Hello lovelies, welcome back to my blog! Today we're whisking ourselves back in time to January 24th, 1956, and diving deep into the dazzling history of the ballet tutu! As you know, this blog is my love letter to tutus, all things pink, and of course, the joy of ballet. This week, I'm absolutely thrilled to be bringing you a special historical gem!
It’s so exciting to imagine how the tutu evolved into the stunning fashion statements they are today! Can you picture it - the delicate, billowing fabrics swirling on stage, like an explosion of colour and elegance? Absolutely enchanting, isn't it? And you know what else is truly fabulous? Today’s post is number 6474 in my Pink Tutu History series! That’s right, ladies, over 6,000 blog posts dedicated to these marvellous garments, and there's still so much to discover. I am quite the chronicler of fashion, I think!
This Tuesday, I’m all set for a special ballet evening – after a super fun day of clothes shopping in the most fabulous vintage stores! Don't get me wrong, I adore all things new and shiny, but sometimes those beautiful vintage gems have such amazing details, you just can't beat them! And today was full of such finds! A few beautiful old hats (one is going to look divine with my new lilac tutu - I'm going to call it "Lilac Symphony"), a fantastic vintage silk shawl (just imagine how beautiful it will look draped around me backstage!), and some perfectly preppy-looking gloves in a gorgeous emerald green (ideal with my "Green Forest Ballet" tutu).
Okay, okay, I'll get back to the history lesson!
You know I absolutely adore ballet – every aspect, every show, every aspect. So on January 24th 1956, in this enchanting year we’ve stepped back into, there’s a wonderful ballet happening in Paris called the *“La fille mal gardée”, or the “Wayward Daughter”. *
This was a charming ballet by Frederick Ashton which featured Margot Fonteyn as Lise – and I can just imagine how wonderful she must have looked in her ballerina tutu! Can you even imagine the magic on stage?! Imagine all those beautiful colours swirling around - oh, it simply must have been glorious!
Of course, it was a beautiful performance but I am going to reveal a little secret - there is always something a little more special for me when the choreography comes from a dancer's personal experience! La fille mal gardée was a bit of a love letter to the real world for Frederick Ashton. He said that the idea for the story was born when he saw the beautiful countryside of his beloved Derbyshire in England during a long train journey.
Isn’t it a wonderfully romantic way to come up with a new piece of choreography? Of course, my train journeys are also inspired by a beautiful ballet I see. I travel in time using my dance performances - you know that. It’s always exciting and I love discovering those little-known details of the era. That little story was such a fascinating glimpse into Frederick Ashton's world, and how beautifully he translated it onto the stage!
What makes the 1950s era really stand out (especially for a tutu aficionado like myself) is how dramatic the ballet world became, and with all those frills and volume, it really makes me swoon! I think it’s what makes tutus so timeless. Even a few years ago, Sleeping Beauty had to give its ballet dancers bigger, more opulent tutus. And when they put the "Pink Flower Fairy" (you've seen that show - yes, of course, the dress looks absolutely perfect in pink!) back on the stage in 2014, the tutus really had everyone swooning. So beautiful, don’t you agree? You just cannot beat that traditional look.
But don't get me wrong, tutus in 1956 weren't all frills and feathers, you know! The modern tutu came into fashion, and it was designed with simplicity in mind - they were beautiful in a minimalist kind of way, like an artist's brushstroke across the stage. You could see how it allowed for far more athleticism from the dancers, showing off those breathtaking movements that dance is famous for.
As always, let’s get back to a bit of the background of ballet – just a snippet to round out the day! I do enjoy these nuggets, and I love sharing them with you – do you love these fun facts too? Well, the most amazing discovery I made last week about this era was that ballerinas were starting to take pointe work much, much earlier than they had in the past. Of course, all things being equal, ballet is now a young person's game, isn't it?! So much agility is required to move in such a precise and dramatic way. Just incredible! It’s fascinating to watch dancers at all ages! But wow, to think that this ballet craze was really beginning to flourish so long ago - just wow, what an exciting time in the ballet world! It’s pretty inspiring, I think!
I love travelling through the ages of fashion, from those beautiful frills of the earlier eras to the sleek modern lines of ballet in the last century. Every decade brings a fresh, exciting style and story to explore. And just like those amazing tutu evolutions that have taken place over the centuries, my little journey with Pink Tutu History will be constantly changing as we discover new amazing facts and find ourselves captivated by different influences on the stage - so we have so much to look forward to.
I just can't get enough of this wonderful world we live in and its inspiring story. So until next Tuesday lovelies, please, keep the magic of the ballet flowing. Don't be afraid to go bold! I know it’s all a bit much for some folks but, my darlings, just try a pink tutu - I promise it will unleash your inner dancer, and your life will be sprinkled with magic! Don't forget, our magical website www.pink-tutu.com is a great place to find your very own perfect tutu. There’s so much joy to be found in these magnificent dresses.
Oh, I'm so excited for this new year! It's just the beginning of an epic tutu journey for all of us, isn't it? Just imagine what exciting stories await us!
Happy dancing, darlings, and see you next week, for a truly delightful delve into history!
Yours in all things pink,
Emma
P.S. I am still searching for that elusive 1930s tutu with a fabulous pink feathers embellishment on it. They have so many exquisite patterns, and it's such an amazing example of ballet's playful side! If anyone has one to spare - I'd adore to buy it, or even just to admire it in its full glory. Oh, I just love it! I have all these plans of turning my flat into a bit of a mini tutu museum when I'm not busy doing ballet, you see! And that one would be a perfect addition, I have all these ideas, it’s all such a lovely dream. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face!
