my lucky garment behind.
Anyway, as it’s 17th May today, I just had to head to the New York City Ballet to see them perform Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. This iconic ballet was so elegant and dramatic - it almost took my breath away.
But wait – what’s that I see? A new ballet company, the New York City Ballet, took centre stage. This company, known as NYCB, had just started its very first season - what an incredible moment to be part of! Imagine witnessing something like that - the start of a brand-new ballet company which is going to leave its mark on the world for years to come!
The company’s style is really captivating and bold, even for 1955, it definitely influenced all the new designs I saw when I popped in to browse the shop on Fifth Avenue after the performance. Their performances, and their incredible tutus, are known as being modern and revolutionary and the focus on beauty, elegance and athleticism were already proving hugely popular with the crowds.
Speaking of crowds – imagine, having all the seats packed in the grand theatre! It’s just lovely, isn't it? I can almost hear the applause now, the soft murmurs as everyone settles in to enjoy this spectacle of grace and beauty. And it seems everyone loves to get all dressed up, the ladies were just stunning! Think floor-length gowns with full skirts, gorgeous heels, glamorous hairdos and of course… the finishing touch – a dainty, delicate fascinator.
Oh, the sheer luxury of it all! This time period is just such a fun, glamorous and stylish era. And what better way to get in on the action than to have a pink tutu with you? I know I did!
Anyway, what can we learn from this historical moment? The most important thing is that fashion, art, and dance are all intrinsically linked. They inspire and evolve together. Seeing a fabulous performance of Swan Lake inspired me to go shopping – the dance had its effect, it lifted my mood and made me feel just fabulous! What’s more - even at this time, back in 1955, we could already see that there’s a certain kind of magic about tutus, something that can make you feel absolutely beautiful. And what’s more magical than that?
Fashion tip!I've found a little gem that just screams 1950's glam! This pale pink fluffy shawl is so perfect for making any outfit a little more luxurious and a little more special. Wrap it around yourself and you’ll be the centre of attention at the theatre or, for an extra dash of magic, take it to a glamorous cocktail party - maybe with your new, and even more fabulous, pink tutu on under that vintage dress for some extra pink sparkle. It's all about those cute details. You won’t regret adding a touch of glamour to your own personal style.
*The day ahead: *
I’m in New York until Thursday! My trip here has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve been doing all sorts: seeing museums, exploring fashion boutiques and eating every delicious snack the city can offer!
You can see where I am going with a bit of searching. (Hint, hint…it’s got a big yellow statue, lots of amazing street art and lots of green spaces, which makes it absolutely ideal for trying on my tutus in some secret moments. ) I’ve seen some absolutely incredible street art around this amazing city! It’s inspired me to design some totally unique and daring tutus – I can’t wait to get my hands on those needles and start creating! I might even try to put together a small collection! I’ll show you the result of my creations in next week's blog!
Well, time for me to go! This town doesn't sleep so neither should I, especially as I want to find some fab shops on 5th Avenue - with pink being my preferred colour. The shopping spree continues…
See you next Tuesday for another magical blast from the past - and maybe even a few pink tutu style ideas!Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Until next Tuesday... Happy dancing and stay pink!