Hello my darlings, and welcome back to another installment of #TutuTuesday! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time traveler, and this week I'm whisking you back to the 7th of October, 1958 - a glorious date that holds a special place in ballet history!
Oh my, darling, where do I even begin? This week's trip was so incredibly inspiring - I just knew I had to share it all with you!
My little heart was racing as I stepped onto the platform of Euston station in 1958 - you can't imagine the wonder of travelling by train in those days! The steam, the smell of old leather seats, the chugging engine, oh darling, it was positively enchanting! Of course, my outfit was perfectly suited to the occasion. Think blush pink silk, a matching fluffy tulle tutu, and the tiniest pinch of lace for a dash of Victorian elegance! ✨ My hat, darling, was simply divine - a wide brimmed beauty with a charming veil and a little pink rose tucked right into the side.
Now, 1958 was a big year for ballet, oh it was! As I boarded my train, excitement was brewing in the air. You see, the Royal Ballet was about to premiere its newest creation, "Homage to the Queen", and all London was buzzing! This wasn't just any ballet; it was a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, just three years prior. Oh darling, it's truly amazing to witness how important the arts are, especially for grand occasions like this. It felt so romantic and special!
And I must tell you, it was quite the ballet! The costumes were a real treat for the eyes - swirling silks and gauzy tulle, with a splash of bright, bold colours that were just dazzling! The choreography, oh my goodness, it was pure perfection! Such grace and beauty - you'd simply be speechless, dear readers. Every step, every leap, every arabesque was executed with such stunning skill and artistic expression!
But it wasn't just the ballet itself that was so fabulous, darling, it was the whole experience. I had a wonderful afternoon with my charming travelling companion - a darling fellow with impeccable style who gifted me the most delicious raspberry ice cream. The ambiance was so joyful and filled with laughter. You see, darling, back then, people still dressed up for the theatre, men in their dapper suits and ladies in their fabulous gowns. The air just vibrated with a certain air of refined elegance - something we, sadly, lack these days.
Of course, no trip to the theatre was complete without a little shopping afterwards, darling! The grand shops of Regent Street were practically bursting with the latest fashions. I confess I simply had to splurge on a stunning hat adorned with feathers and a few metres of gorgeous silk for my next dress. After all, darling, a lady must always be prepared to create new and dazzling outfits, don't you agree? 😉
My evening wasn't over just yet, though, darling! I simply had to make it to a wonderful* cabaret* near Soho - that place was overflowing with life and colour! The musicians were just phenomenal, and I practically danced the night away.
Of course, dear readers, the whole purpose of this little adventure, beyond the obvious excitement and extravagance, was research! It's so important to delve deep into the origins of the ballet tutu and see how it has evolved!
For those who don't know, the tutu's history is incredibly interesting - and let me tell you, back in 1958, they were something quite special! I'm not talking about the rigid, layered tutus of earlier times, darling. The styles of this era were quite free and whimsical. There were delicate, romantic tulle tutus for the ballerinas, creating airy, graceful movements on stage. Then, there were the beautiful, shorter "demi-tutus" for dancers who needed to showcase their fluid athleticism. You can almost see the dancers leaping and twirling! The beauty, the romance, oh it was just utterly magical, my darling!
Oh, I simply cannot wait for next week’s #TutuTuesday! I’ll be delving deeper into the world of ballet history and sharing even more fun facts and fashion finds with you all. Remember, darling, if you want to follow my tutu-wearing adventures, just keep your eyes glued to the www.pink-tutu.com website! And if you fancy a bit of pink tutu fashion inspiration, share your pictures on Instagram using #PinkTutuEmma! I'm simply itching to see you all decked out in the most fabulous pink tutus!
Until next week, my loves!
Emma x
