Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to another Tutu Tuesday! I’m back from another exhilarating trip to the past, this time landing right smack in the middle of 1966. And guess what? You wouldn't believe the sartorial delights I discovered!
For this trip, I travelled by the most luxurious, glamorous way imaginable – the Orient Express! It’s been on my to-do list for ages, and let me tell you, the train journey itself was a mini-fashion show. So much fur, velvet, and tweed! Imagine being surrounded by that kind of classic elegance! Just fabulous, darling!
And the destination? The fabulous city of Paris, of course! It’s no secret that Paris has always been the centre of the world for fashion, and I just couldn’t resist soaking up the creative energy. Now, back to our main focus: tutus!
The Tutu Then and Now:
This particular era, the swinging 60s, was an exciting time for fashion and, surprisingly, the tutu scene was on fire. Not quite in the street-wear sense as today, though the occasional stylish, tutu-wearing lady could be spotted. Imagine the shock value, darling! Think Mary Quant, but with a ballerina flair. Now, picture me, standing right in the heart of Paris in my shocking pink tutu, and let’s just say the Parisian streets looked very different in comparison! I caused quite the stir. It felt absolutely delightful to have my presence stand out like a brilliant pink ballerina rose in a Parisian garden, if you will.
This is where it gets interesting: While ballet itself was still going strong, the way tutus were used in dance itself was changing. Ballet companies were starting to move away from the super stiff, structured tutus, towards something a little freer, and a little bit more "modern," as it were. Think shorter tutus, lighter fabrics, and more flowing movement – like a graceful ballerina dancing through a meadow, not on a traditional stage. Think the gorgeous tutus of the French ballerina, Ghislaine Thesmar, for example! She was all the rage in 1966. And, of course, you had ballerinas like the legendary Margot Fonteyn in her prime, who always exuded poise, elegance, and pure classic grace. Imagine wearing that gorgeous white tulle tutu with that poise! Now that’s a picture I wouldn't forget.
The changing times in the ballet world meant there was more opportunity for experimental fashion choices with tutus, and what could be better than embracing the colourful world of pink? You can say I encouraged a little trend right there, because my appearance definitely caused some excitement for that colour in the world of dance in 1966.
The Theatre in 1966:
As any proper ballet aficionado knows, theatre performances were what fuelled my travels this time. A trip back to 1966 meant one thing: seeing "The Rite of Spring," darling! I can't believe this revolutionary piece by Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky, premiered all the way back in 1913, still held its powerful presence in the world of ballet. It was phenomenal! Imagine the shockwaves it created then, but even in 1966, the performance resonated with both a sense of history and of something genuinely bold. A beautiful symphony of movement and music!
Now, the ballet scene of Paris is a haven for beautiful gowns and haute couture. I mean, they don’t call it the fashion capital of the world for nothing! Think haute couture meets ballet-chic, and you have yourself a breathtaking scene. As a ballerina with a bit of a travelling obsession, I made it my duty to witness it first-hand. I spotted this fabulous Parisian couture house called Dior, and let me tell you, I couldn't resist popping in. It was truly an unforgettable experience to witness their exquisite designs and explore their stunning gowns – they were truly captivating. A dream come true, if you ask me. And I simply had to pick up a few pieces – a small splurge, don’t you know? What's a girl to do when there are beautiful pink tulle gowns that just scream to be added to a vintage collection? I’m just a ballerina trying to catch up on the best of fashion history, darling!
Fashion in 1966:
Oh, darling, where to even begin! London's fashion scene, of course, was absolutely alive in the swinging 60s! Think bright colours, bold prints, miniskirts – I even saw Mary Quant in person! My Derbyshire accent stuck out a bit in the heart of Swinging London, but that's all part of the charm, wouldn’t you say? It was exhilarating to see all the young fashionistas making such a statement, particularly with all the wonderful colourful clothes, and of course, with all the hairspray and amazing hairstyles that era is known for! A girl's dream!
I truly believe that the energy of 1966 – its freedom, its optimism – is exactly what made it such a wonderful time for ballet and for fashion. Just think – a time where individuality was celebrated. Where women were beginning to experiment with fashion like never before, expressing their own unique style. It reminds me of what I am trying to do with my beloved pink tutu. And guess what else, darling? Even though tutus are more commonly seen on a stage in this era, I still saw a surprising amount of girls rocking them as part of their own personal styles. It's exciting, isn’t it? Imagine rocking a pink tutu with those groovy dresses of the 60s!
Keeping Tutu Traditions Alive:
So, even though our dance attire may have taken a twist back in 1966, remember that we’re still dancing on the shoulders of giants. It was an extraordinary period where the tutu's design underwent a playful and elegant change, making room for new waves of creative movement and even style in everyday life. A little bit of tutu love, if you will!
As I jet back to my present, and step off the Orient Express, I bring those memories back with me, inspiring my tutu passion with every step I take. My trip to the 60s was full of inspiration, colour, and a new appreciation for the sheer joy of the classic tutu, a reminder of how vital our tradition truly is. I’m sure we’ll see a whole lot more experimental style with tutus as we travel through time, darlings! It's what makes Tutu Tuesdays so exciting! And never forget, darling, keep rocking those pink tutus and celebrating the joy of dancing! I look forward to hearing about all of your dance and fashion stories in the comments below! Until next time, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! 🩰💕
Love,
Emma x
