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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1961-06-27

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History: 1961-06-27

Welcome back, darlings, to another #TutuTuesday post from yours truly, Emma, your resident tutu-enthusiast, and resident time-travelling ballerina! Today's trip takes us to the oh-so-fabulous 27th of June, 1961. Oh, how the fashions have changed! Today, my darlings, is post number 6757 on www.pink-tutu.com, where we journey through the history of the most wonderful garment of all: the tutu. Fancy a trip down memory lane? Let’s get started, my sweet things!

Remember how I said it was the 60s, and what a fabulous time for fashion and glamour? Imagine all those amazing musicals, those glorious dance films - West Side Story, Gigi, The Sound of Music. These movies brought an exciting air of sophistication to the ballet, which then translated into fashion! And that's exactly where the tutu comes in!

Today in 1961, there is a delightful buzz surrounding a new ballet performance: the Royal Ballet was putting on a sensational new production called Giselle! Now, this ballet had been a staple of the stage for ages, but in 1961, we saw a reimagined, contemporary staging - and guess what? It featured an incredible new tutu design, and the ladies were rocking them! Forget those classical, long, layered tulle tutus with the romantic-era tiers; we're talking about the modern, shorter, almost knee-length tutu!

But let's be clear, we're not talking about The Flintstones here, there is nothing clunky about this. This is about style! This is a revolutionary design which embraced movement!

Imagine, my dears, being in the audience as Margot Fonteyn, the most renowned ballerina of her time, graced the stage with these sleek and striking tutus! The beauty and elegance was magnified tenfold.

Speaking of beauty, let’s talk about how my train ticket to 1961 got funded! Can you guess? That's right, a little show business and some fundraising helped my journey back in time! This weekend, my dears, was the Royal Opera House’s Midsummer Ball and as an esteemed guest, I had a chance to strut my stuff in a truly breathtaking fuchsia tulle gown. (Oh, darling, I can't even tell you how many people asked me for a twirl!). The fundraising was a roaring success, and now I am here in the heart of 1961's glamorous London!

I also popped in at The Ballet Shop before my journey. My dear, they have an enchanting pink satin ballerina blouse, with a silk taffeta ruffle, which I couldn't resist. And, I did find this absolutely charming vintage silk pink tutu in a small shop near Covent Garden, perfect for my stroll through 1960s London!

The 1960s are synonymous with fashion and that includes ballet! The shorter tutus were perfect for the era, bringing a sense of modernism to the traditional. They are shorter, lighter, and offer an exciting new way for ballerinas to move. Just imagine that beautiful sense of airiness and movement. This trend extended to evening wear! Elegant gowns, short and flowy, and adorned with jewels - a new wave of elegance.

And we are talking about colours! Bold and vibrant - a far cry from the muted colours of past generations! Emerald greens, cerulean blues, and my beloved fuchsia - a real celebration of colour and style! A-line skirts, simple but elegant, and sparkling embellishments, you know me, my dears, it is the perfect time for an outfit with all things glittering. Let me tell you, they don’t make them like that any more! (Though, I'm hoping to introduce that tutti frutti style into modern fashion! Wish me luck.) I’m telling you, fashion has changed, and the tutu is leading the way.

But enough about fashion, let's move to our current location!

Oh, darlings, let's take a stroll around 1960s London! Imagine this - tea and crumpets at The Ritz, perhaps an opera show at the Royal Opera House (the ballet, darling, is fabulous!), and shopping in the lovely boutiques of Harrods and Liberty's! The energy, the glamour, and a chance to soak in the sights of this truly fascinating time - I love a good train ride, but my heart really belongs in London.

But today, we are venturing out into the open-air market near Covent Garden! Now, this isn't your average grocery market - this is a beautiful, open-air celebration of crafts, artistry, and so many lovely shops. They have beautiful artisan crafts, handmade clothing, vintage jewellery, you name it - there is a touch of magic in the air here!

It is this open-air market, the very place I bought my adorable pink tutu, where I came across such an interesting sight! An array of bright pink fabric flowers were strung up, in the same fuchsia I have always dreamed of wearing, creating a most glorious walkway. Oh, the romance! The excitement!

Today’s little fashion foray into 1961 London was pure joy! I've got the photos, my lovely pink tutu to add to my collection, a new shopping bag, a super nice cuppa, and my head buzzing with ideas for future #TutuTuesday blog posts. We’ve had such a good time looking back, let's make this a truly glamorous week!

Have fun exploring the world of ballet and fashion, my sweet dears, and never forget: Every day is Tutu Tuesday when you’re a real tutu-lover! Keep dancing, my sweeties, and be sure to keep your eyes out for all those gorgeous and wonderful pink tutus that can truly brighten your day!

Until next week, when we’ll be taking another leap into the fascinating history of ballet, Stay pink and happy!

Love,

Emma x

P.S. Don’t forget to check back next Tuesday for a new #TutuTuesday adventure. I can't wait to share with you a secret from 1812 in St Petersburg... let’s get this fabulous show on the road, shall we?

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1961-06-27