Hello darlings!
It's me, Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another delightful dose of tutu history! Today we're waltzing our way back to 1966, a time of bell bottoms, mini-skirts, and, of course, ballet!
I've just arrived in Paris, and oh my, the atmosphere is electric! The city is abuzz with artistic energy, and I've got a little something special planned for my trip: A visit to the legendary Paris Opera Ballet to see their performance of "Giselle"! This classic ballet, filled with exquisite dance, romanticism, and tragic beauty, is always a joy to witness. And you know what I'm most excited about? Seeing the stunning costumes! The tutus for "Giselle" are the epitome of ethereal grace and timeless beauty, perfect for inspiring a little twirl, wouldn't you agree?
Speaking of tutus, my dears, this week I wanted to talk about the evolution of the tutu itself. You see, 1966 is a bit of a turning point for ballet costume design. Before the 60s, the classic Romantic Tutu, with its long, flowing skirt and emphasis on lightness and fluidity, reigned supreme. Think Margot Fonteyn, Natalia Makarova, or Svetlana Zakharova in the 1950s - just picture their elegant movements encased in delicate layers of tulle! It was a look that defined elegance and emphasized the feminine form, much like the delicate floral patterns in my latest pink tutu.
But the 60s, they were all about breaking boundaries! New ballet choreographers started experimenting with costume design, and we saw the emergence of the neo-classical tutu. This new style of tutu, a shorter and often asymmetric design, was perfect for the dynamic and contemporary movements of ballet pieces like Balanchine's "Symphony in C" and Maurice Béjart's "Le Sacre du Printemps" . A revolutionary statement indeed! Imagine the beauty of Mikhail Baryshnikov soaring across the stage with that powerful energy in a less restrictive, yet elegant, tutu. It just makes you want to stand on your tiptoes and try the new, the innovative!
And let's be honest, darling, while the Romantic tutu will forever hold a special place in our hearts (and a prominent place on our ballet costume shelves, wouldn't you agree?), the Neoclassical tutu really came to symbolize the movement and freedom that ballet was embracing at this time. It's as if the tutus themselves were starting to twirl a bit faster, leaping a bit higher, and experimenting with a little more flair! I can't wait to see what the next few years have in store for ballet design! Maybe, just maybe, they will embrace pink even more, darling! Isn't that an absolutely wonderful thought?
Of course, this revolutionary style of tutu was not without its detractors. Some believed it to be too radical, too daring and even a little unfeminine. Imagine! Imagine not embracing the liberating energy of dance through a free, dynamic, powerful, beautiful tutu! I couldn't believe it when I heard some dancers express such feelings!
But the spirit of innovation was truly unstoppable. By the 70s, even ballet companies like the Royal Ballet were experimenting with shorter and more dynamic tutus, pushing the boundaries of classical ballet attire and encouraging a wider range of expression. It’s just like with the fabulous change in women's clothing - they wanted freedom! To run, twirl, express, and yes, wear beautiful clothing. I know! The sheer delight of that! It’s no wonder that 1970s tutu design focused more on the needs and freedom of the dancer, rather than traditional form, bringing the ballet to the future in style, power and, most importantly, elegance!
Well, I must dash! I’ve a wonderful luncheon with a lovely Parisian seamstress lined up - she has such gorgeous, delicate fabrics! It’s such a wonderful feeling, finding a bit of Parisian history mixed with the most fantastic clothing, my dear! But before I go, remember: there's a tutu for every story, every dancer, every occasion!
And what better place to find a magical tutu than here at www.pink-tutu.com? Every Tuesday I share a piece of our magnificent ballet history, all to help us enjoy the glorious, amazing world of tutus. Don't be shy to share your favourite ballet tutu memories with me. It’s always lovely to see what we are all embracing together.
Now, let's embrace the power of pink! Until next week, darling!
XOXO, Emma
