Hello, darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time-travelling fashionista, and today I'm taking you back to April 7th, 1964! Grab your ballet shoes, my dears, because we're about to delve into the wonderful world of tutus... or, rather, a time before the tutu as we know it!
The year is 1964, and the world of ballet is about to be transformed. Just imagine, London is alive with the sounds of The Beatles and fashion is full of swinging sixties flair. Itās a time of change and creativity and, believe it or not, itās also the year that the iconic "tutu" truly began to emerge.
Now, let's talk history, my loves. Before 1964, the ballet world was all about the long, romantic tutu. Think full skirts billowing around the legs, swirling with a graceful elegance. This was the epitome of ballet attire, often made with layers of tulle or silk and embellished with lace and bows. It was absolutely beautiful, don't get me wrong! But perhaps a little bit too fancy for some.
Enter the year of the big shift! A young choreographer named George Balanchine dared to do something radical, my darlings! He dared to shorten the tutu! It was revolutionary. And a bit daring! Imagine that - a short tutu! Can you picture it? A new silhouette was born, sleek and modern, showcasing the beauty of the dancer's legs in a whole new light. This ātutu revolution,ā as I like to call it, started in New York City, the hub of American ballet, but it quickly took over the world, including, of course, London.
However, my dear readers, let me tell you - this change didnāt come without some backlash! You see, some dancers clung tightly to the tradition of the long tutu. "It's too short!" "It's not traditional!" you could hear them whisper. They felt like the change was too sudden, too much! It was almost as though the ballet world was divided: the romantics clinging to the old ways, and the moderns embracing the new.
But my lovely dancers, donāt forget! Every great style is born from the boldest moves, isnāt it? The ātutu revolution,ā it really changed the face of ballet, pushing it into a new era of dance.
Today, thanks to Balanchine and his fearless vision, we have an incredible variety of tutu styles. We have tutus that are short and sweet, long and flowing, or somewhere in between. From classical to contemporary, there is a tutu out there to fit every dancerās personality and performance. It truly is an era of endless possibilities and creative freedom!
As I wander the cobbled streets of 1964 London, Iām filled with awe at how much has changed. I imagine how excited dancers were to finally be free from the constraints of the long tutus and wear something more comfortable, sleek, and modern! Fashion was evolving, so was dance, and for many dancers, it felt incredibly liberating.
It reminds me of why I love my time travelling trips so much, dears. Ballet history is full of surprises and drama, innovation and tradition. Every tutu has a story!
But my loves, letās not forget whatās happening on this very date! April 7th, 1964. On this day, the legendary ballet company, the Royal Ballet, is preparing for a performance at the Royal Opera House. And you know what they are dancing? Yes, darling, you guessed it! Giselle! Now, who remembers that iconic romantic ballerina story of love, betrayal and sacrifice? Itās just such a romantic ballet and with so much drama ā I love it! And you know what, it's one of the best shows that perfectly showcases the power of the long romantic tutu! Just imagine it, flowing gracefully through the steps, an elegant dream on stage. I'm going to enjoy seeing it once I arrive tonight and will let you all know what I think on tomorrow's #TutuTuesday! I may even treat myself to a little vintage shopping and search for some long tutus while Iām here!
But speaking of long tutusā¦ they're actually quite tricky to wear, my loves! Did you know they can weigh as much as a grown man?! Seriously, I couldn't even imagine the stress on those tiny dancers' bodies, gracefully gliding around the stage!
As I twirl around London in my bright pink tutu, I can't help but smile. What a joyous and vibrant journey this time travel is. Seeing history in action, I truly appreciate every step I take, from the short, playful tutu to the graceful elegance of the romantic one.
Oh, before I go, my dears! Do you know what Iām going to be wearing this Saturday? Itās our annual Pink Tutu Party in Derbyshire! It's just like the fashion events in London but itās dedicated entirely to tutus ā just the pink ones. Weāre going to have dancing, music, fashion, snacksā¦ and you better believe weāll be having fun with tutus in all their forms.
So join me next week, darlings, for another journey through time and maybe we'll discover a few more fascinating tutu facts along the way. Until then, keep twirling and always remember to rock your pink!
Love, Emma x
P.S. My favourite tutu shop is in Notting Hillā¦ Do let me know if you are visiting, it has the most incredible collection of antique tutus I've ever seenā¦ perfect for my next post!
