Hello, darling tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, and it's a blustery Tuesday morning here in the Big Apple – New York City to you non-tutu-wearers – where the skyscrapers seem to brush the sky with their frosted crowns. I’m back from a whirlwind trip to the era of Grace Kelly, the iconic ballerina Margot Fonteyn and the iconic Audrey Hepburn!
I just have to tell you all about it. We’re travelling back to December 13th, 1960 for this week’s #TutuTuesday adventure! I landed straight into a flurry of excited chatter – New York was all abuzz, it seems. People were flocking to Broadway and even the cafes were humming with talk about something absolutely divine: The Nutcracker! Oh, the thrill of it all, the sugar plums dancing in my head...
Speaking of dancing, you won't believe what I found on my fashion hunt today! Did you know that the tutu, in its iconic form – the romantic tutu or the tutu-de-point - was a rather recent creation, dear readers? We're talking just a few years prior to this date, folks! It really wasn’t long before a ballet tutu revolution of sorts began, transforming how ballet dancers were seen, how they moved, and even how the choreography was set.
Remember our friend Carlotta Grisi, who made a real splash wearing the first, what we’d now call a romantic tutu? She had all eyes on her. Why? Because this delicate wisp of tulle allowed her to leap with ease! The silhouette was softer than anything seen before. Imagine that: flowing, soft, delicate tulle - can you think of a more feminine image?
Well, my darling tutu lovers, that new fashion choice by Carlotta in 1841, made waves in the world of dance. Before that, the tutu was practically a short skirt! Talk about limiting movements! Thankfully, a little evolution of the tutu was all that was needed. All those daring lifts and twirls we adore, you can thank this fluffy little masterpiece for those!
I swear, if that little bit of fabric could talk it would tell tales!
But, back to my time travel adventures. It turns out this is exactly the era that made tutus famous: the 1960s! This is where the "romantic tutu", that we see gracing our stages today, became the defining ballet costume!
Speaking of today, darling dears, what's on for us Tutu Tuesday fans to check out this week? I’ve got my eyes peeled for a delightful performance of Swan Lake in Covent Garden, London - if you’re near London, do yourself a favour and try and get a ticket!
You can bet I’ll be sporting a lovely new pink tutu for the occasion. It's got an amazing layered tulle skirt with just a hint of glitter! It's perfect for swanning around the city, darling!
So, dear readers, as you twirl in your own adorable tutus this week, think about Carlotta, think about Margot Fonteyn, think about the glorious ballet tutus. You’ll be seeing the world, and dancing the world, just as they did, a century ago!
And never forget, my lovelies, every single one of you is an inspiration to put on that tutu! Don't be afraid to stand out and embrace your own inner ballerina, my darling!
See you all next week for another #TutuTuesday!
Xoxo, Emma
p.s. For all your fabulous fashion fix, be sure to head over to the ever-so-lovely Pink-tutu.com! It's bursting with vintage treasures that I have curated personally – you never know what fantastic discoveries await!
p.p.s I love hearing from my readers! So don't forget to drop me a line with all your tutu-rific news. Until next week, keep twirling and dreaming big, my darlings!
