Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another exciting episode of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of all things tulle and twirls! I'm your ever-so-pink, time-traveling ballerina blogger, Emma, and this week we're waltzing our way back to the fabulously fashionable year of 1967!
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, my love for ballet started at a young age. From twirling around in my homemade tutu to watching ballets at the local theatre, it was all about grace, elegance, and a whole lot of sparkle. So, naturally, travelling through time and experiencing ballet history is an absolute dream! This week, I’m taking you on a journey to discover the magic of tutus in the swinging 60s!
1967 - The Year of the Tutu
Imagine, if you will, a world where everyone's talking about the Beatles, the mini-skirt is the height of fashion, and the hippies are out in force! It's a world of vibrant colours, bold patterns, and a new sense of freedom and individuality - much like the tutus themselves!
Now, in the 1960s, the ballet world was experiencing a major shift in style. Tutus were no longer just the domain of the classical ballet, but were venturing out into new territory, thanks to the bold and exciting choreography of the time. This was the era of new ballets with inventive, colourful and playful choreography. And, oh boy, was it exciting!
Imagine seeing a ballerina with a tutu made of bright red and yellow silk! The colours were eye-catching, fun, and they helped express the energy of the dance. It was no longer just about a delicate white tutu, and you can bet there was a LOT of ruffling going on! The dancers weren't just graceful and beautiful, but they were full of spirit and a love for breaking tradition. This era was the beginning of seeing the tutu as more than a traditional ballet garment.
From The Stage To The Street
As you know, here at pink-tutu.com we're passionate about the transformative power of the tutu, not just on the stage, but also on the streets. Well, in the 1960s, the tutu was experiencing its own version of a "fashion moment".
Fashion designers took inspiration from the stage. It's amazing to see the impact ballet had on other designers during this decade, with more designers looking to the ballet for inspiration in their dresses and outfits! Just as we love a good pink tutu with a stylish jumper today, a mini-skirt with a colourful tutu overlay was the must-have look for the fashion-conscious girls of the 1960s! Imagine the scene! These bright colours made the dancers shine. The movement on the stage inspired everyone, from dancers to everyone in the street! A huge trend to take inspiration from the theatre was a real trend. A nod to our favourite dancing queens, I suppose.
Ballet’s Influence on Fashion - A Timeless Trend
Now, we all know how much we adore our pink tutu, it’s always a must have. The timeless look of ballet inspired many iconic fashion trends. Even the designs from today can have some roots in what we've seen back in the 1960s - that's just how influential ballet can be! It truly was the ultimate symbol of that era's joie de vivre. You can’t deny it. It’s about how a tutu can embody elegance, sophistication, but it’s also all about movement, freedom, and of course - expressing yourself through the power of the prance and the twirl! It’s fabulous!
I was thrilled to visit The Victoria and Albert Museum in London on 28th November 1967, to see the special exhibition on Ballet! This was an amazing trip, seeing so many famous dancers from this era!
It wasn't just about fashion! The world of dance was flourishing. On 28th November, 1967, the London Ballet celebrated the opening of its 33rd season! It was a night of exquisite ballets, talented dancers, and of course - some stunning tutus, too.
I also managed to grab some lunch at a new cafe nearby - it served this fabulous new food, 'spaghetti', I just HAD to try it! (A real delicacy in 1967). You can’t get anywhere these days without spaghetti. The good times are always rolling with a bit of spaghetti. But back in 1967 this was a must-have dish in my itinerary, I do love my pasta !
28th November, 1967 - A Memorable Day!
Seeing how tutus were inspiring fashion and ballet trends, the joy of going to a performance and catching a train to London - it made 28th November a special day for me!
Now, my little tutus, it's time for you to grab a pink tutu and spin a tale of your own!
Tell me: What are your favourite tutu trends? How do you incorporate a little ballerina flair into your life? Let me know in the comments below. And, remember to spread the tutu love, just like the wonderful ballerinas of 1967 - spread those pink tullu wings and twirl with joy.
Don't forget to follow me on social media to keep up with my latest tutu travels!
With love,
Emma (and my pink tutu, of course!) 🩰💖
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