Hello my darling ballet bunnies! Emma here, back from a whirlwind tour of 1971. You know how much I love exploring the history of our glorious art form and this trip, oh, it was fabulous. Time travel can be exhausting, what with the travelling in time, finding those hidden gems and, of course, shopping! ( I did get a stunning silk rose-pink tutu, by the way - the photo's on Instagram.)
Anyway, back to 1971. This year in ballet was a real smorgasbord, darling! There was everything from legendary choreographers to bold, beautiful performances. My little heart skipped a beat when I saw all the new innovations in the fashion of the day, so let's jump straight in!
Dancing On the Cutting Edge
1971 was definitely a year of big changes and exciting new ideas. The American Ballet Theatre, oh so fabulous, launched the first ever national tour to highlight ballet's growing popularity. In Europe, there were fantastic, groundbreaking performances. The English National Ballet premiered The Dream – my, oh, my – a visually stunning work set to Mendelssohn's iconic music. It’s got to be one of the most hauntingly beautiful ballet stories ever. Imagine!
Now, you know I can't resist a fabulous tutu and this year saw some incredible new creations, with daring, geometric designs. I swear, I gasped! One piece I just had to snap a picture of was a tutu made by the incredible Karl Lagerfeld. Can you believe it, darling? This was the year Karl officially graced us with his genius on the ballet world. It was quite revolutionary and such a bold step for someone as daringly stylish as he! His creation had these long, elegant strips of silk, flowing around the dancers, truly showing how flexible fashion can be, much like ballet itself!
Oh, the Shows!
1971 was a treasure trove of shows and dancers, like an actual, beautiful box of chocolates! One must-see for me, darling, was Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Giselle, in that famous iconic performance. The critics raved and even today, this performance stands out as a definitive moment in ballet history. He's a real ballet superstar. And then, I just had to go and see the iconic Rudolf Nureyev. Can you even imagine my excitement? I found a delightful old programme with a photo of his amazing leaps. You just had to be there to feel the passion. I love seeing him perform his La Bayadère – I am obsessed with the whole dramatic Indian theme. I adore those long silk veils and his beautiful movement is simply intoxicating.
And darling, just wait - the Royal Ballet gave a beautiful performance of Cinderella that year and let me tell you - there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! The whole atmosphere was simply enchanting.
New Fashion Favourites
Of course, no trip to 1971 is complete without a foray into the fashion scene. Let’s face it, ballet and fashion are best friends, like me and my favourite pointe shoes. Now, back in 1971, everyone was wearing stretchy tights with super short, A-line skirts – imagine how many tutus we could make out of that lovely fabric. Imagine my delight - we are still wearing that iconic A-line shape today. Talk about timeless. There was this really glamorous little boutique in Notting Hill, darling, and I just had to get a beautiful embroidered satin bolero - a must for every ballerina’s wardrobe. And of course, I simply had to have a new pair of the fashionable ballet flat shoes - the "Mary Janes" – oh, the flat forms they were the perfect look for going out dancing after a night at the theatre. They even came in gorgeous pink, and well, you know how much I adore pink.
Time Travel Fashion Inspiration
Now, this 1971 style inspiration is exactly what we need today, darlings. Take that gorgeous bold floral prints and throw on some bright silk headbands – instant bohemian chic! Don't be afraid to mix a classic tutu with these fashionable trends to bring some new life to your wardrobe. Imagine my delight - I love blending 1971 style with contemporary fashion and knowing I’m wearing something a bit special. I’ve even styled a few 1971 tutus I picked up during my trip. Watch out for these posts – they’re coming to Pink-Tutu.com very soon!
Oh, darlings, the history of ballet is full of amazing moments and fabulously stylish outfits, isn't it? Remember, fashion and ballet, they're like a lovely glass of pink champagne together, both light and elegant but with a deliciously playful sparkle! Keep an eye out on Pink-Tutu.com for more vintage fashion finds, dance trends, and a glimpse into our history, all told through the glorious rose-pink tinted lenses of ballet and fashion, darlings.
Till next time, darlings, and remember - keep those tutus flowing and let your inner ballerina shine!
Love,
Emma The Pink Tutu Girl
(www.pink-tutu.com)
