Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, and it's #TutuTuesday! Today, we're time-travelling to November 8th, 1966. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a fabulous journey into ballet history!
This week, my trusty time-travelling device (it's a secret, obviously!) whisked me to the enchanting city of Paris. Now, Paris has always been a hotbed of ballet, but in 1966, it was truly in its glory!
Stepping out of the station (which I must say was a tad less glamorous than the Gare du Nord of today, though still charming), I found myself instantly captivated by the chic Parisians - the ladies with their pillbox hats and swinging skirts, the men in their perfectly tailored suits, and everyone with that undeniable "je ne sais quoi". The air was filled with the scent of fresh pastries, and the sound of laughter and chatter. I simply had to get myself a coffee and a croissant before I ventured to the Palais Garnier!
This iconic building, built for the Paris Opera, was the place to be. It housed not only the beautiful Ballet of the Paris Opera but also, to my immense joy, the headquarters for The Paris Opera Ballet School. Now, anyone who loves ballet will know what I'm thinking... Tutus!
My little pink tutu, which I never travel without, suddenly felt terribly inadequate, as if I was stepping into a world of unparalleled tutu-ing! This was where the modern tutu, that magical confection of layers of tulle, was truly perfected!
The 1960s were a whirlwind of change in the world of ballet. It was the era of Rudolph Nureyev, a dazzlingly handsome and powerful dancer who literally set the stage on fire. The '60s was when we truly began to embrace the modern, the bold and the daring in dance.
Just think of all the ballet icons we had around then! Rudolf, Margot Fonteyn, and the ever-so-elegant Sylvie Guillem (who still dances today!), all swirling and leaping on stage in magnificent tutus. Oh, it made my heart leap too, like I was ready to join them in a pirouette!
But let's delve back a little bit. Remember 1910?, That's the year of the "Diaghilev Revolution". Diaghilev, this incredibly innovative man, shook up the world of ballet with his daring and imaginative productions! Remember the scandalous costumes? The modern ballets with their breathtaking designs and daring leaps? Oh, how exciting it must have been to be there, feeling the pulse of change!
You see, before Diaghilev, ballet was much more rigid. The tutus, while beautiful, were essentially long and cumbersome affairs. Think Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. Think a fluffy ball gown with an impressive train. Think Romantic Era!
The ballet tutus back then, they were for twirling yes, but for elegance and regality.
The Diaghilev era brought forth a revolutionary new style: the "Russian tutu", now iconic to any true ballet fan. Imagine a shorter, more revealing tutu with many layers of tulle that allowed for greater fluidity and a sense of lightness. Think The Fairy Candide in The Sleeping Beauty, this iconic tutu style with its incredible layers and structure, truly showcasing the dancer’s every move, it was a must-have!
Diaghilev introduced a wave of innovation with daring costumes and modern ballets, the "Russian Tutu" paved the way for our modern-day tutu styles, and it was completely transformative! The 1920s saw George Balanchine's groundbreaking neoclassical works. These ballets, and the tutus, reflected his modernist vision - think simple, elegant lines, showcasing the dancer's body and incredible athleticism! This truly marked the birth of modern-day tutu style and structure!
I'd spend hours lost in the museums and archives in Paris, marvelling at the photos, sketches and, my favourite, actual tutus from that era! There was a special exhibition dedicated to Diaghilev and his influence on ballet fashion. Just picture it, my dear readers - room upon room of stunning tutus from Petrouchka and The Rite of Spring, some shimmering in iridescent sequins and feathers!
Speaking of fashion, did I mention that I'd stumbled upon a delightful vintage shop tucked away on a little cobblestone street? Imagine my excitement when I found the most amazing, perfectly preserved 1960s-era dress! It was a beautiful pale pink number, flowing with soft layers like the tulle of a tutu! And I snatched it up instantly, obviously.
But my Parisian journey was all about the ballet, so after indulging in delicious pastries, I hurried back to the Opera House for an evening performance! The show I saw was truly breath-taking, a rendition of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. I was mesmerized by the graceful swans, each of them perfectly captured the beauty and emotion of the dance with their magnificent tutus flowing around them. And to be in such an historical place, in an era where tutus were just beginning their journey towards even more incredible evolution, it was truly magical.
This #TutuTuesday I hope has shown you just how fascinating ballet tutu history can be! From its origins to its modern transformation, it’s truly a testament to creativity, artistry, and of course, the undeniable power of the tutu to enchant and inspire.
I’m signing off now but I’ll be back next Tuesday, for another installment of #TutuTuesday, so stay tuned!
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com to see more amazing tutu inspiration, and share your favourite tutu photos using the hashtag #PinkTutu!
Love, Emma Post #7037
