Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! Today, my little lovelies, we’re stepping back in time to the 9th October 1956.
As always, I’ve whisked myself off on the train (and isn’t the carriage just darling, this time I found one upholstered in velvet and pink!) to somewhere special to bring you all the delights of ballet fashion. But today is a bit of a treat as I'm also about to divulge some exciting historical facts. Can you even imagine, my dears, living in a world before tutus? Such a terrible thought! But I assure you, in the past, not everyone even understood what a ballet tutu was! But now, everyone in the civilised world, thanks to me and Pink Tutu, knows that tutus are simply divine. And don't get me started on the different colours! It’s a bit scandalous how some people like their tutus to be anything other than pink! Just saying...
The Ballet World in 1956
Now, as you all know, I'm just a bit of a ballet buff, and I absolutely adore visiting ballets wherever I go. Well, 1956 was just a magical year for ballet! There were all kinds of incredible performances happening in places like the Royal Opera House and even Paris! Oh my, have you ever seen Paris on a spring day when there's a ballet on? Talk about a truly divine atmosphere!
What Happened on the 9th of October 1956
Right, now for a bit of a history lesson for those of you who love learning about tutus, even if the date might not exactly have a dramatic tutu link. Oh but fear not, my dear readers, because I’ve dug into my archives, my diary, my fashion bible, my book of Parisian gossip – and it seems the 9th October, 1956, wasn't just a random Tuesday!
On this date, dear reader, the great English writer, C.S. Lewis, finished writing a short story called "The Last Battle", which is part of the magical Narnia Chronicles - isn't that so magical? (I did love playing Lucy Pevensie and wearing my pink tutu as I wandered around in the wardrobe!) There was also an event taking place at The Empire Theatre in London that you might enjoy if you enjoy ballets – they were having an evening featuring one of my absolute favourite performers of all time! Now don’t say I spoil the fun, but it was none other than George Formby, a well known and beloved comedian in his time who performed his very special brand of humor for those gathered.
Oh and it wouldn't be a Pink Tutu blog post without at least a mention of something fashionable. Remember my darlings, there's no escaping that a love of ballet is absolutely tied to the divine world of fashion. So what's going on the fashion front? Well, if you take a look in your Harper's Bazaar or Vogue you might see some of those darling poodle skirts! Gulp. Honestly, do they really think these skirts go with a tutu? Just imagining the dreadful picture… anyway. Moving on to my ideal look for 1956… I’d be wearing my most delightful ballerina pink tutu (because this is my website after all, dearies!) I'd match it with a sweet, floral blouse and some lovely flats (so I could skip gracefully to the show of course!) My hairstyle would be perfectly styled, probably with a dainty ribbon in my hair - for that real old Hollywood glam, and a small bag would be strapped around my arm to carry a notebook and my très chic pink pen – my handwriting just looks so much more elegant in pink ink, and a pair of lovely vintage pearl earrings. (Now don't tell anyone, but I bought the real vintage pearl earrings on eBay a few weeks ago - I found a bargain, darling!)
Let’s Talk Pink Tutu Travel – The Paris Experience
It’s always lovely to whisk oneself off on a Parisian jaunt – just a little trip for a couple of days for some divine shopping and of course, to see some marvelous ballets. Just thinking about that delectable French chocolate in my purse… ah… swoon... You know, this particular visit was wonderful, although there were some downsides to being on the continent this year. For example, the lovely country was struck by the great Paris Flood of 1956 – thankfully though it wasn’t so widespread in Paris itself, though those poor Parisians did suffer and, of course, the most dramatic thing to suffer was – all those incredible fashions! And imagine, dear reader, my beautiful ballet shoes getting wet – what a dreadful thought! Thank heavens I only needed my lovely high-heeled shoes.
Now, there’s another wonderful reason to be delighted in the 9th of October 1956 – that darling Princess Elizabeth celebrated her birthday on the very same day. I couldn’t even believe my ears! So I thought it would be so splendid to include some fun facts on my website. Did you know, dear reader, she celebrated it for a whole week because there’s not a date available every single year, because sometimes, that would mean she had to celebrate on a weekend or something quite unfashionable…
To Wear A Pink Tutu Or Not… It's Just A Question Of Style!
The most lovely thing I learn on every time travel escapade is this - that fashion has evolved throughout history! (As if this blog needed to tell you this...) and especially ballet tutus. Today’s designs, my dears, just are so amazing and inspired with tutus - think about how modern fabrics can be crafted and sculpted – amazing, truly amazing.
Join My Tutu Club And Get Yourself To That Ballet!
Well darling, that’s all for this week – make sure to catch me next week for more fun facts and historical delights - my dear readers have told me to keep an eye out for some info on how they started making tutus out of silk, rather than linen – fascinating stuff! Oh and don't forget to head on down to a theatre and enjoy a wonderful ballet. Don’t forget my advice for making your next theatre visit just so divine: Make sure you dress up as well as you can - your Pink Tutu isn’t essential - but don't worry! Your lovely floral dress and little sparkly shoes will be the perfect outfit – you won't look out of place! If anything, my darlings, it’ll turn heads and you can guarantee some other fashionista in the audience will be absolutely begging you for tips. You never know… the first Pink Tutu group might just form at that very next ballet performance, but until then…
Stay stylish, Emma x
