#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1959-01-20

Bonjour, my lovely tutu-loving friends! 🩰

Welcome back to Pink Tutu where we celebrate all things twirly and fabulous! This week we’re taking a delightful trip through time, back to the oh-so-chic January 20th, 1959, and I’ve packed my most darling pink tulle! It’s always so much fun to delve into the past and see how tutus evolved through the years – after all, the perfect tutu is a journey, not just a destination!

This time travel gig can be quite the whirlwind, you know. This week I found myself whisked away by a vintage steam train. Honestly, I was surprised by how grand those old locomotives are - imagine travelling like that every day! And my little pink tulle just flew about in the wind, attracting envious stares and charming smiles. I simply love the excitement of being the 'pink' of a room (or, shall I say, train compartment!)

My adventures, of course, are funded by my own ballet performances. I have this brilliant secret talent - can you believe, a time-travelling ballerina?! I use it to, shall we say, "borrow" time-machine funds from my own past self. Oh, I mustn’t tell you the whole story, but let’s just say, there’s always a performance or two under my pink tutu sleeves. And it’s a good job too because, let’s be honest, who can resist the charms of a ballet ballerina wearing the most fabulous pink tulle?

Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes! January 20th, 1959. In the ballet world, things were stirring! You see, ballet in 1959 was a fascinating blend of the classical and the new. Imagine yourself, sitting in a gorgeous old theatre (complete with red velvet seats!) in, oh, say, New York City, London or Paris - the ballet capitals of the world, my darlings. The curtain rises and you see dancers wearing the classic, romantic tutus of the late nineteenth century, but you also witness a growing interest in more modern styles, ones that perhaps explored a less frilly, more athletic look.

The most striking feature of those tutus from this era? It's all about the “American Tutu" my darlings. Gone are the layers and layers of soft, floating tulle from the traditional Romantic tutu - and instead, a streamlined, sleeker design dominated the stage! The skirt was less billowing, but just as exciting to watch - think "tight" and sleek! I must confess, I love the American tutu - it’s such a wonderful expression of dynamism. Imagine, darling, swirling through those pirouettes, those breathtaking fouettés, in a tutu that is perfectly in tune with the fluidity of your movements! I can't help but think that this new wave of American tutus paved the way for the incredible tutus that adorn us all in these more modern times.

As we go further into the 1950s, ballet fashion started moving with a new grace. Just picture, dear reader, this stunning vision: sleek satin bodice with a hint of sparkle, elegant lines with an air of effortless elegance! But what truly enchanted my time-travelling eyes was the beautiful evolution of the tutu itself! While the traditional Romantic tutu was still popular, the shorter tutu gained traction, reflecting the change towards more expressive movement and a touch of playful drama. I've worn them, and let me tell you, they’re the perfect blend of playful and captivating!

Speaking of playfulness, do you know what is a must-do on this day back in 1959? My oh my, did "Gigi" win the coveted "Best Picture Oscar"! This heartwarming musical has ballet elements, and though it’s a little dated now, my darling, it’s the quintessential charming, delightful tale of a young woman's journey to adulthood, perfect to curl up and enjoy in front of a roaring fire in the snow - so very "vintage”!

But here I am, wandering off into my usual chatty fashion ramble! Remember, darlings, tutus have evolved, but their purpose, their magic, remains the same - to create moments of wonder and excitement. The sheer joy of swirling and leaping, of captivating the audience, of making our dreams come to life!

Now, how do I end my blog posts?! You know I love shopping (especially when I find a vintage tulle treasure!) so until next week’s #TutuTuesday post on the Pink-Tutu website, darlings! I shall leave you with a little reminder - “Don’t just wear a tutu, be a tutu! Twirl into life, with panache and joy!" And let’s keep making our world a more fabulous place, one pink tulle skirt at a time. 💖