Bonjour, darling ballerinas! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling blogger Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday post, bringing you all the delightful, dazzling, and dramatic history of our beloved tutus! This week, we're taking a trip back to March 22nd, 1960.
It's Tuesday, my favourite day of the week! Well, apart from Saturday, when it's perfectly acceptable to wear pink tutus all day long (no judgement, right?). I’ve been travelling to different points in time all week – I have to admit I've been particularly enchanted by a fabulous fashion show in 1950s Paris, full of bright colours and cinched waists. My pink tutu, you see, can travel through time. And with that ability, I get to indulge in all the beauty, colour, and wonder of every ballet and fashion moment!
Now, before we go back to 1960, a little confession... You might have noticed I have a thing for the colour pink! From the vibrant fuchsia of a flamenco dress to the sweet rose of a summer garden, pink makes me feel happy, free, and ready to twirl! I’ve got my fingers crossed that I can convince you all to see the world, just like me, in a bubblegum hue! Pink, you see, it’s just so… optimistic.
Alright, enough about me and my pink obsession (you can blame my Gran, bless her!), let’s get back to our fabulous journey back to March 22nd, 1960!
Imagine stepping into a bustling London – a vibrant cityscape humming with life! The aroma of freshly baked pastries and chimney smoke fills the air, the sounds of cars and street musicians intertwine, and Londoners in their smart clothes rush to and fro.
And, of course, on this glorious Tuesday in 1960, everyone’s thoughts are turning towards ballet! That’s right, ladies, ballet is everywhere you look in the late 1950s and 1960s! From Royal Ballet productions, where the iconic tutus grace the grand stages, to little ballet classes all across London (and the whole of England, for that matter!) tutus are as popular as fish and chips!
Speaking of ballet performances, did you know Rudolf Nureyev’s first ever appearance in London happened on the 23rd March 1961? Yes, my darling, this is right around the corner from our time-traveling visit to 1960, and we're talking about a huge deal for the ballet world!
To think that the ballet world of the 1960s was in a state of utter fascination with this young Russian dancer, just starting out his phenomenal career. We're talking about ground-breaking talent - someone whose name would be forever entwined with the history of dance. His moves were revolutionary – it was as if his steps were born from the very soul of movement itself.
Back in 1960, of course, things were already starting to shift! Tutus, which used to be confined to just classical performances, were becoming something more: a symbol of playful elegance, even appearing in everyday life!
This was the beginning of the tutu's reign as the ultimate feminine symbol of joy, of confidence and carefree spirit. People just couldn’t get enough of these magical, swishy garments!
Remember that sweet floral pattern tulle, a delicate breeze swirling around you like petals? I love this material for its lightness, its ability to shimmer, its almost whimsical touch. The Tutus of the 1960s were a vision! The ballet companies in London were at their creative peaks. Every movement, every gesture, every pose was imbued with such finesse and elegance, a captivating symphony of motion that seemed to capture the very spirit of grace itself!
Imagine those elegant ladies, all those ballerinas on stage in their tutus: Their every movement radiating grace, confidence, and breathtaking artistry. The tutus, each one meticulously crafted with soft tulle to billow in a gorgeous spectacle, almost as if each ballerina had captured the wind within their skirts. It was pure magic!
I must say, seeing a tutu, with its delicate grace and dreamy lightness, feels like an invitation to dance - like a silent whisper, asking you to express your joy and spirit with every twirl.
You know, darling, after all this travelling through time, I've learned something deeply important: The magic of the tutu is timeless. * Its impact isn’t tied to a single era, a specific style, or a particular decade! *It transcends every point in time.
The tutu continues to capture the essence of female power and expression, inviting you to explore your femininity and grace with every move.
So let’s all get pinkified - be bold, embrace your inner ballerina, and go on, have a little twirl in your pink tutu, darlings! And remember, always follow your heart and your own inner beat, my dearest fellow ballet enthusiasts!
See you all next Tuesday for another thrilling voyage into the history of the Tutu!
And, oh! Before I forget! Don't miss the Royal Ballet's performance of Giselle on March 22nd, 1960, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden! It's an absolute must-see!
Until then, happy dancing and keep twirling!
Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com *
*(Post Number: 6691) *
