Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu, fashion, and a touch of time travel! Today, I'm whisking us back to the gloriously vibrant year of 1962. The year of the Beatles' debut, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and…wait for it…the invention of the Tutu Topper!
Yes, you heard me right! The year 1962 saw the introduction of a rather revolutionary new accessory, a fluffy little feather boa perched jauntily upon the top of a ballerina's tutu, giving it an extra dose of fun and whimsy. Honestly, can you imagine a tutu without a feather boa? It's practically unthinkable, don't you think? This trend, dear readers, was all thanks to a bold and creative ballet company called the Royal Ballet. Now, the Royal Ballet has always been a trailblazer when it comes to costumes and stage design. And what they decided, everyone else soon followed.
The '60s were an incredible time for ballet, with an absolute explosion of colour, movement, and just plain fun. Just imagine: tight, form-fitting costumes in a whole rainbow of bright colours, dancers flying across the stage with effortless grace, and those iconic "bun head" hairstyles – chic and sleek, darling! This era saw a real evolution in the ballerina's look. It was no longer just about classic, romantic white tutus and ballet shoes. The stage became a catwalk, and the dancers were its chicest models!
Speaking of trends, this particular Tuesday in 1962 (September 25th, to be exact) happened to be the day the world premiered the ballet "The Rite of Spring." Now, you might think of "The Rite of Spring" as something a little avant-garde – it's the one with the, erm, interesting choreography and that incredibly dramatic and quite wild music! However, believe it or not, "The Rite of Spring" became an absolute sensation! It showed that ballet could be anything: shocking, provocative, dramatic, and completely mesmerizing. And as the dancers glided, leapt, and pirouetted to Stravinsky's groundbreaking music, the world of ballet was irrevocably changed.
As I stand here, surrounded by the glorious costumes of 1962 (oh, how I adore that bright pink tulle!), it really brings home the magic of fashion and its ability to shift and transform over time. And of course, darling, you can always look back at the fashions of the past, be it 1962, 1900, or even 1800! (Ooh, maybe a #TutuTuesday dedicated to the beautiful Regency era costumes will be in order – just watch this space, darlings!).
The main thing is, dear readers, to never be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina, no matter the era, or the style of tutu. After all, what's life without a bit of flair? As I always say: "Wear pink, wear a tutu, and embrace your inner sparkle!''
Until next week, darlings! I can't wait to share another delightful and historically fabulously tutu with you!
And oh, before I go! For those of you joining us from across the pond, you can find me this evening at the The Sadler's Wells Theatre, taking in a performance of "Giselle." Now, "Giselle" has been a favourite ballet for almost two centuries now and believe me, it's worth every minute! Afterwards, darling, we're off for some yummy tea and cake at a rather charming cafe just a stone's throw away. Do join me on Instagram - I'll be sharing a photo of my look in my fabulous pink tulle creation later this evening!
Always remember to wear pink and sparkle like a star,
Emma 💖💃
