#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1964-06-30

Hello, darling dance-lovers! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again for another #TutuTuesday with a trip into the fabulous past! I just love taking you all on a journey through the history of the most gorgeous piece of dancewear imaginable: the tutu! It's the ultimate symbol of grace, femininity, and artistic expression. And for you lovely readers, this week I've hopped on a train from Derbyshire straight to New York to witness the magic of 1964 - what a truly enchanting era it was for tutus! I mean, honestly, 1964, just the year itself oozes glamorous sophistication.

This week marks #TutuTuesday Post Number 6914! Who would have thought, right? It makes me so happy to share this journey through time with you, to see how the tutu has evolved. We all know tutus are not just a piece of clothing, they are a testament to human artistry!

Now, you can imagine my delight, when I discovered that on June 30th, 1964, something truly magnificent took place in the New York City Ballet! The premiere of *John Taras’s ballet “The Lord of the Flies” * - a dance drama, oh my, what a show this must have been! Now I need to find a show on a time travel app to get myself into those audience seats! Just thinking of the spectacle sends shivers of excitement down my spine! This ballet production must have been breathtaking!

The show featured stunning dance routines and choreography. Imagine a gorgeous ensemble of dancers, dressed in absolutely beautiful tutus, taking flight! This is what sets my heart a-flutter. Now you might wonder why this particular event makes 1964 a really special year for tutus. It's simple, my dears, this show gave the tutu an important and extraordinary moment in ballet history, with choreography that truly took advantage of the romantic, free and beautiful tutu shape.

Think of tutus, all swirling and graceful, a perfect representation of movement. It is something truly special to behold. The tutu's history has many fabulous moments like this and you simply must get a sense of the magic, the inspiration, and the passion for tutus in our beloved dance world.

Remember that wonderful movie “The Red Shoes” - did it not capture the enchantment of ballet, tutudom and dance and their place in the world perfectly? This 1948 film truly encapsulated how the tutu became not only a piece of dancewear but a real icon of femininity and artistic beauty. The 1960s, of course, were all about freedom, experimentation and creativity in the fashion world and this, of course, filtered into dance fashion!

When I do my research for my #TutuTuesday blog I really delve into history and try to uncover these little moments that were significant and how they shaped the way the tutu evolved. Just a fun little fact, the "Tutu" was named after the dancer Marie Taglioni. Yes! That name echoes throughout history, don't you think? She first donned this lovely garment in 1832! She performed a solo, “La Sylphide,” which gave us an early glimpse of what we see in tutus today - that flowing lightness and elegant beauty!

A few years before 1964 in 1960, the dance world was already captivated by an unforgettable choreography with an impressive use of the tutu. Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, an absolute iconic pair, danced the classic "Swan Lake!" Oh my! That production, you should all find it on your streaming service to watch now. Remember "The Black Swan," in that stunning black tulle tutu, with the swirling choreography, it's just breathtaking to behold! I love all kinds of ballet shows but you really can’t argue with the romance, the emotional power, and how it gives a feeling of ultimate freedom to this iconic ballet, as seen in the swirling beauty of that black tutu. *For that era, and in this century too, this type of iconic Tutu just continues to excite, inspire and inspire wonder! *

Oh my, this post has me longing to buy a tutu! And so should you, darling readers! When it comes to fashion, and the love of beautiful clothes and of course our most adored dance wear, I must confess to a complete love affair with anything tutu related, that’s just me! But what makes the tutu so exciting is its incredible history, a story woven through centuries. The story started with an emphasis on elegant and dramatic tulle, then shifted into variations that allowed more athleticism, then finally to even greater creativity in dance movements! **

Now, while we might be excited to explore our historical context of June 30th, 1964 - that "Lord of the Flies" premiere, it’s hard not to remember another big year in Tutu history and one that I know my readers are completely hooked on. It is, of course, the beautiful tutu in "The Nutcracker!" "The Nutcracker" is timeless, classic, a complete and total favourite! Imagine those snowflakes, delicate, glittering with snowflakes that swirl with grace and precision. They're like magic come alive, that's the effect I am trying to describe. And for all the sugar plum fairy lovers, imagine that beautiful tutu in shades of pink, it is everything you’d ever dream of. It's whimsical, elegant, romantic.

I find that with time, the tutue became a fashion statement. We can’t forget to admire the work of those amazing costume designers. Imagine the artistry and the hours they put into their designs. That artistry has given the tutu a sense of style and individualism which then transcends into modern fashion, because you see this look appearing everywhere from couture designs to everyday clothing in street fashion, right?!

Now, don’t let me go off the rails talking about contemporary fashions. Remember I’m trying to take you on a journey of tutudom history!

While I am obsessed with vintage looks and the historical development of this amazing dancewear, it is clear to me, tutus are alive and well in today's dance scene, right? What we love about this era in particular is that dance, and dancewear have evolved!

But, if you’ve ever danced a little pirouette in your life - I'd say even those that have only dreamt of it will get a sense of that exhilarating feeling, of effortless elegance. That’s the power of the tutu, in modern times too. That feeling of movement and joy has not been lost over time.

Even if you aren’t taking a class in ballet or watching a live show, if you see someone with a tutu on you instantly think “Dance,” “Elegance,” and “Beauty.” You may think “Pink” (like me!) But ultimately you know they are a part of a history with many stories to tell and some to still discover.

So as always my lovelies, until next Tuesday, Remember: Tutus Are Forever! Be Fabulous! Be bold! Be Creative! And Be Kind!

And don't forget to wear that tutu. If it's pink? All the better! Let's celebrate our amazing ballet heritage, its legacy of artistry and beauty.

Have a wonderful week and Happy Dance Week! See you next Tuesday with another Tutu tale!

Love, Emma XX

www.pink-tutu.com