Hey there, darling tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away to another fabulous era of ballet history! This week, we're boarding the Orient Express and hurtling back to January 29th, 1963, a time of poodle skirts, fabulous hairdos, and some truly spectacular ballet!
You know how much I love a good train journey - something about the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels and the romance of the steam engine really gets me in the mood for some glorious ballet! As we chug through the countryside, let me tell you, my darling dears, that in 1963 the world of ballet was simply bursting with excitement!
Imagine, Paris! The very birthplace of classical ballet, and right there in the City of Lights was The Bolshoi Ballet. Can you believe it? These absolute titans of ballet, touring all the way from Russia, performing Swan Lake. This must have been absolutely incredible. Just picturing those stunning costumes, the grace, the drama! Oh, my dears, how I wish I could have seen it myself! I mean, if I can snag tickets to see La Bayadère in New York for a steal, a Swan Lake performance by the Bolshoi Ballet in Paris must have been unforgettable!
London's iconic Royal Opera House was also showcasing the finest talent of the day, featuring Margot Fonteyn, arguably one of the most magnificent dancers of all time. She graced the stage in Giselle, one of the most exquisite ballet stories. I must admit, even as a diehard tutu fanatic, Giselle isn't usually my go-to ballet, but with Dame Fonteyn performing it, I'm absolutely certain it was utterly spectacular!
And, speaking of legendary ballet figures, who can forget Rudolf Nureyev? He was absolutely breaking boundaries in the ballet world, even back then! This revolutionary dancer first hit the international stage at Covent Garden in 1961 and was still enthralling audiences with his powerful performances, making everyone gasp! His talent and daring moves were just… phenomenal. Imagine, being there for his Romeo and Juliet, or The Sleeping Beauty – just magical!
Across the Atlantic, in the United States, American ballet was really beginning to flourish. In New York, George Balanchine, the absolute master of neoclassical ballet, was dazzling everyone with his intricate choreography at New York City Ballet.
Shopping in the 60s?
Speaking of dazzling, just imagine the shopping! Parisian boutiques with the most exquisite silk tutus, each more glamorous than the last! I can just picture myself, gracing a tea room with my latest tutu creation, a perfectly vintage, Parisian chic number. Maybe with some darling lace detailing for extra flair? Who knows what gems I would have found!
Pink is still the colour of choice!
Of course, 1963 was well before the wild, colourful fashions of the 70s. So it makes sense that pink, our favourite colour, was the undisputed king of ballerina attire! Oh, I love everything pink. The subtle tones, the bold shades, and all the luscious pastel colours between. Imagine those luscious ballet costumes with pink tutus!
And finally, let's talk about these spectacular train journeys. They were just the way to travel. Picture, yourself on the luxurious carriages, a glass of wine in hand, gazing out at the scenery, while reading a good ballet book (and dreaming of twirling on a stage, of course)! I can't tell you how much I miss the romance of old-fashioned train travel!
Join the Pink Tutu Revolution!
Remember, my dearest ballet enthusiasts, life is too short to wear boring clothes! Embrace the tutu! And, for all you lovely people reading this from around the world, I challenge you to try a pink tutu this week! Let's turn the world pink!
See you all next #TutuTuesday! 💖 🩰
Love, Emma.
P.S. Remember, visit www.pink-tutu.com for more tutu tales! And if you love seeing amazing ballet performances (and fancy funding my time travel adventures!), keep your eyes peeled for details of my next tour. You know I always need a good dose of glamour, dancing, and of course, the most stunning ballet tutus imaginable!
