#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1968-05-07

Hiya darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, back with another #TutuTuesday instalment of Ballet Tutu History!

It's Tuesday the 7th of May 1968 today, and I've just hopped off the Orient Express after a delightful trip through France. The Parisian shops are bursting with the latest fashions, but let me tell you, nothing quite compares to the timeless elegance of a ballet tutu. ✨

Speaking of elegance, can you believe it's been almost a century since the first real "tutu" hit the stage? I mean, we all know there were earlier versions, the kind of flowing skirts the dancers wore back in the early 1800s, but they weren't quite the full-blown, iconic, billowing spectacle that we know and love today.

1968, well, we're in the midst of what's called "The New Ballet", full of new choreography, new music, and you know what else? More experimentation with the costumes! The tutus are still pretty classic – the Romantic tutu, the tutu "en pointe" as they call it in Paris – with layers of tulle billowing and floating around, but there's this new boldness in design, even some experimenting with modern fabrics, like stretchy Lycra, and daring use of colour, like splashes of deep red and turquoise that are giving traditional ballet costumes a serious edge.

Remember my last #TutuTuesday, where I mentioned how Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes helped take the tutu to the world, introducing it to Paris and beyond? Well, now we’re entering the era of groundbreaking choreographers, men like Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, and Maurice Béjart who, in their ballets, continue pushing the boundaries, the expectations, and, you guessed it, the tutus! Some even went without them! 😲 But you know me, I still love the classics. 😉

What else is happening on this magical date, you ask? Well, guess what! It's a big day for one of my favourite ballerinas, Natalia Makarova, a legendary Russian ballerina who debuted with the Kirov Ballet back in 1959. She was only 16 when she made her first entrance into the world of dance!

Today, in 1968, she joins the American Ballet Theatre. You might be saying, "Oh, so, just a little ballet company across the Atlantic, no big deal?" Well, darling, it's HUGE! It’s not only about where she's performing, it's about breaking boundaries and crossing borders! It’s about breaking free from those rigid structures of traditional ballet and being a truly global ballerina, like a modern-day Juliet on a journey of discovery!

She was my absolute idol during her time on the Kirov, a company famous for its amazing, technical skill. Her passion for the dance, the way she could move with such grace and strength, was an inspiration to me even as a wee little girl back in Derbyshire! I'd sneak into the attic and spin around in my grandma's old curtains pretending I was on a grand stage myself! 💃

Now, talking about stages, today marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in London, another epic landmark for the arts! Think of all the famous ballerinas that graced that stage! From the Bolshoi's ballerinas during the Cold War, when you'd have crowds going crazy just to get a glimpse of these magical dancers, to Margot Fonteyn's iconic performances, there have been so many grand ballet moments at the Albert Hall, that the mere mention of it sends shivers down my spine! I can only dream of one day gracing its stage!

As always, my darlings, remember the key to remembering these historical moments is to enjoy them! Immerse yourself in the beautiful movements of the ballet, the intricate designs of the costumes, and the raw power and emotion that comes with every performance.

You never know when, while enjoying your Tuesday night at the theatre, you might stumble upon your own new inspiration. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a vintage Parisian boutique with a fantastic selection of silk ribbons to finish off my new pink tutu. Because, darling, even if we're living in the age of innovation and pushing boundaries, there’s always room for some classic elegance! 😉

Don’t forget to check in next Tuesday for another edition of Ballet Tutu History. Until then, let your imagination take flight! 💕🩰

Yours in twirls,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com