Greetings, darling dancers! It’s Emma here, back again from another exhilarating jaunt through time. You’ll never guess where I’ve been this week… drumroll please… Paris, darling Paris!
Paris has always been the absolute epicentre of all things fabulous and chic, and trust me, the fashion here in the swinging ‘60s is divine! You simply can’t talk about style without acknowledging this amazing city’s influence. This is the era of mod, of geometric cuts, of playful colours and bold designs. It’s almost enough to make a girl wish she could ditch her pink tutu for a fabulously mod mini-dress!
Speaking of which… let’s get back to our beloved tutus! I’ve had a fabulous time delving into the history of ballet costume here, in the birthplace of some of the most celebrated ballerinas of all time! You see, tutus are more than just a garment, they’re a whole evolution, a story of creativity and dedication, much like the passion we share for ballet!
So, back to this beautiful city in 1967. The Palais Garnier is just buzzing with excitement as ballet lovers flock to see legendary dancers like Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn strut their stuff on stage. This is a time of unparalleled talent in the ballet world, and with this, we’re witnessing incredible transformations in dancewear, too.
The iconic "tutu" you know and love – that airy, airy silhouette we all adore – is truly gaining its foothold as the classic dance costume in the world of ballet! But, and here's where it gets truly fascinating, there are still pockets of traditional elegance remaining. Ballet dresses, even shorter, lighter-weight tutus with less layers are also being embraced. This makes for a delightful variety, allowing for a bit of artistic liberty, depending on the style of ballet being performed. It's such an exciting time to see ballet evolve.
And speaking of excitement, on this very date in 1967, one of the most iconic ballet movies of all time premiered in the US, "The Turning Point," featuring Anne Bancroft, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Shirley MacLaine! This film became a huge cultural sensation and put ballet firmly on the map for those not familiar with the magical world of dance. This was a time when a new generation started getting hooked on the art form! This movie even made its way to my hometown of Derbyshire in 1969 and, well, my mum absolutely loved it, so much so, that I had my first pair of ballet shoes by Christmas of that year. Now, you all know how obsessed with ballet shoes I am!
One thing you can’t overlook is how ballet has truly impacted popular culture. Back in 1967, there were a number of magazines and television programs dedicated to fashion and style, and the graceful figures of the ballerinas were seen as the ultimate epitome of beauty and elegance. Their influence extended beyond the world of ballet, creating an ideal for the stylish, modern women of the era! It was the very first time I heard that pink tutu was deemed the 'fashion accessory of the year', even though, as you know, for me, it was a 24/7 item!
My personal experience with tutus at this point in time... I'm only in my mid-teens and getting my dance shoes under my feet so to speak. I can’t really describe how I love the feel of a soft pink tutu floating around me, or how it makes me feel like I'm truly a dancer when I'm wearing it. It's definitely about feeling beautiful and powerful! In my dreams, I am gliding effortlessly across a stage, with spotlights beaming down and a captivated audience roaring its approval!
Don’t forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com next week for a whole new instalment in my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog series.
Until then, stay chic, dance on, and let's bring a little bit of Parisian magic to the world. Remember, if I can travel through time in a pink tutu, there is no stopping you in your journey to dance dreams, darling!
Keep sparkling, my darlings! Emma 💖
