Hello my dearest tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another delightful #TutuTuesday instalment from your favourite pink-obsessed time travelling ballerina, Emma. Today, we're hurtling through time to 1957, a year brimming with glamour and grace!
This is post number 6550 on my trusty blog, www.pink-tutu.com, where every week I explore the fascinating history of tutus. Oh, the tales I have to tell! I just adore the sheer elegance and creativity woven into every tulle layer.
For my journey to 1957, I opted for a gorgeous rose pink tutu, adorned with delicate silver stars, just like the ones glittering in the summer night sky. This shimmering tulle whispers tales of starry dreams and magical dance, the perfect outfit for capturing the mood of this era.
Now, let's delve into the enchanting world of ballet in 1957! It was a time of incredible artistic expression and a surge in international touring. Imagine: ballet companies whisking across continents, bringing their exquisite art to new audiences, each performance a captivating spectacle.
Speaking of performances, on this very day, July 9th 1957, the world witnessed a truly remarkable event. The Royal Ballet performed Giselle, a timeless masterpiece, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London. A grand evening, steeped in history and exquisite dancing. This particular performance is etched into ballet history – a star-studded cast featuring the captivating Margot Fonteyn, a legendary ballerina whose grace and elegance made her a global icon.
Oh, what a treat to be present for that show! My imagination just soared with every twirl, every plié. It’s an evening I’ll never forget, the atmosphere electric, the sheer brilliance on stage dazzling beyond belief.
While we're reminiscing about 1957, let’s discuss the tutus that stole the stage! Tutus back then were every bit as captivating as their modern-day counterparts, though a little different. We see more romantic, whimsical tutus with lots of layers of tulle, a far cry from the more sculpted styles of today.
Picture this: Romantic, full-skirted tutus with intricate embroidery, perhaps featuring delicate floral motifs or shimmering beads. Imagine those tutus twirling and swirling as they took flight across the stage!
One of the major ballet influences in 1957 was The Royal Ballet's Artistic Director, Frederick Ashton. He championed romantic ballet with graceful, expressive movements, influencing the styles of tutus designed for his choreographies. A true master of ballet, his impact on this art form is indelible, shaping the ballet landscape in countless ways.
And what would a glimpse into 1957 be without exploring the sartorial side of things? Now, in this time, let's just say 'fashion' was an all-encompassing expression of one's individuality. I particularly love how women embraced a romantic, yet confident femininity through clothing choices, and that truly reflects in how tutus were used in ballet. Think A-line dresses, wide skirts and elegant silhouettes that embraced feminine charm.
One iconic item I have a real soft spot for is the full-skirted dress. The fabric was generally flowing and graceful, reminiscent of the elegant tulle in a ballet tutu! I could just imagine how many fashionable ladies donned beautiful tulle-skirted dresses, feeling like ballerinas as they glided through London's fashionable streets.
And wouldn’t you know it, even the colour pink was all the rage in 1957. Think pink lipstick, pink accessories and even pink gowns, and we can see this beautiful colour’s influence within the ballet world too. A romantic, feminine shade, perfect for expressing elegance and whimsy – just like my dear tutus!
Back then, finding a tutu wouldn’t be the breezy shopping experience we enjoy today! Finding the perfect one involved a journey to specialist shops. However, those shop floors held magical discoveries: A dazzling array of fabrics, colours and embellishments just waiting to transform into graceful tutu dreams! Oh, to have that choice again.
Now, let's take a step outside the grand theatre and delve into the world of everyday fashion. Train travel, for instance, was a prominent way to navigate across Britain and beyond. It was stylish and a captivating part of everyday life. Imagine: elegant ladies dressed to the nines, carrying their hand-stitched purses, stepping onto sleek, steam-powered locomotives, ready for a journey into the unknown. I love imagining the glamorous tutus of the day gracefully dancing across carriage aisles as ladies traveled in style.
Even during the early years of TV, ballet found a space on the small screen, introducing a wider audience to this mesmerizing art form. Ballet started being performed in small community centres or makeshift theatres, showing that ballet was an accessible and popular activity for everyone.
My lovelies, 1957, much like every year, saw tutus flourish with creative and exciting style, bringing joy and beauty to the world.
However, this is a little piece of the story I get to share with you every #TutuTuesday. Until next week, when we'll journey to another fascinating moment in ballet history, remember:
Tutus bring joy to the world! Wear a pink tutu every chance you get!
Your Pink Tutu loving ballerina,
Emma 💕
