Hello, my darlings! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger, ready to whisk you away on another adventure through the magical history of the tutu! Today's date is February 7th, 1956, and believe me, it's a date worth remembering!
As I step off the Orient Express - a rather lovely train, you know, with its plush velvet seats and delicious tea service - I feel the energy of Paris buzzing around me. Oh, Paris! The city of romance, fashion, and yes, the centre of the ballet world. I am here, not just for the spectacular scenery (that Eiffel Tower, it just calls to me!) but for a special event, something that was making waves in the dance world: the premiere of "Agon", a new ballet by the Igor Stravinsky, featuring choreography by George Balanchine, a name you just HAVE to know!
Now, picture this: a beautiful, ornate theatre with its red velvet seats and gushing chandeliers. A hushed anticipation fills the air. It's time for the ballet, and when the music starts... ah! Pure magic! The dancers move with a vibrancy and precision that sends chills down my spine. The costumes, oh, the costumes! Such intricate patterns and colours! But the real stars, you know, are the tutus.
We all know that tutus have evolved over the years - I'm quite partial to a Romantic tutu, the long, billowing skirt. Imagine, it floats so elegantly like a cloud! It’s all so dreamy! But in 1956, the world was captivated by the classical tutu, a shorter, more compact design with its layers of tulle creating a stiff, bell-shaped shape. In the hands of Balanchine and his dancers, it truly transformed into a statement, a dance in itself.
The excitement doesn’t stop with the ballet, though! You know how I love my fashion, and Paris, as always, was at the forefront of trends. While the New Look, spearheaded by the legendary Christian Dior, was still very much in vogue -think wide skirts, cinched waists, and structured coats – something exciting was brewing.
For the first time, we saw the "New Wave" - younger women seeking a more modern, sleek style, taking inspiration from street culture. Trousers and fitted tops became increasingly popular. Now, my darlings, this "New Wave" influence was about to change the world, and yes, you guessed it! This change is mirrored in dance, too. A few years later, tutus will be taking inspiration from everyday fashion, creating those shorter, more functional styles which allowed for freer, more dynamic movements - paving the way for modern dance and giving us all those incredible, modern tutus, fit for a queen of the dance floor.
While the fashion trends on the streets are changing, the spirit of elegance still shines through in Paris. Stepping out into the crisp Parisian air, I admire the shop windows - think gorgeous mannequins displaying outfits in shades of deep plum, fiery crimson and sophisticated emerald. The fashion world in 1956 was truly vibrant! As a girl who has a penchant for pink, I feel right at home amidst these beautiful displays.
And guess what? This was the era when the famous Pink Lady apples began their journey to stardom. While the pink colour wasn't a widespread trend in fashion then, we can thank those apple-picking fairies for getting a dose of the blush we all love so much! It wouldn't be too long, you know, until the pink tulle tutu would truly be a statement. I'm not just talking about the colour, but about confidence, the bold statement of the dance and a sense of fun!
That's all for now, darlings! Until next Tuesday, when I’ll be whisking you off to another exciting #TutuTuesday, do remember to embrace the tutus, spread the love, and wear those shades of pink! Oh, and don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more adventures! Until then, be twirling!
