Bonjour mes amis! It's your favourite Tutu Tuesday gal here, Emma, and this week we're taking a spin through the annals of dance history, back to September 16th, 1958. I do love a trip on the time train! This date always makes me smile.
You know me, I’m always trying to find the perfect excuse for a pink tutu, and this day gives us just that. You see, September 16th, 1958 was the night of the first ever televised ballet performance from London's Royal Opera House - Swan Lake, no less! Can you imagine the excitement in living rooms across the land, a glimpse of the elegant beauty of ballet brought right to their screens?
Now, before we go any further, let’s take a trip down memory lane and talk about tutus, the heart and soul of any ballerina’s wardrobe, especially in the year of our Lord, 1958.
Think full skirts, fluffy, soft layers, tulle that feels like a dream to twirl in, just perfect for embodying the light, graceful steps of classic ballet. It wasn't about the skin-tight, athletic-focused tutus we see now - oh, don't get me wrong, I love the freedom and fluidity of contemporary ballet, but there’s a certain undeniable magic to a full-length, romanticised tutu, perfectly poised with a delicate touch of pink, or a delicate shade of blush that looks beautiful against the spotlights. Think the kind of tutu Margot Fonteyn would have worn – the perfect symbol of timeless grace and elegance!
Now, for our history lesson! Imagine you’re sitting in your comfy armchair in the comfort of your home, anticipation building as the first notes of Swan Lake begin. You see a full-length romantic tutu shimmer on stage, the ultimate visual representation of the graceful ballerina. It's an enchanting moment, wouldn't you say?
Let’s chat about our favourite iconic moments, darling! Ballet tutus are about more than just performance. They are history. The first Swan Lake with a full-length tutu on television? That’s a bit of a moment, wouldn’t you agree? This televised performance opened up a whole new world to people who couldn’t see live performances. It became a steppingstone to increasing ballet’s accessibility and making its enchanting magic available to even more people. Just imagine how many budding dancers got their inspiration watching these performances!
Speaking of inspiration… this is when we think about the real beauty of our little tutus. 1958? It was still a time when people loved getting dolled up! For women, elegance and poise mattered so much, and tutus reflected that. They symbolised dreams, romance and beauty. The elegant pas de bourree with a perfectly billowing pale pink tutu is a symbol of feminine artistry. Isn’t that fantastic?
Today, it's just about being comfortable and expressing yourself. In a time where even your jeans are more likely to be the relaxed and forgiving variety than the high-waisted and super fitted styles, the tutu's romantic aura makes a welcome statement in an age of fashion that often eschews traditional femininity. It's no longer just a stage prop; it’s a way to channel our inner goddess. Think about it – you could wear a bright pink, full-length tutu, for example, and it would immediately bring to mind the stage and its magical world, all without ever needing to lift a foot. And why not? If we can twirl and spin with a touch of magic that only a full-length tutu can offer, we should!
Even with a modern twist, the graceful femininity of the ballerina and the dreamy quality of a full, billowing tutu are still so important in the dance world! We're living in a world where everyone is being encouraged to embrace who they are. You can dress for yourself, dress to dance, or simply dress to bring some magic into your everyday life! And that is definitely something to celebrate. Isn’t it lovely that even in our modern day of sweatpants and comfort wear, there is still something incredibly stylish about dressing up? And that, my friends, is where a pink tutu comes in!
Here's to more tutu moments to inspire and celebrate - it's the perfect way to make the ordinary, extraordinary, especially if you can make it pink!
*Now, how are you celebrating your own personal tutu moments this week? Share your tips, stories, and outfits over on www.pink-tutu.com and remember: *You're a star, even in a pink tutu! **
So what are we up to this Tuesday? A Swan Lake performance of course! This week I’m in the wonderful, historic town of Bath – they have some amazing architecture, haven’t you heard? And I love its elegance, it feels like stepping right out of a Jane Austen novel. But don’t tell anyone, darling! I have some shopping to do, for shoes and maybe a new tutu, you never can have too many tutus, now can you? And it would be just as well for our next performance… maybe an emerald green one, paired with a lovely pink tulle shawl, or perhaps…
Anyways, it's time for a trip on the train, wouldn't you agree? It’s a day for the finer things, wouldn't you agree? You just can’t have Swan Lake without some elegant, fashionable shoes, don't you agree?
Well, that’s it for me. Until next Tuesday!
*See you soon, darling! *
Yours in tulle,
Emma
