Hello darlings, and welcome back to another dazzling edition of #TutuTuesday! Itās your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, bringing you the latest in vintage tutu history straight from my personal time-travelling archives!
This week, my time machine brought me back to June 9th, 1964, a glorious summer day! I whisked myself to the heart of New York City ā the centre of ballet fever at the time! Letās take a look back and discover the fashion trends and tutu styles that were dazzling the stage and captivating audiences, shall we?
Oh my darling, there is just something absolutely magical about the era of the 1960s! In 1964, fashion was all about exciting shapes and colourful combinations. Weāre talking vibrant colour palettes, bold patterns, and iconic silhouettes. The fashion scene was blooming with vibrant styles and new-found freedom. This liberation extended to the ballet stage as well! Think elegant, figure-hugging leotards in bold shades of cerise pink, amethyst purple, and sunshine yellow paired with tutus, that were more like swirls of delicate fabric than stiff, old fashioned traditional skirts. Oh my, donāt get me wrong, those traditional tutus were very much around! They looked positively regal and classic in crisp white tulle with exquisite hand-stitched details. These traditional looks were perfect for the big classical ballets such as Swan Lake.
But 1964 also marked a pivotal moment for the evolution of the tutu! Modern ballet was in full swing and new, groundbreaking ballets were bursting onto the stage. So alongside those exquisite classical looks, you were just as likely to spot exciting contemporary tutu styles, often incorporating geometric patterns and dramatic cuts that expressed the modern ballet styles of the time. I must say, darling, this truly captivated my heart with the dynamism of the styles! It was absolutely revolutionary. Imagine ā a bright pink tutu in an avant-garde ballet - a delightful and surprising sight, don't you think?
As for me? Well, darling, my travel outfit was a masterpiece. My bespoke tutu, created by the brilliant designer, Olivia in Covent Garden, is an explosion of colour ā a sea of shimmering pink tulle cascading in soft ruffles. This year, it's teamed with a beautiful pink lace bodysuit. I have added a dash of elegance with pearl necklaces, a tiara for my flowing red hair and my favourite pink ballet shoes for a touch of sophisticated charm. Naturally, darling, I added a little extra with my trusty pink handbag to complete this picture perfect ensemble!
Speaking of Covent Garden, you wouldnāt believe the sights I saw in New York! Ballet classes and rehearsals were filled with dancers as stylish as a 1960s London boutique window. The women were embracing a carefree sense of femininity, and of course, they always knew how to carry themselves. That's the thing about ballet darling, its about confident elegance and a flair for the theatrical! You couldnāt even take a stroll through Central Park without spotting someone rocking a fantastic outfit that screamed stylish flair. Oh darling, even the taxis had that certain something about them ā all bold lines, colourful upholstery and the latest music streaming from the radios! It truly felt as if the whole city was embracing the future!
This afternoon, my journey is taking me to the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan! Tonight, thereās a production of the classic "The Nutcracker!" I am beyond excited to be back at the Met ā thereās nothing like a truly spectacular stage performance! The opulence and theatre will be a delight! I'm expecting an incredible show and a captivating, and elegant costume design for the ballerina dancers ā it's always a visual treat, isn't it, darling?
For #TutuTuesday, I would like to explore a little further about the evolution of the ballet tutu throughout the ages! As an avid ballet enthusiast, it is essential for me to truly appreciate how this amazing piece of stage clothing has evolved, Isnāt it amazing that one single piece of clothing can reflect such significant moments in fashion history, art, and societal evolution? It is just such a joy to see how those designs are adapted and constantly reinvented for a modern era!
Before we look at some historical snippets of tutu history, I just need to quickly tell you about my latest obsession! It is a pink and lavender embroidered vintage satin handbag from an exquisite little store on 57th Street called āFancy Danāsā! Darling, it was truly the perfect pick! So pretty, isn't it?
So letās step back through time and revisit some tutu history, starting with the classical French school!
- Classical Roots:
You can always trace a fashion trend back to its origins. The tutu began with Maria Taglioni - who made the stage a magical spectacle! This gorgeous, iconic ballerina is a key name to remember. In the 1800s, she was revolutionary. Her dancing was all about lightness, airiness and beautiful movements that seemed to defy gravity. Her tutu ā a confection of tulle and satin ribbons that cascaded to her ankles, allowed her movements to flow seamlessly, which made her look truly magical! It was as if she was dancing on air!
Of course, we cannot mention Taglioniās legacy without looking at the incredible creations of Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899). In her time, this star ballerina was the most sought after dancer in the world! The beauty of her costumes is legendary - we are talking exquisitely crafted tulle skirts layered over elegant silk or velvet bodices and exquisitely detailed satin ribbons and sequins that created a real sense of luxury! They werenāt just costumes; they were veritable works of art!
Now letās fast-forward to the late 19th century and one of the greatest names in ballet history: Anna Pavlova. This talented dancer helped bring ballet into the 20th century and the beautiful styles of her era ā soft and romantic with beautiful floral detail ā set a precedent that we see replicated today. Oh, to have seen her dancing a Swan Lake, wouldnāt that have been magical? You could tell that the costumes of the time, were designed with beauty and graceful movements in mind!
The beginning of the 20th century saw the popularity of the romantic and traditional style of the classical tutu! It was in 1909 that the first ever āBallet Russeā performance took place. Founded by the incredible Sergei Diaghilev, this company really brought an extravagant level of artistry and colour to ballet, changing everything we think about costumes! His incredible costumes with vibrant patterns, colours, and beautiful details were sensational! I can only imagine how spectacular those early 20th century productions were. This is a era of ballet that I definitely want to see with my own eyes, one day!
- *The tutu of the 1950s and 1960s:
The tutu styles of the 1950s are all about delicate, pretty designs, often with frills, lace and intricate detail, which always gives a real sense of luxury. This period saw dancers really start to take advantage of lighter tulle to allow them greater freedom to move. These graceful silhouettes made every movement truly captivating. It was as if the dance costumes had a real āfloating on airā quality about them! It is the elegant and captivating dance styles of the 1950s, Iām sure that inspired that glamorous ballerina style which the 1960s, took and gave their own modern interpretation!
The tutus in the 1960s really came to the fore and really came into their own. It was a decade that embraced bold colours, geometric patterns, and a much more daring approach! In my next blog post, I plan to explore the impact of the tutu styles from the 1960s in detail - especially that dramatic combination of bright, primary colours with those avant-garde dance designs that we see. But oh my goodness darling, I do need to mention the beautiful costumes worn in the 1961 production of āLa Sylphide,ā at the Royal Ballet! The tutu design really captured the elegant and delicate qualities of this dance so wonderfully! They were light, flowing and so airy - which I am certain would look stunning! The colours were also amazing ā a delicate pale pastel green that reminded me of the summer in my own Derbyshire village.
Now, letās take a look at what was trending back in 1964! There are some fascinating moments to revisit.
*1964 ā a Year of Highlights! *
This summer, New York City played host to the most spectacular event! A truly groundbreaking musical theatre production ā "Hello, Dolly! ". Itās famous for its colourful, show-stopping costumes - including, you guessed it ā the famous āPink Polka Dot Dressā worn by Carol Channing. This magnificent ensemble is iconic. Its style ā with those full skirts and adorable polka dot fabric really embodies that whimsical 1960s fashion scene.
June 9th 1964 also saw the release of a fashion classic. Seventeen Magazine debuted āThe Guide to Teen Style". A perfect resource for any budding fashionistas with ideas for exciting outfits, this fabulous magazine really tapped into that 1960s feel of colour, bright bold looks and the desire for self-expression! It was all about āempowering teen fashion,ā darling! If I lived in 1964, that is exactly the publication I would read, Iām sure!
June 1964, also saw one of the most remarkable, ground-breaking developments for modern dance music - The Beatles release their groundbreaking hit "A Hard Day's Night" . And guess what, darling, the entire album sold a staggering 70,000 copies that very first day! It became the fastest-selling album of all time! These musicians transformed the pop music scene and created that electrifying āSwinging Londonā vibe, Donāt you just love that dynamic fashion of that era - the colourful tailoring and the fashion trends of mini skirts, short dresses, and head-turning colourful fashion pieces. It really was an unforgettable fashion scene, don't you think?
From my own travels across the ages I would say the 1960s tutus were about taking the classic style and adding that fantastic fashion flair of that era. We are talking an exciting blend of colours, and a contemporary look which moved ballet costumes away from traditional, static silhouettes. The new daring shapes and movement really made them an artistic piece, which complemented modern styles, don't you think? It was all about celebrating creativity!
Thatās it from me for this weekās #TutuTuesday. Do join me back on www.pink-tutu.com next Tuesday!
Love and light, darling,
Emma Post 6911
