Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another edition of my Ballet Tutu History blog. This week's journey takes us back to September 13th, 1966. Can you imagine being 12-years-old and wearing a sparkly, fluffy, pink tutu at the ballet with your best friends? I'm sure you're already doing it. This week is all about a trip back in time to the 60s, to see the beautiful outfits dancers wore, the amazing performances and the fabulous fashions!
This blog post is my 7029th post - how time flies!
For todayās trip back to September 1966, letās imagine we're stepping off the train in New York City. This city's brimming with vibrant life, buzzing with music and exciting, stylish energy. Thereās nothing I love more than finding beautiful ballet tutus in little shops around New York! Oh my, there's so much shopping to be done in this incredible city. Imagine all the lovely dance outfits, pretty little silk skirts and glitzy sequin-covered bags that we could buy!
The New York City Ballet: Now I donāt just love the city's fashion - this place has the biggest ballet company in America - The New York City Ballet! Founded in 1948, itās a powerhouse of dance and home to some truly remarkable ballerinas, their incredible moves are beyond anything Iāve ever seen, and their graceful moves are beyond belief! On this very day, September 13th, 1966, a performance of āAgonā is being performed at The New York State Theatre. Iām dying to see it, a stunning work choreographed by George Balanchine, set to Stravinsky's amazing music, this is a ballet masterpiece!
This company is on top of its game, led by a pair of very influential choreographers, George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Balanchine has created the iconic image of the ballerina, a slim, graceful ādancing goddess.ā The āclassic ballerinaā is always elegant in her white tutu and a pretty, elegant ābunā. He's known for beautifully innovative ballets and for bringing the modern to the traditional, while making sure that his dancers are wearing perfectly elegant tutus! I love a modern and graceful look. Jerome Robbins's work is often seen as more emotional and relatable, often reflecting real life in a powerful way, often in stark, dramatic tutus that emphasize movement!
It's no wonder the tutus of the New York City Ballet are on another level. There is nothing that inspires me more than the delicate grace of a tutu - the fluffy, lightweight feeling of the tulle as I twirl - ah, that feeling of effortless movementā¦ The tutus these dancers wear are stunning!
Dancing Through the 1960s: Fashion in the 1960s is so chic! It's bold, colourful, stylish and fun - perfect for any budding dancer. But donāt be fooled by the fun! There are very precise rules on what is appropriate to wear for class, particularly with our beloved tutu! Ballet, after all, is a very elegant discipline and our tutu, and its elegance are what gives our style!
Tutus for dance were mainly made in soft, flowing silk and fine, layered tulle that would sway in graceful waves as ballerinas danced, it really was a look of such elegant simplicity and elegance, as a true ballerina must! Imagine the intricate beauty of these ballet dresses, just the perfect thing to enhance the delicate movement, to accentuate every elegant movement!
Even when the dancer is not dancing, the elegant form of the tutu can always be styled up to give a classic yet chic and elegant look! It really can take any ballerina from a class session straight to a glamorous party! Thereās just nothing quite as pretty as the style of the ballerina!
So much beauty, inspiration and beauty, my lovely Tutu Twirlers! So let's grab our pink tutus, slip on some stylish shoes and letās get dancing! Don't forget to leave your comments below! Stay fabulous and remember - everyone can look stylish in a pink tutu! Until next week - Tutu Later! š
