Bonjour, mes chéries!
Welcome back to Pink Tutu, the blog dedicated to all things frilly and fabulous! This week, we're taking a trip through time â well, not just any trip, a Tutu Tuesday trip, obviously! - back to December 18th, 1956, to explore the magical world of tutus in a time when elegance reigned supreme.
Now, you all know I love a bit of history, and I adore my tutus. But letâs be honest, a good history lesson is so much more fun with a pinch of pink tulle! So grab your tea, slip into your fanciest frock, and get ready to learn a bit about what those graceful ballerinas were swirling around in, way back when.
The World of Dance in 1956
The year 1956 was a magical one for dance, my darlings! The Royal Ballet, then known as the Sadler's Wells Ballet, was in full swing at the Covent Garden Opera House in London. I mean, can you imagine a more elegant venue? This is the golden age of ballet in London, and everyone who's anyone was attending performances at Covent Garden! Think Margot Fonteyn, think Rudolf Nureyev, think all those stunning tutus! The London Coliseum was also buzzing with excitement, offering audiences captivating performances.
A Timeless Twist: TutĂč, Darling!
Now, we all know how important the tutu is to a dancer's look, don't we? A dance without a tutu is like tea without scones! And the tutus of 1956 were exquisite.
Picture this, dear readers. Ballerinas danced with grace and lightness, swirling and twirling in a multitude of colours - soft pastels, vibrant hues, and even some sparkly sequin-sprinkled tutus. Imagine the sight!
Classical Glamour
1956 was a time when classical ballet was the reigning champion. Think flowing lines, precise movements, and ethereal tutus that flowed and swirled like a soft breeze. There was something quite special about those full, tiered, romantic tutus. They weren't quite as daring as the ones we see today, but they oozed elegance, a certain sophisticated style. Imagine a beautifully crafted, multi-layered tutu in delicate shades of pink or baby blue. So charming, right?
Tutus on the Silver Screen
If youâre a real cinephile like me, youâd be delighted to know that 1956 saw a real boom in balletic films. Just imagine: "The Red Shoes", "An American in Paris", and "Gene Kelly's Invitation to the Dance". Imagine the tutus! All those magical gowns swirling around with graceful movements! Talk about tutus hitting the big time.
Parisian Charm
Now, of course, when we talk about dance and tutus, how can we not mention Paris? I recently travelled there by train - did I mention Iâm quite fond of trains? And you know what? There is something about Paris! A timeless elegance and Parisian chic which just shines!
1956 saw the birth of the legendary Roland Petit, one of the most revered choreographers of our time, and a darling of the Paris ballet scene. I was actually at one of his shows recently â the energy is simply phenomenal!
The Fashionistaâs Inspiration
Here's something I adore about 1956 tutus â they truly captured a time of fashion-forward femininity. Just picture Christian Dior's famous New Look: nipped-in waists, flowing skirts, and elegant lines â think ballet and its graceful movement, and there's the connection, my darlings. It's almost like the New Look tutus were just begging to be danced in!
Beyond the Stage: The Power of a Pink Tutu
Now, of course, tutus werenât just confined to the stage in 1956. Can you imagine how wonderful it must have been to simply waltz about the city in a dreamy tutu? And it doesn't have to stop there, my dears! What if, we made the everyday even more whimsical? Even today, a pink tutu adds an extra spark of delight! Imagine, heading out to your afternoon tea party or popping out to the shops in your favourite pink tutu - who wouldnât love a dash of colour and whimsy? I even wore a bright pink tulle skirt the other day, a delightful nod to this wonderful era.
What a Lovely Time, darling
My dear friends, the tutu, its elegance and charm, transcend time! 1956 is an era of such captivating glamour! That year, and especially that day â December 18th, 1956, a captivating and inspiring day in the world of dance, reminds me how vital a little bit of tutu magic can be, on stage or simply taking a walk on a sunny afternoon. Remember, every day can be your personal #TutuTuesday! And what better way to add some elegance, some excitement to your day than with a sprinkle of that magic. I always encourage my readers to add a bit of tutu to your everyday lives, my darlings, whether it's a ballerina bun, a cute pink scarf, or a splash of that magical tutu colour in your outfit! Because, as I always say, âEvery day is a balletâ!
Till next time, darlings, donât forget to dance to your heartâs content,
Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com*
P.S. Stay tuned for next weekâs #TutuTuesday, weâre heading back in time again for a trip to a little village called Derbyshire, the very place I grew up in! And trust me, you wonât want to miss it! Itâs all about how I fell in love with those wonderful tutus! Don't forget to follow along, darlings! We're going on a tutu-filled journey of fun, fashion, and historical discoveries! You can follow us on Instagram: @pink_tutu to see what we get up to in our daily life. See you all soon!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #VintageDance #PinkTutu #TimeTravel #EmmaSaysDance #DanceFashion
