Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink, twirly and utterly fabulous. This month, Magic Meg and I are taking you back to a very special date, 10th October 1969. It's the year of peace, love, and disco, the year the moon landing captivated the world, and for me, the year that proved even a time travelling pink tutu enthusiast can have the time of her life!
Riding Through History with Magic Meg:
As I mentioned last month, we've been having a bit of a retro moment. Honestly, I do love a little 1960s glamour. Those geometric shapes, the oversized collars, the glorious bobs – so sophisticated and elegant! And speaking of elegant, there's something about a pink tutu that truly pops against all the colour of that decade! This month, though, we're not just here for fashion, oh no! We're about to get immersed in the world of ballet as it was way back when…
Now, I've been having a bit of a ball with 1969. There were incredible new performances happening all around the world! I can't resist a peek into the history books – I mean, can you? I especially love reading about all the glamorous dancers of that time. Think Gelsey Kirkland, who just got a plum role in Swan Lake in New York - now there's a star in the making! Or, Rudolf Nureyev, a real innovator with a dazzling career and some iconic roles! The whole world was on the cusp of something new and exciting, and so was ballet.
A Pink Tutu at the Royal Opera House:
I simply HAD to go and see what all the fuss was about! So, after a quick ride on Magic Meg's sparkling back (it was all quite thrilling, frankly), we arrived in the vibrant, exciting, oh-so-different London of 1969. Now, dear readers, a London premiere is never one to miss!
My little Pink-Tutu-Eye-Spy: I immediately spotted all those bright floral prints in London. Think hippies, think fashion, and think fun! What was truly fabulous was that those bold prints were showing up in some pretty unexpected places: on costumes! This was not your granny’s ballet – no, these costumes were bold, eye-catching, and daring, just like the era itself! And at the Royal Opera House, where else would you see those fabulously flowing lines and vibrant colour palettes! It's all very "Hair," isn't it? If you haven't seen it, darling, do make the time, it’s a fabulous piece!
Now, remember my leather rucksack? This is where all my time-traveling treasures end up! A vintage program from the Opera House is now tucked away nicely inside, alongside a beautiful handmade flower garland I found (so fashionable!). I love the way vintage theatre posters look - there is something so whimsical about them.
But Where was the Pink?
Now, I love a pink tutu! And frankly, the world needs more of them! But while 1969 London was vibrant, they really hadn't caught onto the sheer, breathtaking brilliance of a vibrant pink tulle dream! The tutu then was more traditional – still beautiful, mind you – with lots of white, lots of layers, and that unmistakable ballet grace. They were definitely not embracing pink, which I'm always up for fixing with a little bit of Magic Meg time travelling magic! Imagine all the possibilities - a pink tutu with paisley print? That’d be a winner for sure. And how about a pink tutu with a touch of sequined glitter? That would simply stun!
I wonder how these dancers would look with a pink tutu? Now there's a question! They wouldn't look the same, of course, but would they look better in pink? I know my answer! There's a little part of me that thinks the 1960s world could have used a dash of pink sparkle – think of how that colour pops under stage lights!
But it was more about bold prints and those fabulous, full, flowing shapes. And let’s be honest, they were stunning! You'd never see this style on stage today. The world is so different, full of new exciting designs, but somehow, even across decades, the power of the tutu remains – the swirling, floating beauty of the dance… Oh, dear, I can feel a bit of pink inspiration bubbling up already! Perhaps I need a new design? A 60s style pink tutu?
Beyond the Pink Tutu - the Big, Wide Ballet World:
Of course, ballet wasn’t all about London! I took a short flight to the States and saw what the New York Ballet had in store. In the world of ballet, New York and London always lead the way. I had a little chat with Mikhail Baryshnikov himself – the king of the dance world – who just started with the American Ballet Theatre! And guess what? The New York City Ballet even premiered The Four Seasons, which is now a ballet staple and something I’m so thrilled to add to my vintage program collection.
Back to the Old World: A quick journey by Meg on a Friday night, and we found ourselves at a truly legendary performance at the Bolshoi. There, a young Yuri Grigorovich took to the stage – a legend in the making, no less. Oh, how the ballet world keeps moving! I am ever so grateful to Magic Meg for being such an awesome tour guide!
Until Next Time…:
That's a quick snippet of the ballet world from October 1969, darling. I simply cannot wait for the adventures the next 1969 journey brings, as well as the opportunities to bring some much-needed pink to those beautiful dancers from the past! But for now, let's get ready to twirl, to be daring, to be fabulous, and yes, most importantly, to wear a pink tutu!
I love hearing from you, dear readers, so feel free to pop a comment in the box below. What ballet time periods are you hoping to explore with me? Stay stylish!
Love,
Emma and Magic Meg xx
