Hello my lovely tutu-tastic friends! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, and welcome back to Pink Tutu. Today, we're going to step back in time, to February 28th, 1967, and take a peek at what the world of ballet looked like. Buckle up your tutus, because we're embarking on a historical adventure!
(This is post number 7053, by the way! You can always find my new blog posts every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com)
My time-travelling machine (powered by the sheer force of my love for ballet, naturally!), brought me to a charming little cafe in the heart of Paris, surrounded by the scent of freshly brewed coffee and croissants. Such elegance! You see, back in 1967, Paris was the beating heart of the ballet world, a haven for artistic innovation and breathtaking performances. The city practically hummed with excitement, especially with the Palais Garnier, the magnificent opera house, hosting a performance by the Paris Opera Ballet. Now, that's a name you all should know! The Paris Opera Ballet has a long and glorious history, reaching right back to the 1600s. It's a truly grand institution and, as you can imagine, seeing a performance there would have been utterly captivating!
And guess what? Back then, tutus were just starting to break away from their strict, classical silhouettes. There was this real desire for something new, something fresh in the world of ballet. Modern ballet was becoming all the rage, with new choreographers taking their inspiration from real life.
The tutus themselves, while still a beautiful spectacle, became less about traditional shapes and more about expressing a movement and an emotion. Imagine, my dears, the sensuous lines, the bold leaps, the incredible expressions that the new choreography demanded! I can practically feel the electricity of it all!
But it wasn't just Paris where ballet was captivating audiences. Over in London, Margot Fonteyn, the legendary British ballerina, was reaching the peak of her fame. This woman was absolutely mesmerizing! The newspapers would have been buzzing with excitement over her upcoming performances, and rightfully so. She was an absolute superstar, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her time. She danced with grace, beauty and passion - inspiring millions of little dancers to twirl their dreams.
Just the thought of being a young ballet enthusiast in the 1960s makes my tutu spin! There was a real sense of discovery, of pushing boundaries and reaching for new artistic heights. The ballet world was in a thrilling period of transformation, and even though we’re a few decades further down the road, we can still feel that energy radiating out!
Here's what we're focusing on today for #TutuTuesday: The influence of * *modern art and the rising popularity of * *modern ballet.
(For the fun facts, imagine Emma holding up a little pink card, in the style of a presenter. A little like what they do on game shows, except its not very competitive! There is no tension, but a "What's coming up on Pink Tutu", kind of tone)
Here are some facts about modern ballet and fashion in 1967, my loves:
The * *choreography * was inspired by the bold, abstract art movement.* Think Picasso, Mondrian – all those wild lines and colourful shapes! You can see their influence reflected in the fluidity of movement and the experimentation with new ways to use the body in dance.
Tutus, traditionally made of stiff tulle, started to become lighter and softer. You might see more use of Lycra in these tutus - very daring!
With the focus on expressing movement, ballerinas wore minimal, sleek attire, showcasing their elegant limbs in graceful ways.
These new choreographies required a completely different way of dancing! The graceful steps, the effortless fluidity of movement - it was all part of this modern ballet wave.
You can just imagine the thrill and the excitement, the feeling of pushing boundaries and exploring new forms of expression, as dancers embraced this innovative world of ballet.
I just have to tell you about some other highlights of this year, that were just too tempting for a ballerina blogger to ignore:
February 28th was actually Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana! Just imagine the parades, the music, the colorful costumes, and of course, the joy of celebrating life! The vibrant, colourful and wild celebration is just my kind of party. New Orleans is such a beautiful place! Imagine it – the rhythmic drumming, the beads of colourful carnival-style confetti... It's a pure sensory delight, and the whole town comes alive with this celebration. If I can get a time machine just to go there for the festivities, I'd be in seventh heaven!
However, that's not all for 1967! What was the world wearing in that year? I must say it was an interesting mix of styles! Mod fashions were taking over with mini-skirts, geometric prints, and colourful accessories. Just imagine - it's like the ballet tutus, the ballet movement, it's an absolute feast for the eyes! You could almost say they were inspiring each other! Now, we know there’s no such thing as "fashion police" to dictate the trends. And with everyone putting on such a display of personal style, the 1960s was absolutely overflowing with expression.
Speaking of expressing myself... I just have to tell you how much I love trains! They are, of course, the most fabulous way to travel in style! And guess what – my trip to Paris was via the Orient Express. Imagine the romance of traveling through the countryside, feeling the wind on your face and sipping on your afternoon tea, as you gaze at the beautiful views rolling by. Ah, * *vintage glamour!
I'm dreaming of dancing on the Orient Express with a pink tutu on! Now, wouldn't that be just a sensational image!
Now, here comes my final #TutuTuesday tip, which is really just an opportunity for me to gush about something else:
Have you ever had the opportunity to watch a ballet performance at the **Royal Opera House in London?
You guys! Let me tell you - it's a truly remarkable experience. The feeling of anticipation as you walk into that glorious building, the way the orchestra sounds just heavenly, and the sheer artistry of the dancers is breathtaking! It’s one of those experiences that you just can't describe, you really have to experience it for yourself. Just think of how stunning the beautiful red plush seats, the dramatic chandelier overhead, the elegant décor and those incredible, mesmerizing dancers all combined to take you into another world. There are not many other places in the world like it. It is, of course, where you should get your perfect ballerina photos! If you're lucky, maybe you can even catch a peek at one of the ballet rehearsals! I always love watching these backstage peeks to see all those brilliant dancers up close!
(Now, Emma takes out a little black notebook that looks like an antique journal)
But don’t think for a moment I am a complete romanticist when it comes to fashion and ballet! It’s not always all that glitzy, believe me! My notebook here reminds me that as much as we love to wear the dazzling tutus on stage, there are lots of other outfits that are worn backstage - a sort of "undress". **What's in my "Undress Notebook" I hear you ask? I'll share it in a coming #TutuTuesday blog. It might be the stuff of legends…
*That's all for this #TutuTuesday! * I really do hope you enjoyed our little trip through ballet history, remember to follow me on Pink-tutu.com for a weekly dose of ballerina fun!
And remember, my dears, we can always be a little bit bolder, and more imaginative when it comes to style! Until next time!
Emma.
Ps. My Pink Tutu website - www.pink-tutu.com is coming soon - check out the social media link to join in.
