Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-loving tutu-obsessed ballerina, back again with another fabulous journey into the wonderful world of tutu history. This week, we're hopping on the train (first-class, naturally) to the 24th of September, 1957, for a trip through the iconic and graceful designs of the ballet world.
Ooh, don't you just love time travel? My little secret, I fund my trips through these lovely shows I dance in - so, a fabulous dress and a performance for a trip through history, what's not to love?
Now, 1957… we're smack-dab in the midst of post-war fashion! Think bold, dramatic styles. We're talking swirling skirts and a resurgence of the "New Look" championed by Christian Dior – just imagine how those wide skirts would dance on stage, and they perfectly complement the shape of a ballet tutu!
In the world of ballet, however, tutus were less about "New Look" and more about what could elevate a dancer's artistry and showcase their graceful movements. So what were tutus like in this fabulous era?
Think of these gorgeous, voluminous, layered tutus, perfect for twirling, soaring, and gracefully taking flight. You can almost feel the elegance of those dancers, a vision of beautiful feminine artistry.
And here's a fun fact to share: there was an amazing ballet on this date in 1957 – "La Sylphide", in Paris, one of the oldest ballets in the world, created in 1832. That means we can take the time machine to watch that exquisite performance and experience ballet in the 1950s. Just imagine all the wonderful, whimsical tutus and their exquisite dancing!
Here’s a peek at some of the features we can find in the 1957 ballet tutus:
The Classic Romantic Tutu: We can’t talk about tutus without mentioning the classic romantic tutu! It’s all about beautiful, light tulle – just like a feather, fluttering with every movement. In 1957, this design still had the classic, bell-shaped skirt – a timeless style that lets every move and flourish take centre stage.
Embroidered Designs: Now, the tutus in 1957 were often a burst of colour. You could find vibrant embroidery, a real focal point of the costumes – intricate patterns dancing alongside the ballerina.
Lace and Satin Accents: There's something very elegant and beautiful about the combination of lace and satin. It’s a true celebration of the graceful and feminine. Think delicately embroidered lace peeking from beneath a satin bodice, adding an air of sheer elegance to each performance.
And remember my lovely tutu-lovers, these are just some of the things I've learned in my recent travels. There's so much to discover and explore – all I have to do is slip on my tutu and jump into my little time machine. But you know me, always looking forward to hearing what you love, so tell me your thoughts!
Don’t forget, visit the Pink Tutu website every Tuesday for another dive into ballet tutu history, and be sure to let me know if there’s a particular date or tutu design you want me to research! It’s all about sharing the love and enchantment of dance! Until next time, my lovelies, let your heart twirl!
