Hello my darling dears, and welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away to a time when ballerinas danced under shimmering chandeliers and the scent of old perfume hung heavy in the air... I'm in 1959, my darlings! Can you believe it? It's almost impossible to picture, isn't it?
But before we delve into the wonderful world of tutus in this exciting year, don't forget to visit my blog at www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for more of my magical time travelling ballet adventures. I'm on post number 6677 today, and I promise, you'll want to mark your calendars for next week. This week I'm venturing all the way back to 1959 - which makes this post extra special!
Now, buckle up, darlings, because today's adventure takes us to New York City! The city that never sleeps, full of dreams, ambition and glamour. Now I'm here in 1959 to witness a ballet that made history, my loves, a grand production, dazzling with drama, and costumes worthy of a royal ball... The New York City Ballet debuted “Agon” on 15 December 1959. A true marvel, it featured some of the greatest dancers of the time, twirling and leaping in gorgeous, structured tutus, all in soft shades of lilac and pastel blue.
What were the tutus like? Well, darling, this was a time when precision and symmetry reigned supreme. You wouldn't find any flowing, asymmetrical, 'look at me!' styles like the ones we have today. 1959 tutus were classic, like a timeless sculpture, emphasizing the beautiful lines of the body with crisp edges and carefully positioned ruffles. They gave an air of sophistication and elegance that was positively breathtaking.
But my trip back in time was full of surprises. There was something magical about 1959's atmosphere, like the world was full of promise. You see, darlings, tutus were just starting to embrace colour! Pink, my dear pink, was a popular choice. And it made my heart skip a beat, because my beloved pink had already made its mark on the ballet world.
Can you imagine a ballet class filled with those perfect pink tutus, swaying gracefully as the sunlight streamed through the studio window? Oh, my darlings, to have lived that moment would be simply heavenly! And here I was, a little pink-tutu-clad time traveller, in that moment, transported to a ballet-loving haven where the future of ballet, its costumes, and its stars were taking flight. I saw some absolutely captivating shows, including "La Valse" at the Metropolitan Opera, and let me tell you, the choreography, the costumes - everything just oozed grace and elegance.
You wouldn’t have to be a ballet enthusiast to find your heart skipping a beat during those shows, darling. There was an undeniable magic in the air. As if everyone felt a tiny touch of fairy dust, reminding them that the world, with all its craziness, could also be wondrously beautiful.
Of course, the shopping, the quintessential part of any New York experience, was equally thrilling. And do you know what I found, tucked away in a quaint little boutique in Greenwich Village? A shop called "The Ballet Box," and guess what they had? You won't believe it! An entire wall dedicated to tutus. And they weren't just any tutus. Oh no, my dear, they were vintage, and a dream come true!
I, of course, couldn’t leave without a souvenir from this timeless and glamorous city, and let me tell you, that "Ballet Box" had me weak in the knees! The vintage tutus were absolutely exquisite. They’d been danced in, but not abused, and they had a beautiful patina of faded grandeur. The pale lavender, soft blue, and yes, even a gorgeous dusky rose - perfect to fit right in to a scene from a film! Imagine, darling, just me in my pink tutu in a black and white photo with these fabulous antique tutus! Now that is true tutu Tuesday inspiration, isn't it?
But you know what I learned in 1959? Something that stayed with me, deep inside my tutu-loving heart. In a world changing at breakneck speed, tutus provided a timeless, and unwavering, source of elegance, beauty, and creativity. The magic of ballet transcended the decades, even if the hemlines came up and the patterns evolved.
You see, darlings, I love the past and I love the future, but for me, it's about how we combine the magic of yesteryear with the creativity of today. My aim is to encourage you to put on your most fantastic, flamboyant pink tutu, twirl like you've never twirled before, and show the world how spectacular you can be! The beauty and artistry of dance transcends time, and that, my lovely ballet-loving friends, is what we must embrace.
Till next week, darlings! Remember to embrace your inner tutu and never stop dancing! I'll be waiting, pink tutu at the ready!
Always in tulle,
Emma xoxo
(Don't forget to visit me next week on my ballet-filled blog www.pink-tutu.com! I'm looking forward to hearing what you think, and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments. )
