Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things twirly and delightful. It’s a glorious #TutuTuesday, and I’m back to whisk you away on a whirlwind journey through time with my beloved ballet tutu history! This week we’re travelling back to October 11th, 1966. Grab your tiaras and your dancing shoes – this week's adventure promises a true fashion extravaganza!
7033 – the number to remember! Remember that for all my fabulous followers who are busy tutuing on a Tuesday. Now, onto our glamorous past!
Oh, to be a ballerinas in 1966! I can almost feel the rush of excitement as I step onto the train from Derbyshire to London, feeling the wind ruffle my tulle and scent of jasmine from a nearby flower stall, transporting me back to 1966. My pink tutu and stylish ballet pumps – I’m practically radiating 60s chic. London is buzzing with energy, the pulse of the era palpable.
Speaking of palpable, there's something that everyone is raving about this very day – The Bolshoi Ballet has arrived in London! This legendary Russian troupe is dazzling London with their captivating performance of Swan Lake. Now that is what I call a cultural experience. The press is abuzz, the city is alive, the ballet world is on fire!
To imagine myself amidst such breathtaking artistry is absolutely exhilarating. And you know what else I just discovered about the ballet in London at that very moment?
London is booming with talent, with some fabulous shows for ballet lovers like me. "Giselle", and "Swan Lake" are just a few. There's also "Romeo and Juliet" – another absolutely exquisite ballet I must experience. My time travelling adventure has definitely gotten off to a fabulous start!
But wait, let’s talk about something I just love - fashion! You're just bursting with it, 1966! We're talking bold patterns, miniskirts that just won't quit, knee-high boots, a splash of psychedelia - it's absolutely dazzling. A world away from the classic tutued ballerina styles of my beloved 1800s, but it's absolutely beautiful in its own way, full of personality and flair!
Think of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the groovy vibes! This period is also a golden era for music, which translates to fashion – you can't talk about the era without bringing in the music, because it’s a world of expression and individuality. Just like ballet, music and fashion come together as a harmonious and artistic journey of creative expression, with tutus making a fabulous and essential element!
While I’m soaking it all in, there's a must-see shop I must add to my itinerary: Liberty of London, an icon of fashion! This renowned department store was the hotspot back then - a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and style. The designs are dreamy and dainty, full of grace – very similar to the romance and beauty of the tutu, right? It’s definitely an excellent stop for finding the perfect ballet ensemble for a gala performance!
And while we’re talking about iconic destinations from the era, let's not forget about The Barbican Center, which opened its doors just a few years earlier! Imagine taking a ballet class in this modern architectural marvel! You can literally see it on my Instagram page; I just snapped a picture and shared it, bringing 1966's vibes into 2023, right?
What are the people dancing to? 1966 gave us musical legends like The Walker Brothers with their hits like The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore. It’s a melancholic beauty that would make an ideal track for a poignant ballerina monologue. On a lighter note, Donovan brought us his hits like Sunshine Superman, which could easily inspire the lightness and grace of ballet. Imagine dancing to that today with your ballet class – I'm swooning already!
Okay, before we all really fall in love with 1966's vibrant culture, there’s a big announcement! Did you hear the big news?
*London's going crazy for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". * This is a huge Broadway musical sensation from 1962 that just arrived in London's West End – a funny, and definitely fashionable, story of love, betrayal, and a bit of a mischievous spirit. Think ballet, music, fashion - it's all coming together in the greatest city in the world. And yes, I did snag a ticket! The costumes in this musical are just so glamorous! This musical, with its amazing stage productions, would also inspire me as a budding ballerina, with its intricate steps and powerful costumes. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a fantastic time in this incredible world, wouldn't it?
I mean, imagine stepping into London's West End at that very moment - the electric energy, the buzzing excitement, and then to enter a theater with the most fabulous tutus imaginable on stage! I wouldn't even have to bring my own – I’d be in absolute heaven. I might as well stay!
So let's talk more about ballet fashion from that period! You know my favourite colour, pink? And it's just everywhere in 1966! Not just pink, but all sorts of exciting and whimsical colours!
Imagine lavender, turquoise, fuchsia - all vibrant colours you can imagine and all with some whimsical frills. Ballet dancers are the pioneers of the tutu! Back then, the skirts of tutus were longer, flowing and dreamy. Just picture a princess waltzing! You see, back then it wasn’t about showing off too much leg - It was about grace, the art of movement and beauty, with an air of elegance!
It's an absolute dream! The way it moves! I imagine being in a room full of dancers twirling around in beautiful tulle with vibrant shades of colours in the afternoon light - a dreamlike scene straight from the ballet itself. And then, later on, imagine entering a London pub and the light dances off all these different colors and tutus, creating magic. My dear, if I wasn’t in a *time-travelling pink-tutu wearing ballerina blog, I’d totally be living out my ballet fantasy at that very moment in 1966. London is the ideal city to be in at that time!
Did I mention the shoes! Now, when it comes to shoes, 1966 knows how to make a statement! Pointed ballet shoes with ribbons, or even sparkly dancing pumps, it’s so classic! But this is where my love of vintage kicks in - there are just so many ways to make a simple ballet shoe look gorgeous and fashionable! It’s all in the small touches!
Speaking of small touches, a ballerina always needs a touch of something special – a hairpiece or a pretty headband. Think of pearls or gemstones adorning that wonderful mane of hair - they are always in style. The vintage charm of those sparkly adornments! I love adding my own charm, with pearls on a black ribbon to elevate the beauty of my ballet tutu.
1966 is a magical year for fashion – I want to go back and see the shops full of those vintage gems. I might even snag a few! And of course, we always come back to The Pink Tutu because what’s better than a bit of whimsy and magic? Ballet and tutus go hand in hand, so the colours I find, the clothes I see – they're always there to inspire, even from the past!
It’s truly captivating to experience the fashion of a past decade! Now it's time to say au revoir for now. But not before leaving you with something to ponder on! If you could go back to 1966 and attend one ballet, which one would it be, and what outfit would you choose?
Until next #TutuTuesday, twirl on!
Emma, The Pink Tutu Ballerina
P.S If you like what you've read, don’t forget to share with all of your friends. This #TutuTuesday blog post is dedicated to the magic of ballet. What better way to share that love with everyone? So share, comment, like, and keep on dancing – we all need more tutu love in the world, and you can be the first to spread the joy. It’s only 7033 posts later and it’s just getting started!
