Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away on a trip through time with our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History series! Today, we're stepping back to August 1st, 1961. Oh my, what a fabulous era it was! The fifties had given us a whirlwind of elegance, and the sixties were just getting started with their exciting fashion. And darling, where would we be without our ballet tutus throughout this time?
Today's blog post, number 6762 on www.pink-tutu.com, is going to be all about the magnificent tutus of this era!
I must admit, arriving in 1961 was quite a treat. Imagine stepping out of the train in Paris, the scent of croissants in the air and the cobblestones echoing with the click-clack of ladies' heels, so stylish! I hopped straight onto a bus, all that vintage glamour really inspiring me for some fun outfits.
I found myself standing outside the Paris Opera House, watching as ballet dancers in their perfectly crisp costumes waltzed into the grand hall.
And speaking of costumes, let's talk tutus! Imagine delicate layers of tulle, meticulously sewn to create billowing forms. These weren't the super-short tutus of the late twentieth century, oh no! These tutus, crafted for classics like "Swan Lake" and "Giselle," were romantically long, flowing beautifully as the ballerinas pirouetted across the stage.
This is what really drew me in to 1961, not just the stunning dance performances but the sheer detail of the ballet costume. Think lace, silk, ribbons - a symphony of colour, texture and shape! They're simply mesmerizing, wouldn't you agree?
Of course, you can't talk about this period without mentioning the phenomenal Margot Fonteyn! One of the world's most renowned ballerinas, Fonteyn personified elegance. Imagine her in the famous 'White Swan' costume for "Swan Lake" - breathtaking!
And you can't go to a ballet show without an enchanting performance of "Giselle" featuring a stunning white tulle tutu with a green velvet bodice. The artistry of this era was so rich - every detail considered to craft costumes that brought a truly magical spectacle to life!
The world was in awe of ballets like "Coppelia" and "Sleeping Beauty" that captured our imagination and transport us to fairyland through their beautiful dance. This magical atmosphere is what keeps me coming back for more - those tutus simply take us all to a happier place, don't you agree?
For my time travelling escapade this week I was lucky enough to see the first production of Maurice Béjart’s “La Symphonie pour un homme seul.” He had just opened his Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris, what a delightful experience for a ballerina and tutu fanatic like me. This time the "Symphonic Variations" was presented, a beautiful ballet for the ages and something I'll forever treasure from my trip back in time.
After watching these ballet beauties take flight on stage, I spent some time soaking up the elegant Parisian shops, just as many fashionistas of this era did. I particularly love the retro charm of a French department store, think big windows with beautifully styled mannequins, a whiff of luxurious perfumes, and enough elegant fabrics to set your heart fluttering.
Oh darling, there's something quite special about slipping on a pink tutu in such surroundings. As I did, the fabric floated around me, encouraging me to take a turn or two in a pretend ballet performance - a girl's got to dream, right? You simply can't help but feel a touch of that classical grace in such surroundings!
The whole vibe just begged for a new dress purchase - a beautiful dress fit for a real ballerina - but maybe not entirely in pink! It would be quite bold for 1961. Instead, I took home some stunning scarves, delicate gloves, and a chic straw hat!
On August 1st, 1961, ballet took the world by storm. The elegance of the time, captured in the ballet costumes, was something else! As for myself, well, my inner fashionista and tutu-loving self are already making plans for my next time travelling escapade to 1962!
See you all next Tuesday, darlings! I can't wait to share another peek into the history of the tutu with you.
Until then, twirl, spin and wear your pink tutus with pride! You’re fabulous, just as you are!
Love, Emma x
