Welcome, darlings, to my 6763rd #TutuTuesday blog post! As you know, I’m your resident ballet-loving, tutu-adoring, pink-obsessed time-travelling blogger. This week I’ve landed in… Paris! The City of Lights! Ah, what a beautiful place to celebrate a Tuesday dedicated to our dearest tutus!
(Note to self - need to find a fab bakery for a post-show treat. That pastry on Rue de Rivoli is calling my name...)
Anyway, where were we? Ah, yes! August 8th, 1961. Let's take a twirl back in time to see what’s happening in the ballet world!
Paris in 1961: A Dance of Tradition and Innovation
Ah, 1961! It was the height of French chic - the likes of Brigitte Bardot were setting the trends, everyone was smitten with the New Wave cinema, and… you guessed it, ballet was all the rage!
We were smack-dab in the middle of a glorious ballet era, with incredible choreographers and dancers captivating the world with their grace. It’s an exciting time for ballet! You can't imagine the fabulous costumes that grace the stages here! I was practically bursting with excitement as I sat down at the legendary Paris Opera House. The anticipation is building, and the air hums with a distinct symphony of excitement and expectation - much like myself. It was so very, very "en pointe" (if you pardon the pun!)
This particular night is all about *Le Corsaire. The dancers, absolutely magnificent. They were like flitting butterflies - nimble, beautiful, and perfectly in tune. My oh my, how they flew across the stage. Talk about "elegant" - and there I was, in the midst of it all, soaking it all in. What a spectacle. A ballet feast for the eyes, darling!*
The Ballet's Past & Its Influences in 1961
Now, we must chat a bit about tutus in 1961. Oh darling, they are a revelation! Gone are the days of the stiff, heavy tutus. In the 60s we are seeing the rise of more flowing, expressive, lightweight fabrics, with delicate frills and gorgeous ruffles - making each step feel as light as air. This new evolution was so freeing and exciting. A joy to behold! Think airy chiffons and gossamer nets, perfect for those soaring pirouettes.
And who could forget the colours? Oh darling, it's an explosion of vibrancy! From the delicate blush pink to the deepest, most opulent crimson - every hue imaginable has made its way onto the ballet stage! Just picture this: pink satin layered with tulle, adorned with sparkling sequins, reflecting the twinkling stage lights, absolutely exquisite! You could even find pastel shades on a few of the men's outfits - oh how wonderfully contemporary and chic!
From Classical Grace to Modern Rhythms
And while ballet remains steeped in classical traditions, we're seeing a little bit of modern influence creeping in, particularly with the design of the tutus. It's as if the ballet world is letting out a "well, what if..." to the rigid traditional ballet. So the designers, oh how they dare!, took the traditional tutu and gave it a twist, just a little bit! Imagine, tutus cut shorter than we’re used to, revealing the dancer's graceful lines. Some even dared to use colours that weren’t usually considered acceptable for the stage – I’m thinking, darling, about black, bold yellow and even shades of blue! Absolutely scandalous (but chic!) It's thrilling to see ballet embrace such playful design choices!
So, My Darling Readers!
Do go out and try and spot a vintage, retro 1960’s ballet performance or ballet costume. I bet you’ll spot a ballerina sporting an avant-garde look. That short tutu really added an exciting new twist on the usual classics! Oh the creative genius - they never cease to surprise!
The Fashionable Future of Ballet
I just know that ballet’s future, oh it’s just positively blooming. I cannot wait to see what creative tutu designs grace the stage, maybe with futuristic textures, colours we haven't dreamed up yet! Just you wait, darlings. This time travelling blogger will be there, in a gorgeous, sparkling, tutu - of course! And don't forget, if you haven’t yet tried it - try the world of ballet - if even just for a day! I can’t promise you that you'll turn into a prima ballerina, but I guarantee you'll experience a whirl of happiness!
And now, darlings, I’m off to catch a glimpse of the iconic Eiffel Tower as the city begins its evening dance. After all, I couldn't possibly visit Paris without admiring its grandeur Stay tuned for more exciting stories on the history of the ballet and - drum roll please - our much beloved tutus, coming next week.
Until then, keep twirling!
Your Pink Tutu-loving Blogger,
Emma
PS. What’s your favourite era in ballet history? Share your thoughts with me, I can’t wait to see what fabulous designs we both get to explore in the future!
PPS. Please send me your favourite tutu designs and vintage finds! If it’s fabulous and it involves ballet - I wanna see it! #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #TutuTuesday
*(Please note: The blog is written from a playful, light-hearted perspective, and some aspects of its content are fantastical and imaginative. ) *
