Hello my fellow tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your very own pink-loving, time-traveling ballerina blogger, back again for another #TutuTuesday dive into the fascinating world of the ballet tutu!
This week, we're going back in time – all the way to March 6th, 1962! Imagine, a world without social media, streaming, or even colour television – a simpler time where tutus, fashion, and of course, ballet, were still at the forefront of culture.
As always, my trusty time machine (a rather posh, refurbished 1960s railway carriage – you wouldn’t believe how much I scored that for in a charity auction!) whisked me away for a whirlwind trip to, well, a very lovely theatre district.
This week's location was tricky to pick! So much exciting tutu action around the globe. However, I felt a tug for a certain iconic city - the one and only New York! Now, it might surprise you that there’s so much going on on the American ballet scene back in the early sixties, and New York City was truly the epicentre! The stage was set, metaphorically and literally, for the rise of ballet as an international phenomenon. I was especially excited because this year saw the start of a new season at the very prestigious New York City Ballet. Imagine! So I dashed out my latest pink polka-dotted vintage dress and put on a very fancy pair of pink gloves. A girl has to accessorize!
But the exciting thing, even if the city is just starting its ballet boom, New York has some incredible theatre venues to enjoy! My favorite spot was the new "Broadway" that had been put together just last year! Of course, it's a little more intimate than some of the grand venues that I visit, but there's something special about a 'new theatre experience' that’s just as exhilarating as seeing the world’s leading ballerinas dance. I saw a phenomenal “Ballet For Children,” which I just knew would spark a love of the ballet in future generations. This show featured Maria Tallchief of the New York City Ballet and I nearly squealed out loud with delight! She is a star in my eyes - she moved with such grace, elegance, and power. My mind is filled with images of her pirouettes and grand jetés - simply magical!
And my goodness! I am so inspired by the style! 1962 was quite the year for bold choices in fashion! It’s definitely a ‘throw caution to the wind' moment and it seems like people embraced colourful outfits with full-bodied skirts! Not only do I find that liberating, but a lot of fashion choices can be really cute paired with tutus. For instance, if I weren’t time traveling, you'd find me waltzing through my favourite London stores hunting for the latest styles! This season has definitely set the tone for chic, sophisticated, and elegant – all words I feel resonate deeply with our love of tutus. And of course, that bold yet feminine aesthetic carried right onto the stage.
Even if this isn’t exactly a ballet history milestone date - the New York Ballet’s spring season being one example of how much ballet is taking center stage. For this Tutu Tuesday I had to shout out this incredible city that would grow to have such a major impact on ballet.
Well, this is just a taste of my little journey back to the 60s. Remember, stay tuned for more fabulous #TutuTuesday updates and don't forget to check out my latest Tutu Trends newsletter for all the latest tutu styles! If you're ready to spread the pink-tutu love, tag your #TutuTuesday pictures and share your favourite tutu moments with me!
And remember: even in the world of today, wearing a pink tutu always makes the day brighter.
Until next time, stay twirly!
Lots of love,
Emma 💕
P.S.: If you are travelling back in time - even with my wonderful refurbished time train, remember safety first! Don’t forget your time travel toolkit (which I conveniently found on sale in a cute antique store). Mine includes a compass, a historical journal, a map, a set of maps for every location, a vintage camera and film (I find these on my adventures) a book of history, a phone, some pocket change for vintage candy - and a great set of maps that are never going to lead you astray. Remember - to time travel like a pro, always be prepared!
