#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #PinkTutu #Emma'sTimeTravelAdventures
Hello darlings, and welcome back to another exciting #TutuTuesday! This week, we're hopping on a steam train, clutching our ticket, and hurtling through time to a rather lovely day in 1957! I absolutely adore 1950s fashion - it's all such lovely, soft curves, billowing fabrics, and delightful colour palettes. This era, it's truly like stepping out of a Technicolor dream!
Now, today, 19th November 1957, is a day steeped in ballet history, with a few other delightful diversions sprinkled in. As I mentioned last week, this is blog post number 6569 - that’s right, nearly 6,600 posts about tutus, dance, and the beautiful things that catch my eye on my travels through the history of fashion. It's all thanks to my wonderfully supportive fanbase who eagerly read my blog every week, and of course, all thanks to my special, time-traveling tutus! Without them, this whole adventure would be just a fantasy!
Firstly, a tiny little cough, cough excuse me for a moment while I make a trip to my wardrobe. Oh, it's just that when I'm discussing a particular time period, I do love to slip into something from that era. Don't worry, I'll be right back!
And voilà, darling readers! Here I am, a 1950s vision in pink, ready to delve into the captivating world of ballet in 1957.
You know, it was only 12 years ago that Margot Fonteyn, our very own 'prima ballerina assoluta', captivated the world in that dazzling performance as Giselle, but oh how time flies! I bet the darling Miss Fonteyn is looking forward to celebrating a decade and a half in the world of dance soon - she is just about the most captivating and graceful ballerina I know!
And today is even more special because… wait for it... the lovely Moira Shearer and Anton Dolin are in the capital, presenting their new ballet production of The Dream, based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream by our beloved Mr Shakespeare! Now, I must confess that it has always been Romeo and Juliet that gets my heart fluttering, with all its beautiful costumes and sweeping emotion, but, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t love to spend a magical evening with a group of dancing fairies? I am definitely booking a train to London for that one. Oh my, I shall have to pop by to see my friend, Miss Cecil Beaton, who designed the costume - perhaps I'll be able to buy something, a lovely piece to add to my wardrobe, that’s just the sort of piece that catches my eye… it will be perfect for my next performance in a Pink Tutu Presents extravaganza. You see, dear readers, even when I'm time-traveling, I have a job to do: to share the magic and beauty of dance with the world, to encourage everyone, everywhere, to slip on a pink tutu, even if it’s just to skip down the street. You never know how a little pink tutu might inspire someone’s soul.
But let's return to the glorious 1957!
Today is also the birthday of two magnificent ladies – Miss Elizabeth Taylor and the utterly charming and effervescent Marilyn Monroe! Both absolutely iconic stars. And how appropriate, in 1957 they are both captivating us in classic Hollywood musicals and bringing the joy of film and music to the masses. I mean, look at that iconic 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' song by Marilyn, all glitz and glamour – oh, if I could just try out some of those fashion designs, that incredible dazzling dress! It’s the perfect inspiration for a brand new tutu.
Oh dear, you’d better believe that my new, sparkly, pink-frosted-sequined, full-skirt tutu is now being added to the next performance, a celebration of glamour and dance – inspired by Miss Monroe! You’ll just have to come and see for yourselves. We can't talk about 1957 without mentioning the exquisite fashions and that fabulous New Look revolution from the year before! Oh darling, Christian Dior with those gorgeous Dior suits! They do make my heart skip a beat! And who could resist those iconic "cinched waists and full skirts"! This era truly had fashion down to a science. You know I do enjoy a good fashion moment and I think a nice full skirt and petticoat might just be something I add to my next look! Imagine! A whole pink, swirling pink tutu ensemble. Oh dear me! I shall have to visit the shops. But then, that’s another trip for another week.
Right then, let's chat a little about our next show... what's trending in ballet today, darlings?
I hear tales from my time-travel-connections about this extraordinary young lady, called Maya Plisetskaya! This, apparently, is the dancer you must see! Imagine - someone with a personality and energy so magnetic it can influence whole generations of ballet! A true star! Imagine having an attitude so fierce, yet beautiful, that she made all the great masters want to create roles for her. Oh dear, that does inspire me! Maybe I need to design something a little fierce and exciting. Maybe some metallics, and some leather accents? Oh darling, the possibilities are just boundless!
1957, it really is a beautiful moment in time for fashion and ballet. The music, the beauty, the artistry - they just all intertwine in such an inspiring way. Remember, lovelies, we’re all about embracing the pink tutu, dancing with confidence, and spreading joy and kindness wherever we go.
Oh, before we part, a final little thought to take with you: remember that a pink tutu can be so much more than just a costume. It can be a symbol of dreams, a catalyst for confidence, a reminder of our unique individuality. Let your imagination soar! Be your own beautiful ballerina, with or without a tutu. Until next week, lovelies!
Stay tuned for next week’s #TutuTuesday where we’ll explore a special day from the roaring 1920s, full of sequins, bobbed hair and exciting stories - see you there!
Until then, keep swirling, dear friends! 💕
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
