Hello my fellow tutu lovers! 🩰💖
Welcome to another edition of #TutuTuesday, where we explore the wondrous world of tutus from their earliest beginnings right up to today. Today’s journey takes us all the way back to 17 January 1967 - a time when fashion was bold, music was groovy and, you guessed it, the tutu was evolving into something quite special.
For this week’s trip, I took a magical train ride, one that felt like stepping into a glamorous old movie (I always wear a beautiful pink tutu and a perfect matching fascinator for these trips!). The journey took me to the heart of ballet in…drumroll… Paris!
Can you imagine? The City of Lights! And guess what, on 17th January 1967, Paris was bursting with cultural excitement - a whole host of fabulous things were happening all around, including…
A Grand Ballet Opening!
I made my way to the grand Opéra Garnier, its facade adorned with stunning statues and a majestic sweep of marble stairs. That night, it played host to a spectacular opening performance of a brand new ballet - "Le Sacre du Printemps".
Oh my, this ballet caused quite a stir when it was first performed in 1913, as it featured unusual, modern movements and music that challenged the conventions of ballet! But 1967 saw it come to life again, this time under the masterful direction of Maurice Béjart, a dancer and choreographer renowned for his bold interpretations. I just love the way Béjart reimagines classical dance - he has a knack for pushing boundaries and adding a contemporary twist, which always gets me feeling truly inspired!
This opening night saw a kaleidoscope of colours on stage, vibrant hues that contrasted beautifully with the intricate details of the theatre. And while some dancers wore traditional costumes, I spotted several of Béjart's creations too, which included stunning, free-flowing, and oh-so-stylish tutus! You’d have to see it to believe it!
The modern style of these tutus took traditional ideas and injected a fresh, energetic and bold new look. Forget about rigid shapes and overly structured layers - the tutus were lightweight, featuring a simple form with an array of exciting new textures, materials and colour schemes, making the costumes look dynamic and exciting!
It really felt like these ballerinas were able to dance with so much more freedom, expressiveness and power. These costumes felt truly revolutionary - a celebration of beauty, freedom and creativity, much like the swinging 60s itself!
The Tutu Evolution
I remember sitting on that velvet plush seat in the Opéra Garnier, the curtain going up and being absolutely captivated. What a fascinating time in ballet history! From the elegant and refined elegance of the Victorian era with its beautifully layered tutus, ballet was becoming a bolder and more dramatic art form.
These revolutionary tutus reflected not only a change in dance styles but also mirrored a shift in fashion - the world outside was changing too, and this new style resonated with what people were embracing, from the playful prints of the time to the vibrant hues of the mini skirts and the effortless styles of the Beatles!
The 60s was a whirlwind of exciting new things, and seeing ballet embrace these modern vibes, it was simply magical. The whole scene made me excited to see what other inspiring trends would emerge. And the best part about being a ballerina, a lover of the art of dance, is being able to watch and see these exciting transformations and to always explore those bold, exciting new tutu ideas!
A World of Fashion & Fun!
Being here in Paris on 17th January, I was reminded that this city truly is the world capital of fashion. As I strolled around the chic Parisian streets I could see just how much the fashions of this decade were already being influenced by the dynamism of ballet and these bold, colourful tutus.
After a delightful pastry at a local cafe, I hit the shops! Imagine walking down the Champs-Élysées, soaking up the city atmosphere. You could find boutiques featuring gorgeous clothing and accessories inspired by the fashions of the moment. There was such a joyous, liberated air and a sense that anything was possible!
And in all that fabulousness, tutus found their place too. Not just on the stage but also on the streets! Yes, my darlings! You could see stylish young women all over Paris wearing whimsical skirts inspired by the tutu shapes, these lovely pieces brought a sense of graceful fun to the 60s fashion landscape!
These beautiful skirt designs added a sense of movement, drama, and charm to everyday outfits. I even spotted some bold individuals daringly wearing tutus for evening gatherings and theatrical outings - such fashion pioneers!
So, while ballet may have had a dramatic effect on these fashions, I’m happy to say this era was all about creative freedom. Anyone could embrace and make the fashion scene their own. Just like me, it seems, in my signature pink tutu, ready to capture the latest trend or even create my own!
Let’s Keep Dancing!
What’s a Tutu Tuesday without some fabulous advice from me, your fashion-loving tutu queen! As we're in Paris, a place where the ballet spirit dances around us, I say… Let's dance like it's 1967! This means embracing that free-spirited joy! Wear a colourful skirt, some fabulous prints, some striking bright colours - maybe even a little pink, if I may suggest!
It’s time to embrace the playful side of fashion, and yes, a little pink tutu won’t hurt either! You’re free to dance, to experiment with colours and patterns. Make your own fashion statements and be bold in how you move and dance through the world, my darlings!
I am so excited to explore the tutu journey from here in this decade. We’ll continue to delve deeper into tutu history, and, of course, we’ll have lots more to discuss in future Tutu Tuesday posts.
Until next week, happy twirling everyone!
Yours truly, Emma
Don’t forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for past editions of my Tutu Tuesday posts, the number of this post is 7047. Also, let’s chat about fashion! Please comment below, and share your favourite memories about tutu moments!
