Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing, ballet-loving, train-obsessed blogger, Emma, back with another blast from the past for our weekly #TutuTuesday! Today, we're taking a little trip through time, all the way to the 27th of September 1960, to peek into the world of ballet and, of course, the magnificent tutus that grace our beloved stages!
Ooh, this date was brimming with excitement in the world of dance. Imagine, a time where pointe shoes weren't quite so high and the tutu designs weren't as elaborate! You wouldn't believe how much fun the ballet world was! Imagine, no phone cameras or even television! You had to see it in person! Oh, the excitement, the hushed anticipation! It was a complete immersion into the world of performance.
Just picture this: a beautiful young dancer with a delicate tutu, her skirt swirling around her like a pink cloud, the stage aglow with the spotlight's brilliance. It's the opening scene of 'Giselle', and she's poised and graceful, like a delicate flower in a field of moonlight! This, my darlings, is the essence of the beauty we find in ballet.
Let's talk tutus! Back in 1960, the iconic "bell-shaped" tutus were just beginning their reign as the go-to design. Can you imagine? Not as puffy or elaborate as today's modern creations. Still beautiful, but oh so wonderfully different! Think simple elegance, flowing fabrics, with maybe a hint of embellishment for that extra touch of glamour. You could practically spin and spin and spin, the layers creating a beautiful cloud of motion!
Just last week, I went to a vintage ballet exhibition in London and found the most divine collection of these 1960s tutus. My favourite, a pale blue tulle creation, was almost translucent. It made the dancer appear ethereal! They would say she seemed to float across the stage! Just stunning! I felt like I could be back in the theatre myself, watching a show in that bygone era.
And don't even get me started on the colour pink! Think sweet pastels, pale pinks that whispered romance and fairytale dreams! Imagine how incredible the stage would look with a chorus line of ballerinas in those colours!
You know, I'm finding that my obsession with pink isn't a coincidence. It's woven deep into the fabric of ballet history! It's a color that represents grace, femininity, and above all, the light and airy feel of a dancer's movement. Who doesn't love the joy of watching a ballerina float across the stage, her pink tutu billowing behind her?
Speaking of dancing, did you know that today is a very special day for my hometown of Derbyshire? We have a spectacular new ballet production showcasing in our local theatre, the 'Derbyshire Symphony Orchestra Ballet'. Imagine the exquisite costuming, the beautifully executed choreography! And all for a night of enchantment. What could be better than spending the evening being completely enthralled by beautiful dancing and tutus?
The train is packed this morning, full of fellow dancers who are all en route to the city to catch the show. A lovely feeling of togetherness and excitement - the perfect prelude to a spectacular night at the theatre. Even now, I can hear the beautiful sound of the orchestra in my head, the delicate melodies woven together so beautifully! The symphony orchestra plays the most exquisite music to complement the ballerinas on stage. There's nothing like a live symphony.
This journey through the past is truly delightful. The year 1960 brings up images of simple elegance and flowing tutus, with the first hint of modern design. What a gorgeous time for ballet! What wonderful inspiration for today's ballerinas to create unique and truly expressive costumes. And I'm all about inspiration, especially when it comes to tutus. They are the true highlight of any performance, just waiting to dance their own story onto the stage.
As always, I can't wait to see your pink tutus gracing the streets. Let me know what your favourite colours are and how you celebrate your own personal tutu style. What tutu looks from 1960 will you be replicating?
Don't forget, you can catch our #TutuTuesday post next week, where we'll continue our journey into the glorious world of tutus! Until then, happy twirling and let's spread the joy of pink!
And remember, everyone can be a ballerina!
Until next time, darlings!
Emma xo
