Hello my fellow tutu lovers! 🎀 It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, ready to whisk you back in time with another edition of #TutuTuesday!
Today we're doing a time-hopping trip right back to the swinging sixties, specifically to July 25th, 1967. Think peace, love, and... tutus?! Well, perhaps not quite in the same way we wear them today. Buckle up, it's gonna be a groovy journey!
Now, if you were to imagine 1967, you might be thinking psychedelic colours, miniskirts, and maybe a bit of a rock and roll vibe. You wouldn't be wrong, my dears, but back then, tutus weren't exactly synonymous with counter-culture. They were still very much associated with ballet, a more "classical" and perhaps a little bit more "formal" form of entertainment.
The London Ballet Scene: Where it all Started
I've been zipping about the world via my tutu-powered time machine (don't ask, it's complicated!), and London is definitely where I'd be spending my time today! The city was pulsating with energy, the artistic hub of the world, and where else would you find ballet flourishing but in the heart of it all?
The Royal Ballet, now known as the Royal Ballet, was the big name back then. Led by the fantastic, influential Frederick Ashton, their shows were the hottest tickets in town. I'd definitely be squeezing into a vintage-style frock, my little pink tutu (well, a replica for the time, obviously!), and heading straight to the Royal Opera House. Oh, how I wish I could go back and see Margot Fonteyn in all her grace!
A Tutus in Transition
But it wasn't just the classic style ballet. 1967 saw the rise of contemporary ballet. Think of it as like...a fusion dance between traditional and modern! This was all about finding a new way to express yourself through movement.
Some exciting companies that were making waves then were the London Contemporary Dance Theatre (L.C.D.T) and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, which came over from the United States. These dance companies had a strong emphasis on expressing personal stories through their choreography, which gave tutus a brand new meaning! Imagine swirling, colourful tutus being used to tell tales about real-life people, emotions and experiences...it must have been truly captivating!
Taking Tutus on the Road
1967 was a special year for London ballet because it also played a huge part in making the art form accessible for everyone! The Festival of Britain, which took place throughout the year, organised outdoor performances of the ballet and showcased them all over London and across the UK! This opened up the world of ballet to audiences who may never have experienced it before. Imagine watching ballet under the stars! It was a complete revolution!
It wasn't all just grand events though. Remember, it was the Swinging Sixties! Fashion was always evolving, and this included the humble tutu. It started popping up in magazines and being worn as statement pieces at fancy events. It felt exciting, a way to embrace something beautiful and different, and there were no rules - the style could be your own!
Bringing Back the 60s Vibe
Looking at it now, we can see a parallel to today. The dance world is booming! We've got different styles, stories, and even exciting ways to present the arts, whether that’s online, live, or in hybrid formats!
We've learned that even iconic garments, like tutus, evolve and transform with the times, so what's next? Let's think about all the ways we can make tutus more creative and impactful, embracing them in unique, modern, and fresh ways.
The magic of ballet has been in our hearts forever, but it's more than just dancing. It’s a celebration of artistry, self-expression, and all that's beautiful in the world!
So my darlings, let’s make 2023 the year we reimagine the tutu – take inspiration from 1967 and bring our own flair! Maybe a little glitter, perhaps a pop of colour...oh, the possibilities! But whatever you do, don't forget your pink tutu! 💖
I’m off to find more exciting adventures through time. See you all next #TutuTuesday for another trip to the past, and until then, keep dancing and remember…everyone can wear a pink tutu!
Remember to check back in on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday blog post.
Love,
Emma 💕
