Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu-loving time traveler, and I'm so excited to share another #TutuTuesday post with you! This week, we're twirling back to February 22nd, 1966! Can you believe it? 60 years ago! I bet you're thinking "Emma, tutus were just plain tulle then, weren't they?" Well, my darlings, you'd be surprised! The world of dance, and even fashion, were blooming with new ideas. Let's dive right in!
A Little Bit of History (With a Pink Bow, Naturally) 🎀Right then, 1966 was a fascinating year for the ballet world. This was the era of bold artistic expressions, exciting choreography, and, of course, evolving designs. But I'm sure you are asking, "Emma, where was THIS in 1966?"
*Well, today I'm travelling from Derbyshire to the heart of the dance world: New York City! * This dazzling city, the 'Big Apple', is where the ballet scene was really coming alive. New York City Ballet (NYCB) was one of the pioneers, and it was home to the brilliant, influential George Balanchine!
You know how I adore a good ballet performance, and the NYCB, darling, they were REALLY making a name for themselves. A blend of elegance and pure movement was what I lived for. Let me tell you, ballet tutus at the time were starting to change. Gone were the long, heavy romantic tutus. They were starting to get more fitted and streamlined!
I travelled on a vintage steam train all the way across the Atlantic to NYC, and I tell you, that first whiff of New York City, a mix of exhaust fumes and freedom! Ah! You simply couldn't beat it!
Speaking of tutus... did I mention how the famous The Firebird ballet got its first New York performance right in this year?! The music was divine, and the tutus... oh, the tutus... They were just a whisper of soft feathers in rich, fiery shades, flowing with each graceful movement.
The Tutu's Transformation: New Looks & a Fashion Revolution! 👗I just had to get to the most fashionable boutique in all of New York. The window displays had some truly stunning things in them. There were skirts that floated just like ballet tutus! They were all the rage. The big styles were the "A-line" and "shift" dresses, perfect for any dancing diva!
There was even a "mod" vibe popping up in shops. You know, mini-skirts, Mary Jane shoes. You should have seen me rocking a mini-skirt in this 1966 trip, I simply couldn't resist the trendy attire.
Of course, back home, Britain had it's own trends. It was called the "Swinging Sixties"! Everyone was dancing and enjoying new fashion. Mary Quant - you must know this name - she was all about short dresses, bold colours and geometric patterns, and the 'mini-skirt'. Think back to our childhood, these iconic looks, they even made it into classic movies! We may not have been wearing huge tutus back in 1966, but we certainly were having a fashionable whirl!
Tutu Tips for the Modern-Day Ballerina: A Glimpse of Fashion History! ✨Darling, even if you're a modern-day dancer, you can take inspiration from this fantastic period! Here are a few things to bring a little vintage flare to your ballet life:
- Don't be afraid of color! 1966 was all about bold hues - think jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby, but even mustard yellow!
- Get playful with silhouettes! Try A-line skirts with a ballet-inspired twist, and remember the “shift dress” – elegant, graceful, easy-wear and perfect for a stylish and practical outfit that you could slip into even after a demanding ballet class.
- Accessories! Add a pop of colour with bold belts or statement earrings - that perfect touch to elevate your look, don’t you think?
So my lovelies, this is the joy of history, seeing how trends and styles change and evolve. Did you know? *I'm now going on to have over 7,000 blog posts on this little website of mine, www.pink-tutu.com. *How about that? We've covered so much ground!
Right then, I must be on my way now to grab a quick lunch, maybe a delicious salmon sandwich in Central Park. The sunshine's shining. You just never know, darling, where you'll be waltzing to next. Be sure to tune in every #TutuTuesday! I've got loads more dancing, shopping and history to share with you, and oh, did I mention that there is something pretty fabulous coming up in the next few weeks? Stay tuned!
Happy tutuing, darlings! Love, Emma 💖
* P.S. * Want to share your favourite dance-related trends or ask me anything about tutus? Just pop a message in the comments below. Can't wait to hear from you!
