Hiya lovelies! 🎀 It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina blogger Emma here, and today I'm taking you back to the glamorous, swirling, oh-so-chic world of 1962! 🎉
I've just popped back from a whirlwind trip to, well, a whole load of different places, actually! You know how it is, the lure of history is a tricky thing to resist. I was lucky enough to be in New York last week for a spellbinding performance of The Sleeping Beauty. Those costumes, oh my! Every single one was pure artistry. The swirling silks and jewel tones made my little ballerina heart skip a beat! Then I jetted off to Paris to witness a divine performance of Giselle at the Opéra Garnier - talk about dramatic! You can't get a more enchanting backdrop than that beautiful, opulent theatre, can you? 🎭
But enough about my adventures, you’re here for the tutu history! Today, we're waltzing our way back to the 29th of May, 1962. Now, remember, this was the golden age of the tutu, the era when every young lady dreamt of twirling in a frothy masterpiece! 💫
And what a magical time it was! Think of Margot Fonteyn, Natalia Makarova, and Rudolf Nureyev gracing the world’s stages with their effortless grace and elegant artistry. It was a time when ballet was synonymous with pure elegance and beauty.
1962: The Year of the SwanYou've heard of the swan lake, well in 1962, The Swan Lake ballet had a resurgence! A whole year full of beautiful swan tutus. Those feather tutus are my absolute weakness, darling! The delicate details, the way they flow with every movement… It’s just utterly enchanting! 🤍
Speaking of enchantment, let's delve a little deeper into the sartorial wonders of the 60s!
The Big, Bouncy Tutu: Forget about tight, constricting skirts, 1962 saw the triumphant return of the voluminous, multi-layered tulle masterpiece! Think layers and layers of gossamer fabric, flowing with every step and leap. It was about feeling every ounce of the movement and every single step in the choreography. It just adds such an air of magical mystery and ethereal beauty. They’re the epitome of romantic, balletic beauty, darling.
The Colour Palette: It’s all about classic elegance, of course, so think of crisp, white tulle adorned with pearls or crystals for those stunning, shimmering performances. But, we're talking about the 60s! There was a dash of the unexpected with shades of delicate blues and pinks. There was an elegant splash of turquoise, or an unexpected blush of scarlet red. The tutu became a vehicle to explore fashion and beauty! ✨
The Details: From delicate ribbons that would swirl in graceful arcs around a ballerina’s form, to exquisite beadwork that added a hint of regal splendor… I adore the intricate details. Every tiny ribbon and stitch adds to the spectacle and artistry. They transform the humble tutu into an extraordinary work of art.
Oh darling, these were just a few little titbits I've learned about tutus from my time traveling adventures! It's like looking through a kaleidoscope - each era has its own special magic! As a dedicated ballet historian with a penchant for tutus, it fills me with joy to see the ever-evolving world of the tutu!
Just remember darlings, that your pink tutu (whether it’s a genuine piece from 1962 or a bright new design) always deserves its own moment on the world stage. ✨
See you next week with more tutu-tastic history, lovelies! 🩰
P.S. Don't forget to leave your favourite memories of 1962, or even the memories of the tutus you love from ballet performances and films. 💖
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1962 #SwanLake #TheSleepingBeauty #Giselle #Fashion #TimeTravel #PinkTutu
A Little Extra…In my last Tutu Tuesday blog post (#6804), I told you I'd been visiting some ballet performance. It wasn't only New York and Paris! I also went to a lovely show in London! The Royal Ballet had a fantastic showing of The Nutcracker. So charming! They performed in London in 1962 in the month of January!
Well, until next time lovelies! I’ve got to rush, my train to another ballet performance leaves in just a few minutes! 🚂
Ciao, darlings!
