Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we celebrate the wonder that is the tutu. This week, I'm taking you back to December 14th, 1971, a date that holds a special place in the history of ballet!
Now, before we get all historical, let's talk fashion. You see, I've been wearing my absolutely gorgeous blush-pink tutu this week. It’s all swishy and light and absolutely perfect for twirling around my flat. Oh, the dreams I have of one day getting everyone wearing pink tutus… Perhaps one day the whole of Derbyshire will be waltzing around in their finest pink tutus! Wouldn't that be lovely?
Back to 1971, my dears! It was a year when the world of ballet was brimming with talent and innovation, with choreographers pushing boundaries and dancers expressing their artistic souls. It was a wonderful time to be a ballet enthusiast, and the most magical part about it? Well, tutus were still an absolutely vital part of any ballet performance. Just imagine – that swishing, twirling, magical fabric, taking flight on the stage!
So, what happened on this very day? It was a rather quiet Tuesday in the world of ballet – but don’t worry, darling! I always have the most incredible little snippets for you, gleaned from my travels through time!
A tiny theatre in the heart of Paris was holding a matinee performance of "Giselle," a timeless classic, known for its delicate choreography and tragic love story. It’s the sort of performance where every swish of the tulle is meaningful! Imagine yourself sitting in the audience, enveloped by the orchestra’s lilting melody and captivated by the grace of the dancers… It really is magical, darling. I’m picturing myself with my bestie in the audience, wearing a chic little hat with our favourite tutus for a very special day out! How wonderful it must have been for them. I wonder if anyone wore pink? It’s absolutely my colour and I’d be heartbroken if the little theatre was full of yellow tutus.
As for the big names of the ballet world back in 1971, we’re talking legends! You've probably heard of them: Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, and Mikhail Baryshnikov - absolute icons. But let's talk about more than just the stars, let's talk about the artistry that makes these incredible stories come alive. Every single tutu in every performance tells a story – just think about it, from the lightness of "La Sylphide" to the majestic grandiosity of a "Swan Lake" performance, there's a reason why the tutu remains a favourite. And in those early 70s, there were designers at the forefront of innovation, finding new and fascinating ways to blend tradition with fresh design and bring the tutu to life on the stage.
Oh, I do wish I could have been in that Paris theatre to watch that "Giselle" performance! What a truly magnificent event it would have been. Maybe I should arrange a trip back in time! Just think of all the gorgeous Parisian shops I could visit and the divine fashion I could see! You can’t tell me the chic Parisians weren’t in the pink! I mean, even the Eiffel Tower is that fabulous shade, I just know there are chic Parisians sporting magnificent pink tutus for a Parisian morning stroll.
My lovely darlings, don’t forget: every day is a good day for tutus! Let me know what you've been twirling in this week. As for me, I think a good cuppa and another scroll through vintage tutu photos is exactly what the doctor ordered! I just can’t resist that delicate ballet aesthetic! If you love tutus as much as I do, then make sure to visit my lovely little blog every Tuesday! #TutuTuesday #ballet #vintage #fashion
Love, Emma xxx
