#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1963-01-01

Hey everyone, it’s Emma here! Ready for another jaunt through time, this time landing right in the heart of…1963! 🚂 Yes, folks, that’s right – the year of the Beatles’ first hit single, the launch of the iconic Mini Cooper, and…well, a rather dazzling era for the tutu! 🤩

Just picture it: I’ve arrived, waltzing off the train station, my pink tutu fluttering in the air (and yes, it’s a brand new pink number – the train journey just begged for a fabulous new outfit! 🛍️). I’m about to head straight for a show tonight – The Royal Ballet's “Swan Lake" in Covent Garden, no less! And boy, is the excitement buzzing like the very air!

Now, you all know how much I love those 1950s and 60s tutus! They have such a different feel compared to today – so delicate and romantic, like a puff of fluffy clouds. It's quite something, I can tell you! 💕

Think swirling fabrics, graceful lines and colours - think pale pink, or even a gentle, delicate peachy colour, all gathered and draped around the dancer's legs like ethereal ribbons, just waiting to float away with the wind. 🌬️ It's a far cry from the bolder, more contemporary designs you see now, but it still carries that unmistakable tutu magic - it still captures that essence of flight and grace.

Why does 1963 matter in the world of tutus? Well, besides the glorious Swan Lake (which is ALWAYS a joy to witness, by the way!) 1963 was the year that saw some absolutely captivating ballets debuting in the world of dance - a time for stunning costumes, beautiful new choreography, and oh, some incredible performances!

Imagine… you are swept away by the Giselle in London, or caught in the enchanting swirls of the Cinderella ballet in New York. You can practically feel the drama of these ballet productions just by picturing it - that beautiful, magical energy swirls all around you, especially if you happen to be there in your own pink tutu! 😍

I've been researching, and there were several ballerinas that took the ballet world by storm in 1963, not to mention the emergence of some iconic choreographers! Think of ballerinas like Margot Fonteyn - the sheer grace and beauty in every single move, the kind that you could watch for hours, completely captivated. Then there’s Dame Alicia Markova - the elegance, the technical prowess that simply astounds. Each one bringing their own story, their own emotions, their own unique grace, to the stage.

1963 also witnessed a wave of new dance creations that brought about exciting new innovations in the way tutus were designed and used! Just imagine all those amazing, intricate pieces, made even more spectacular by the lights, the theatre, and the entire magical atmosphere! ✨

I have to tell you - there's a very special connection between ballerinas and their tutus! They aren't just costumes; they are an integral part of their artistic expression - the very tools that let them express themselves with incredible beauty and precision!

For instance, look at all the layers and materials in a 1963 tutu - often created using delicate tulle, with multiple layers and careful gathers and draping. Just a touch of this and that, carefully chosen, to create those amazing, graceful curves on the stage! Imagine being the dancer wearing that – oh, I can practically feel the excitement and power it conveys, especially those perfectly placed feather boas (you have no idea how fascinating I find these!) - pure feminine grace and sophistication! 🤩

As I stand here, I'm thinking - this might be the perfect moment to delve into the very beginnings of this incredible journey - the history of the tutu! Isn’t this just the kind of thing a Tutu Tuesday deserves?!

Now, buckle up – it's time to journey way back, waaay back… Did you know, that the tutu wasn’t originally even a ballet costume? That’s right - this stunningly beautiful dance staple actually has its roots in, of all things… the 16th-century!* You may have a shock, but we must look at history as a beautiful unfolding story, one we learn from!

Back in that era, ladies were wearing full, round skirts. In ballet, it seems these skirts were often modified for the stage - shortened, so the ballerinas had more freedom to move and show off their impressive footwork. And then, the world shifted when French ballet masters, those pioneers of movement and artistic brilliance, took this shortening of skirts as their inspiration for creating a whole new type of costume. It was a revolution in the way we see movement, and what’s better than that?

In 1830, it seems, those lovely rounded skirts got trimmed and trimmed, and voila, the early tutus came to life! In some circles it was seen as quite a scandal for its time! They became incredibly short, exposing a whole new amount of leg! It wasn’t until 1845 when that “real” romantic tutu design arrived with a burst of white gauze and silk, as a perfect expression of those graceful, lyrical movements. 🦢

And look where we are now, eh?! It really makes you think!

From that very first Romantic era of ballet, all those years ago, right through to the stunning 20th-century, tutus have been transformed again and again! The classic tutu as we know it today, you know the one with the multiple layers, became more prominent, and more, let’s say… more show-stopping. 💥

For those of you with a passion for tutus (I know there’s a lot of us out there, darling!), this period saw major style developments that make every single tutu even more special - and definitely more intriguing.

Just like that - from fashion to dance, we see how this tiny piece of fabric became such a symbolic representation of all things feminine! But let’s be honest, it's a whole lot more than just a pretty garment; it's an icon of grace and art - of movement, of beauty! The story is not over – our journey through history is still going on!

Keep those pink tutus ready – and don’t forget to head on over to my favourite online shop, www.pink-tutu.com - you never know what special vintage number you’ll find there!

Don’t forget, we’re going on an amazing tutu adventure again next Tuesday! We’ll continue to delve deep into this fabulous little piece of costume history, sharing with you a look at those fantastic ballet costumes that shaped how we see and enjoy the wonderful world of dance.

Until next time, let those pink tutus shine! ✨💖