#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1956-06-19

Hello darlings! Welcome back to another delightful Tuesday of Tutu Tales! It’s Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-clad guide through the wondrous world of dance history. Today, we’re stepping back in time, to June 19th, 1956, a date that holds a special place in the heart of every true ballet enthusiast. Let me tell you, the tutu world was a-flutter that day!

We’re whizzing across the Channel, heading straight for the heart of ballet – Paris! This bustling city, the beating heart of fashion and art, was the perfect place for a revolutionary new kind of tutu to grace the stage.

You see, darling, in the early 1950s, the ballet world was all about classic romantic tutus. Those grand, layered, airy skirts billowing and swishing like a delicate dream – I adore them, truly. But just imagine, a single silhouette, a sea of tulle! Something was missing, a new dimension, a touch of boldness.

Enter, my darlings, the iconic ballerina of the time, a darling who’d make even the most sophisticated duchess jealous: Margot Fonteyn. Now, if you’re just discovering the world of dance, let me tell you – she’s an absolute legend. Grace, artistry, technique – this woman had it all!

And guess what she graced the stage in on this very day, 19th June 1956? A brand-new, completely different type of tutu! A revolutionary one-piece number, clinging to the body with its simple design, featuring only one, single layer of tulle. It wasn't a revolution for the sake of a revolution. Oh no! The genius of this new creation lay in its incredible ability to allow for more movement. This lightweight beauty allowed for spins and leaps that simply couldn’t be achieved with those magnificent but more restrictive layered creations of the past. It's the modern-day tutu that allows our incredible dancers to fly across the stage with such ease and grace, making every performance truly magical.

And what was the magnificent dance that inspired this radical shift in tutu style? Well, it was the masterpiece “La Belle au Bois Dormant”, or Sleeping Beauty to you and me, the iconic ballet by the extraordinary Marius Petipa and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, featuring a score that would melt the iciest heart.

On that 19th June 1956, Margot Fonteyn donned this “modern” tutu, setting a trend that captured the hearts of dancers worldwide. I think I can safely say this innovative creation by * Karinska, a famous Russian costume designer, who had worked for both the Ballets Russes and Diaghilev. * helped push ballet into a thrilling new era!

Of course, with new tutu trends come new fashions and dance styles! The sleek lines of this one-piece tutu made a splash in fashion too, inspiring designers to experiment with clean silhouettes and modern elegance. The “little black dress” found its dance sister! It’s safe to say that in 1956, everything just… clicked!

It's an exciting time to be a ballet enthusiast! You know me, darling, I love nothing more than stepping back into these glittering historical moments. But now, darling, it’s time to get moving! I've got a delightful train journey planned for this weekend. The charming British countryside is calling, and I’m picturing myself dancing my way through the rolling hills in a sparkling lavender-coloured tulle dress that I’ve got my eye on! And you know me, I just HAVE to bring the whole outfit back to London for a proper shopping spree. You know how much I love exploring the latest trends!

Do join me next week, darlings, for another trip through time and some seriously delightful fashion fun. Until then, let’s keep dancing, darling!

With lots of love, and a swirling tutu,

Emma