#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1968-07-02

Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu, pink, and fabulous. This week on #TutuTuesday, we're taking a trip down memory lane - or rather, through time - to the 7th July 1968.

Remember, darling, you can always catch me live, twirling across the stage under the shimmering lights in the evenings. But when I'm not busy performing (or sneaking off to explore the latest couture creations), I’m a bit obsessed with sharing the incredible history of tutus with all of you! You could say my time travel exploits are fuelled by a good dose of passion for all things ballerina, and that's certainly true - especially the magical tutus. This is blog post number 7123 in my series dedicated to tutu history, a journey I've undertaken with much joy and many pink outfits!

This week, I decided to take my latest trip through time to New York City! A truly fantastic city and oh so vibrant, where everyone seems to move at a million miles per hour. But what a thrill it is to be here! This city was abuzz with a vibrant mix of fashion and counterculture. We're talking bright colors, playful patterns, and an absolute love affair with all things psychedelic.

Now, New York City 1968 wasn’t necessarily the epicentre of the ballet world as we know it. Yet, dance still played a vital role, blending with the pulse of the city to become a true spectacle.

The year 1968, dear readers, was filled with protests, activism, and the search for freedom. Imagine yourself in Central Park, a haven of greenery amidst the urban jungle. You might have seen folks taking part in the "Poor People's March on Washington", a social justice rally that drew attention to poverty and racial inequalities.

But fear not, all this wasn't a downer - the counterculture spirit made sure that everything was groovy and positive. A beautiful contrast, truly!

This was also the year that saw the rise of the “Flower Child”, and oh my, what an inspirational look! This was all about expressing individuality and freedom, celebrating individuality through style and expression. Think flowing floral patterns, headbands, bright colors - even some unconventional use of fabrics and materials!

I can imagine how delightful the dancing scene must have been during that period. The spirit of free expression was undeniably alive!

Although this was a decade where everything seemed to be changing rapidly - especially fashion - the classic allure of ballet was still going strong. Think grand ballets in elegant theatres, stunning gowns, and delicate ballet slippers. This is a stark contrast to the Flower Power style on the streets, but then, wasn't it all about freedom to express?

Perhaps the greatest gift of this era was a renewed interest in the elegance and discipline of dance. I've found that some of the most interesting pieces during this period were about exploration and pushing boundaries.

As an avid lover of all things fashion, the sheer variety in clothing and styles in New York was utterly dazzling! On one hand, we had the graceful silhouettes of classic dance attire. On the other hand, we were in the midst of a vibrant counterculture movement that embraced individuality through creative and colourful expressions.

For this visit, I chose to pair my pink tutu with a vintage 1968 patterned shirt. The colours and bold patterns were perfect for the vibe and added an element of bohemian flair. A little bit of '60s style never hurts, does it?

Let’s be real, my darling! When you're in New York City, you must take a little stroll down Fifth Avenue and Fifth Avenue has all sorts of great shopping options! For someone like me who lives and breathes ballet, nothing is better than discovering a local ballet store.

I just knew that a 1968 boutique in New York must be a ballet haven! So I went on a pink tutu mission and, what a delight it was! The boutiques were filled with vibrant, colorful fabrics that just screamed "60s” and "free expression" ! You just can’t beat a boutique shopping experience, the charm, the elegance and the thrill of the hunt! I love searching for hidden gems in small stores. There’s no way to top discovering a classic tutu tucked away in a beautiful boutique, its history echoing in the fabrics.

And darling, you know me, always searching for the most adorable pink outfits! I love seeing all the different colours - pinks, light pinks, baby pinks, bubble gum pink and even bright fuschia pink.

It’s never enough for me just to look! So, I always try and see as many dance performances as I can, whenever I’m travelling through time.

Oh, and the New York City Ballet was a real treat! It felt magical to be watching all the dancers pirouette, gracefully gliding through the air in their stunning white tutus, making each performance a memorable experience! The artistry was a delight to my eyes, reminding me of the grace and beauty of classical ballet. It was like the tutus were swirling and twirling with all the joy of a vibrant city. It reminded me of why I fell in love with ballet in the first place.

It felt so good to see the history of the tutu playing such a major part in this exciting era.

My dear friends, share with me - what do you love about the era we’re stepping back into today?

What do you think about those big fluffy ballet tutus, those elegant tulle wonders, how they represent the grace and artistry of dance and are a beautiful symbol of creative expression? Let me know in the comments below! I'm eager to hear all about your favourite #TutuTuesday moments. Don't forget to use the hashtag #TutuTuesday and tag me on your social media posts. I love seeing your amazing #TutuTuesday looks, darling.

You know how much I love shopping, fashion, dancing, tutus, ballet performances - and that my ultimate goal is to get the whole world wearing pink tutus - oh, the fun we could have then! I will be posting next week from somewhere else in time. I’m feeling so inspired right now - until next week then!

Until then, Stay sparkling, my dears, and twirl with joy!
Emma xx