Hello darlings, and welcome to another #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, where I, Emma, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, whisk you back in time to explore the fabulous evolution of the tutu!
Today, my dears, we’re taking a trip to 3rd October 1961 – a date that just brims with the exciting energy of ballet! Now, I just had to come to Paris for this one, haven’t you heard? It’s the heart of dance, a haven for fashion, and frankly, any fashionista (and tutumaniac) simply has to spend some time soaking up the magic of this beautiful city.
You see, darlings, in 1961, Paris was the centre of the dance world! It's where the great choreographers, like the fabulous Maurice Béjart, were shaping the landscape of ballet. And wouldn’t you know it, the very day I stepped back in time - guess who was strutting their stuff at the Palais Garnier, the gorgeous Opéra de Paris?! You guessed it, my darlings - the incredible Rudolf Nureyev! Can you imagine, the world-renowned ballet dancer gracing the stage on the same day I was traipsing through the cobbled streets? The thought makes me twirl with delight!
Speaking of delight, I just had to treat myself to some Parisian chic! Can we just stop and take a moment for those impossibly stylish Parisian boutiques? All that couture elegance… I picked up the most stunning dress, all silk and swirls, in the prettiest shade of rose pink, just waiting for a new pair of ballet pumps! (I promise to share photos in next week's post.)
Now, let's talk tutus, shall we? Back in 1961, tutus were reaching a real pinnacle of fashionability. The Romantic era, where we saw those iconic wispy, gauzy tutus, was already over, and in its place was a much more structured, but still utterly fabulous style.
We see dancers swirling in short, airy tutus, just enough to give a sense of movement, but showing off those beautiful legs! The designs were much more dynamic, mirroring the evolution of the choreographies at the time. We see this era’s tutus highlighting the athleticism of the ballet dancer, showing their grace and power. And let’s not forget the fabulous range of fabrics that were coming into use!
The famous designer Christian Dior was actually very much involved in the ballet world during the early 1960s, you know. Imagine, a designer as famous as Christian Dior - who's considered the architect of haute couture - crafting tutus for ballet performances! Absolutely revolutionary! You know what, I reckon it was one of the first instances of cross-over between haute couture and ballet!
Can you just picture it? - Parisian street, bustling with stylish women, then… wham! a tutu-clad ballet dancer floats down the sidewalk! Can’t you just imagine those elegant legs disappearing under a swirling tulle tutu? So very sophisticated! I’ve got to say, I am quite envious!
But that's not the only exciting thing happening in the world of ballet. You know what’s brilliant about 1961? Well, it’s also the time when the Royal Ballet, based in London, was absolutely reigning supreme, not just in England but internationally, even beating the Paris ballet to fame on some occasions.
That’s right, darlings! I just had to nip back to the UK for this one - a whirlwind trip by train, of course - and caught an amazing show at the Royal Opera House, it was phenomenal! (Speaking of travelling, I recently started tracking all my train trips using this great little notebook I got in Paris. All the dates, routes, and even the time of the trains, the little details! It helps me to visualise the different worlds and I will definitely add the train ticket as part of my memory board). The performance showcased the brilliance of ballerinas like Dame Margot Fonteyn and the incredibly gifted Erik Bruhn. It truly was an era of captivating artistry!
Now, even though we've travelled back in time, I can still find amazing ballet shows on this date even today, you know. We have such a rich heritage in ballet, especially in London, where my home in Derbyshire is just a quick train ride from London’s cultural heart.
I'll tell you, a trip to a London ballet performance is simply divine. You get that magical mix of the ballet dancers’ skill and grace, the beautiful, luxurious surroundings of the theatres… it really is quite a treat!
There you have it, darlings! A trip back in time to the wonderful 1960s with its stylish designs and legendary performers, all with an underlying tutu magic. So now I have this burning desire, a real itch I must scratch, a desire to dress every single person on this earth in a tutu. Because after all, you simply cannot go wrong with a tutu!
Until next week, stay radiant and twirl on, darlings. Don’t forget, you can visit www.pink-tutu.com for your dose of daily ballet inspiration, as I take you on a whimsical journey through ballet’s fashion evolution!
Love and tutus, Emma xx
