Greetings, lovelies! Emma here, your time-travelling tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away to the shimmering world of ballet history, and yes, of course, we'll be talking all about those fabulous tutus! Today, I'm taking us back to a very special day: the 25th December 1979. Let's pull on our most twirly pink tutus (a cherry red one wouldn't hurt either!) and step back in time to the vibrant heart of London, shall we?
As a Derbyshire girl myself, it feels a bit like home - just with more twinkling lights, cobbled streets, and of course, the most magnificent ballet performances! We’ve had a wonderful trip this time. Travelling by train, you know I adore the train, we watched 'La Sylphide' at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden – such a gorgeous ballet.
Oh, and we took full advantage of all the incredible shopping, which wouldn't be complete without some serious tutu spotting, darling! You wouldn't believe the fabulous styles they had in the window displays back then. Think swirling silk and layers of tulle, some with delicate lace and embellishments. They truly knew how to create a spectacle. We did manage to sneak in a visit to a few costume shops - one near Trafalgar Square was particularly exciting. We're on a mission to make this tutu journey even more inspiring, and let me tell you, finding that little vintage shop with dusty old tutus from past shows was pure magic! I’m not going to tell you how much I paid but let's just say that if you have a vintage pink tutu for sale, my door (and purse) are open!
Anyway, back to the 25th December 1979. Now, on a day when everyone else is tucking into roast turkey and Christmas pudding, ballet fans were excitedly prepping for a special treat: The Nutcracker!
The Royal Ballet had just opened its new production of The Nutcracker and I’ll admit, it was breathtaking. We had to book tickets weeks ago, so many ballet fans and their families, a right merry bunch of tutu enthusiasts - and it sold out quickly.
This production had a whole new look! Now, I wouldn't be doing my TutuTuesday duty if I didn’t give you the lowdown on the costumes, and let me tell you, those tutus were magnificent. There was something quite special about the ballerinas' tutus – they were so intricate, each layered with more frills than the last, it was like watching a snowstorm in full bloom. You had all the elegance and grandeur of classic tutu designs, but it felt new, exciting. I'm telling you, even the Mouse King and his cronies looked dashing!
For me, it's these stories, these memories, and these connections that make this journey through ballet history so worthwhile. And you know what, those amazing ballerinas dancing in their perfectly pink tutus are truly inspirational. Not just because of the way they dance, but also because of how their incredible work helps keep those traditions alive, even today. You have no idea what I'm talking about - if only we had some kind of machine that lets you jump forward in time... Oh wait...
But let's get back to our TutuTuesday theme - the tutus! While those spectacular tutus that night are certainly making an impact on me, don’t forget there is so much to discover in tutu history. We have gone through times with all types of tutus, but, in 1979 we're starting to see those tutus truly coming into their own! Imagine: all that twirling, leaping and dancing – they all happen inside the magic of a tutu!
For this week’s little pink tip – do not get scared of trying to sew your own tutus – go to YouTube and discover a world of possibilities, who knows maybe you'll discover your new passion, or better yet your life purpose. There are some great guides out there for making your own ballet tutus - just be careful with those needles and be prepared for a LOT of tulle! It’s one thing to wear a tutu, another to understand its craft, it's like looking at the world through a different lens.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you – ballet is one of those timeless, universal things, something beautiful that crosses cultural divides. So go forth, darling! Try something new! It’s a great time to try a ballet class (even just to give yourself a great workout!) Go watch a ballet performance or put on a lovely pink tutu, twirl like you’ve never twirled before, and let your own inner ballet star shine!
See you next week for more tutu travels and inspiring ballerina stories! Keep your toes pointed and those tutus twirling!
With love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
