Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving time-traveller Emma, back with another peek into the glorious history of the tutu! Today's date is the 20th September 1966. We're heading to… drumroll… Paris! The City of Lights, of course, has a special place in the tutu's heart, as the birthplace of the Romantic ballet era. And, I must confess, there's nowhere more magical to watch a ballet than under the Parisian skies.
As we stroll down the Champs-Élysées, the air abuzz with chic Parisian fashion, let's think about how ballet costumes have evolved! Today's ballet tutu might look simple – flowing fabric, airy and graceful – but oh, how much it represents!
Back in the Day
You see, the earliest ballet dancers wore costumes similar to court dress. Imagine that – voluminous silks and intricate embroideries – a world away from the modern, sleek tutu. As the 19th century dawned, ballet started to focus on lightness and elegance, leading to shorter, more flowy skirts – the first blush of the tutu! Think of delicate cotton layers, carefully designed to float and spin with the dancer’s movements. It’s the vision of ballet, literally brought to life!
1966: A Tutu Twirl Through Time
1966 was a fabulous year in ballet! The world was getting into its groove, exploring new styles of movement. This year, The Royal Ballet, my very own national treasure from Britain, danced in Paris. Sir Frederick Ashton's "La Fille Mal Gardée" is said to have been one of their highlights – what a gorgeous blend of traditional ballet with a touch of wit! Just think, I might have been in the audience that night, cheering them on! 💖 And don’t even get me started on the gorgeous costumes they were wearing - the dancers literally looked like dream fairies dancing on stage!
This year also saw the groundbreaking choreography of Roland Petit, especially with his ballet “Le Rendez-vous”, a timeless work of beautiful balletic art and story. It wasn’t all about traditional ballerinas in their flowing tutus. These designs were inspired by what was on the streets: Parisian trends, fashion designs… You can see how the art of the time directly influences ballet and fashion – and it’s oh-so beautiful!
Shopping Spree in 1966 Paris
Let’s get shopping, my lovelies! We have to take advantage of being in Paris, a shopping paradise. Imagine me in a perfectly pink, voluminous tutu, strolling the boulevards, admiring the gorgeous department store windows. If I could, I’d head to the famed Galeries Lafayette - imagine the tutus they’d have! And how could we possibly leave Paris without a detour to "Les Halles"? Just thinking about the vibrant atmosphere, the vendors selling beautiful fabrics, the smells of fresh flowers… pure bliss! Just imagine finding a piece of tulle, a snippet of satin, a splash of colour for a truly unique Parisian tutu – how dreamy!
Our Ballet Wardrobe: What We Wear!
My fellow ballet enthusiasts, I’ve discovered that when choosing your tutu, colour is EVERYTHING. It’s like your very own rainbow, capturing your energy, your attitude, your sparkle. This week, let's focus on the colour pink. Pink! That delicate, vibrant, joyful shade – it screams romance and excitement! A true ballerina knows the power of a perfectly pink tutu!
Don’t get me wrong – pink’s not just about ballerinas, my lovelies. Pink tutus are perfect for everyone! Think about all those events! A wedding, a birthday, even just a whimsical walk in the park! It’s not just about tradition, but about unleashing that inner magic, feeling empowered and graceful, wherever you are.
Remember, my dearest readers: the true magic of ballet lies in its limitless expression.
Until next time, keep those tutus twirling! 💖
Emma
This post is dedicated to all the ballet lovers and those who are just discovering the magic of the ballet tutu! If you have any stories of your own, don’t hesitate to share them on #TutuTuesday! And let’s spread the love for pink, one tutu at a time!
