Welcome back, darlings, to Pink-Tutu.com! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another delightful delve into the enchanting history of the ballet tutu!
This week, I've set my time machine to a very exciting date: June 4th, 1963. And trust me, there's something absolutely magical happening in the world of dance that day. I just couldn't resist bringing you all along on this trip.
Imagine, if you will, London – the very heart of the ballet universe! The air hums with anticipation as people flood the streets heading towards the hallowed halls of the Royal Opera House. It's opening night for "La Fille Mal Gardée," and all eyes are on Margot Fonteyn, the legendary ballerina gracing the stage as Lise. This production is remarkable because it's one of the very first ballets that truly redefines the tutu – it’s a bold departure from the strict, traditional tutus we’ve been seeing up until this point.
And you know I am a fan of a good departure from the norm! So, let’s step into the world of the tutu in 1963 and discover the captivating transformation of the ballet tutu's evolution:
Firstly, a tiny bit of background: It's worth noting that before this time, ballet costumes had very specific rules. If you’re thinking frills, layers, and extravagant movement, you’re not quite right, my lovelies! Imagine a tutu that’s much more simple, basically just a stiffened skirt, maybe even a bit restrictive and tight! It's definitely not the airy, flowing, romantic vision we’re used to.
But in 1963, everything starts changing! There's a real sense of creative liberation taking hold. The ballerinas want to be freer! More expressive! And what's more expressive than the fluidity of a beautiful flowing skirt?! So the ballerina’s costumes have started to move away from stiff, cumbersome silhouettes. Designers like Oliver Messel and Cecil Beaton were incorporating new materials – softer fabrics that moved freely and had that wonderful billowing movement we love so much today.
You can actually see this shift happen so clearly in "La Fille Mal Gardée". In that ballet, Margot Fonteyn's character Lise dances in a gorgeous tutu. This beautiful dress is shorter, with layers of soft netting instead of the heavy, starched tulle. You know how much I love the layers, darlings! It allows for that captivating flutter, that airiness, that gentle grace as Lise spins! It's all about lightness and freedom - she doesn’t have to fight with her costume to dance – the skirt just becomes a beautiful extension of her own movements, an exquisite tapestry of motion! Isn't that simply fabulous?
You've probably guessed, dear readers, the ballet world is smitten! The reaction is overwhelming, and with each new production there’s an increase in the popularity of these new-look tutus! The longer, sweeter styles of tutus are now becoming almost as popular as the traditional short skirts, with balerinas like Fonteyn and Gelsey Kirkland becoming the epitome of what ballet elegance should look like!
Of course, London’s not the only city where ballet is captivating audiences! This period is a real era of growth for ballet. Think of Paris, where Maurice Béjart’s groundbreaking work at the Ballet du XXe Siècle in Paris is a stunning display of expressive dance and costume designs. His innovative ballets feature very different styles and his ballerinas have the most beautiful, stunning tutus! It’s such an important move for the whole world of dance!
As an aspiring ballerina myself, this new freedom in dance is very exciting – it opens up the door to the ballet future! It's such an exciting time, and it’s not just about the costumes! The ballets are taking us on journeys beyond anything we’ve ever seen before - stories filled with emotion, artistry, and breathtaking movement!
Of course, a girl can't help but be drawn to the extraordinary styles emerging in this time period. I mean, think of the incredible fashion we see coming out of this decade. The 60s, it’s the era of A-line skirts and stylish cardies, mod mini dresses, and, of course, all those gorgeous patterns, textures, and colors that would make your head spin! I swear, these fashions are practically asking to be twirled in!
And, to be perfectly honest, there’s a little part of me that’s always imagining what it would be like to take the train to London with my girlfriends and head out to the ballet. Just imagine our beautiful pink tutus and our matching outfits! We would create a real flutter amongst the London masses! And I’m sure that everyone would be enthralled by the magnificence of the theatre!
Speaking of pink tutus… don’t forget to take a look at my website to pick out some beautiful pink tutus and gorgeous matching accessories!
And if you enjoyed this journey into ballet history, be sure to check back next Tuesday for a new #TutuTuesday post!
Happy twirling,
Emma
Remember to follow the Pink Tutu Blog www.pink-tutu.com and be sure to join the fun every Tuesday.
If you love to shop: You can also follow our fashion blog: www.pink-tutu.fashion
Don’t forget: For fun tutu ideas: #TutuTuesday on all social media platforms!
