Hey Tutu Lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutus, ballet, and of course, pink! This week, I'm taking us on a fabulous journey back in time, all the way to 1955, to see how the tutu was captivating hearts (and audiences) on 2nd August.
Now, as you all know, I'm a bit of a history buff (and I just LOVE vintage fashion!), so you can imagine how excited I was to don my travel tutu (a rather fabulous baby pink number with pearl-covered straps, by the way) and hop on a train for this particular trip. 🚄
This week's #TutuTuesday post is a real special one - blog post number 6449! 🥳 Can you believe it? It feels like only yesterday I started sharing my love of tutus with the world!
But, back to 1955. What were tutus up to in the heart of this iconic decade? Well, picture this:
- The world is obsessed with ballerinas! 🌎✨ This was the era of the golden age of ballet! Audiences flocked to the theatre to see their favourite dancers like Margot Fonteyn and the legendary Alicia Markova (remember, she was also a wonderful fashionista - I’ve even spotted a few pictures of her in tutus offstage, she was that fabulous! 😉). The tutu was at the height of its popularity, a symbol of grace and beauty.
- Think romantic, think floaty, think big! 💅💋 The tutu design of this period had a distinctly feminine air about it, with the traditional romantic tutu shape holding strong. Think multiple layers of tulle, a truly billowing silhouette, and the classic 'bell' shape that you'd see in ballets like 'Giselle'. (Speaking of ‘Giselle’, if you haven’t seen it, get yourself to a ballet performance stat – it's a tutu classic!)
- Think "Pretty in Pink"! 👛💕 And guess what, fellow Tutu lovers? Pink was absolutely HUGE in the 50s. The vibrant hue of femininity and fashion – it’s no wonder it was the perfect match for the enchanting beauty of a tulle tutu! You could spot ballet dancers everywhere – both in real life at the theatre and in glossy magazines – twirling and dancing in magnificent, beautiful pink tutus.
I actually found a wonderful old photograph (a real gem!) of the renowned ballerina, Tamara Toumanova, on this date. She is wearing a absolutely dreamy pink tutu that just seems to radiate glamour. Imagine it with me: She’s in a theatre, just after a curtain call, her hair styled in a delicate bun with the perfect ballerina braid, eyes sparkling under the stage lights. Oh, the glamour! 😍
But, what exactly was happening in 1955, on August the 2nd, in terms of dance? 🤔
- Well, we were nearing the opening of a stunning production of "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Sadler’s Wells Ballet! I think the 1955 version is a real triumph - if you’ve never seen a production of this timeless ballet, then I implore you, do yourself a favor! The costumes, the choreography, the drama – it’s a must-see!
- We’re also seeing ballet becoming more accessible than ever. It wasn't just confined to a few select stages. Performances were popping up all over the place. From ballet shows in theatres across the nation, to outdoor events (just imagine, dancing beneath the stars, how romantic!).
1955 was a truly exciting time for ballet. A new generation of dancers were coming onto the scene (it was the dawn of a golden age, after all!) bringing new creativity and energy. The tutu was playing a vital role, adding a dash of magic and sparkle to their performances.
Of course, every tutu enthusiast knows that ballet isn’t all about elaborate tutus and fancy costumes. It’s about dedication, discipline, passion… and most importantly, pure love of the art! 😊
But just like today, in 1955, the tutu remained a vital part of that love – a way to tell a story with a dance, to feel emotions like happiness, sadness and excitement, through every delicate swish, every twirl, every jump.
As I close my blog today, let's all raise a glass to 1955. A year that witnessed a magical period of dance history, where tutus twirled on stage and caught the hearts of the world! ✨ 💖
And you, my Tutu Sisters, remember, every day is a TutuTuesday. 💖 Wear that pink tulle with pride, embrace your inner ballerina, and spread joy with your every twirl!
Until next time, stay fabulous and stay pink! 💖🩰
Love,
Emma
xx
P.S. I'm heading to a gorgeous new show in the West End next week. I simply can’t wait! If you’re in London, do join me. I can promise an evening of sheer glamour and a good helping of twirling. 👠💃 And guess what I'll be wearing? A spectacular pink tutu of course! 💕
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