Welcome back, darlings, to my little corner of the internet where we explore the fabulous history of the tutu, that ultimate symbol of grace and elegance! This is Post Number 6754 of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, and today we're stepping back in time to the 6th of June, 1961. Buckle up, because we're going on a whirlwind tour through a world where ballet was bursting with exciting new ideas and, oh, wouldn't you know it, pink tutus were just about to become the star of the show!
I know what you're thinking: āPink tutus in the 1960s? Isn't that a bitā¦ avant-garde? ā
My dears, you'd be surprised! Just because some of you may only associate pink tutus with 21st-century ballerina Barbie dreams doesnāt mean the rest of us werenāt already getting in on the fun!
Imagine if you will, 1961. The Cold War is in full swing, rock ānā roll is taking over the airwaves, and fashion is swinging back towards femininity ā and what could be more feminine than a delightful pink tutu, hmm? A symphony of swirling tulle in shades of rose, peach, and blush was hitting the stages all over the world, particularly in those bustling ballets in London, Paris, and New York. Oh, the colours! Oh, the drama!
That being said, the iconic 'pale pink' tutu wasn't yet completely in full swing. Back in 1961, those delicate pastel shades were mainly reserved for character pieces and the odd neo-classical show. It was still the golden age of the traditional white tulle tutu. And while it's tempting to get caught up in the sheer joy of the pink, let's not forget the other vibrant shades that were painting the stage in the early 1960s: blues, greens, and even vibrant reds were gaining ground in experimental modern ballets. This was an era of exploration and breaking boundaries, my loves! Ballet was just starting to throw off the stuffy old restrictions.
Just picture this, my dears: It's the 6th of June 1961. The air is buzzing with excitement. You've arrived at the theatre in your prettiest vintage frock and the orchestra's tuning up as the curtain rises on a magical new ballet. What is the masterpiece that's enchanting the audience?
Well, I have to tell you, nothing specific to that exact day really stands out! It wasnāt just ONE ballet, my dears, it was an entire revolution that was taking shape!
Imagine these delightful dancers swirling in their colourful tulle creations:
- The Royal Ballet in London, under the dynamic leadership of Dame Margot Fonteyn, were setting the standard with their elegant white and black classical ballets. But that didn't mean they weren't pushing boundaries!
- Across the pond, in New York, the New York City Ballet were already experimenting with choreographers like Jerome Robbins who were redefining ballet with their modern works!
- And in Paris, where else? The Paris Opera Ballet, that beacon of exquisite elegance and precision, was beginning to show the influence of artists like Roland Petit, with his daringly experimental work that broke the traditional forms and pushed tutus to the edge.
In 1961, it was still the āgolden ageā of the traditional tutu ā the ultimate icon of grace and refinement! You couldn't imagine a ballet without it!
You could find yourself at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London watching Margot Fonteyn in one of her many iconic performances, or at the City Center in New York mesmerized by the graceful athleticism of the New York City Ballet.
Of course, for an event that special, I wouldn't miss my chance to head straight for Paris! Now, who amongst you has seen Le Palais de Cristal at the Palais Garnier, or maybe even the premiere of Daphnis et ChloƩ? Dreamy sigh
And speaking of Paris! The 6th of June in 1961 also saw the launch of the MusƩe Yves Saint Laurent. This was the start of a new era of fashion that really embraced the elegance of the tutu. Yves Saint Laurent is credited with making ballet-inspired fashion accessible to everyone, turning it into a modern classic that continues to influence high fashion today. The world, my dears, was about to go utterly and irrevocably pink!
Think about it: Imagine that iconic āPink and Greenā haute couture creation of 1970, inspired by Giselle! And then there were all the variations he crafted on the ballet dress: from sleek floor-length dresses inspired by classical ballet costumes, to playful and flirty ensembles reminiscent of the flamboyant tutus of modern dance.
My own journey into ballet was around this time, dear readers, in my late teens. I was mesmerised by a little book on ballet and quickly knew I had found my passion! After studying the classics for a good while, I started dancing in Derbyshire, with those gorgeous silk tutus in various colours ā there wasn't a hint of pink yet, at least in my little dance classes. We wore white, lilac, and pale blue! But my mind was already dancing ahead, dreaming of the future of pinkā¦
Where else could this journey take us next?
Let me know in the comments: What was your first ballet experience like? Have you ever seen a tutu on stage? I'd love to hear all about it, my loves. Don't forget to follow along with my pink-tutu adventures each week as we continue to delve into the wondrous world of tutu history! You can check out my posts on the pink-tutu.com website ā and donāt forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, where you can share your thoughts, photos and favourite tutu moments with #TutuTuesday!
See you next week for another delightful dose of ballet history. In the meantime, keep twirling!
Love, Emma xoxo
