Hello, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina! Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a fabulous trip to June 14th, 1960 - get ready for a truly smashing time, because this decade is bursting with tutus!
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, darling, what on earth was going on in the world of tutus back in 1960?" Well, hold onto your tiaras, because this is a period of major change and we're going to delve into it headfirst!
1960s Fashion: The Start of a Tutu-tastic Revolution!
The 1960s was a real watershed moment for ballet, and consequently for the humble tutu. As fashion moved from the demure looks of the 1950s towards a more daring, youthful aesthetic, ballet tutus followed suit! We're talking longer tutus with more volume and dramatic designs. This era saw the rise of the romantic tutu, with its layers of delicate tulle, the perfect combination of graceful movement and a dash of femininity. Think Margot Fonteyn in her shimmering creations, utterly captivating audiences with their elegance and charm.
From The Stage To The Street!
Tutus were no longer confined to the hallowed halls of the ballet studio. They became an important part of the growing fashion world. These iconic tutus, so graceful and whimsical, were adopted by young designers looking to express a playful, feminine side of the burgeoning youth culture. The mini-skirt had just burst onto the scene, and its impact on fashion was just starting to be felt. The mini-skirt wasn’t quite a tutu, but it shared a similarity - its short length liberated the legs, and let women express their own brand of playful femininity.
Back to 1960!
Now, let’s fast forward to our particular date, June 14th, 1960! It was a Wednesday and a good week for the arts. In New York City, "The Music Man" was playing its 1345th show, a musical comedy which is about con artist, Professor Harold Hill, and his efforts to scam the residents of River City, Iowa, into purchasing instruments for a nonexistent boys' band, while teaching them about music at the same time. If you’ve never seen a live performance, be sure to add this to your list of things to watch.
Now let's switch gears and jump back across the pond. Right here in London, there was a new musical opening called "Irma La Douce". It's a Parisian romance, and if the 1960's were a ballet tutu dream come true, this production captures all the glamour and style of that period.
Oh, and on June 14th 1960, if you were to hop on the train from London’s Euston Station you could travel to Paris, the fashion capital, for the amazing price of 55 shillings (approximately £2.75 today)!
Tutus for Everyone!
Okay, enough about fashion. Let’s get back to what matters most - you lovely people and your magnificent tutus. Because 1960, much like our own time, was a fantastic era for the tutu, with ballerinas wearing them not just for ballet, but also for casual wear.
Do you wear a tutu when you’re not performing, darlings? You should. There’s absolutely no rule that says we need to confine our gorgeous tulle to the ballet studio. They can go anywhere!
Just think about it, tutus are perfect for strolling down the street, enjoying a spot of afternoon tea or even picking up your groceries. It really doesn't matter where you go, you’ll be looking chic and feeling confident in your pink tutu, turning heads all along the way.
That’s my philosophy anyway: it’s always tutu-tastic to be fabulous!
Till next Tuesday, lovelies. Don’t forget to check out my new pink tutu collection online at www.pink-tutu.com!
Lots of love, Emma xx
