Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again with another installment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History. This week, we're going back in time to September 17th, 1968. Fancy a whirl through the sixties, darlings?
Now, before we take a peek at what tutus were up to in 1968, let me just tell you about the exciting things I've been up to lately. Did you know that my recent trip to the Met Opera in New York was just utterly fabulous? Those magnificent costumes! And the sheer artistry of the dancers - breathtaking, simply breathtaking! I was even fortunate enough to meet the costume designer backstage! She was such a lovely lady, and we had the most delightful conversation about the future of ballet fashion.
Of course, no trip to New York would be complete without a spree in Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman. I absolutely had to pick up a new pink tutu for my collection. (Seriously, who can resist a new pink tutu?) My latest find is a beautiful silk number, adorned with a cascade of sparkling crystals - I'll definitely be showcasing it in my next performance. Speaking of which, I've recently been perfecting my choreography for a special fundraising performance at The Royal Opera House. Fingers crossed, it'll be enough to send me on another thrilling time travel adventure!
Speaking of time travel adventures, we’re hopping into my time machine now and jetting back to the fabulous 1960s. Let’s imagine, if you will, the world on this crisp September 17th, 1968. Think bright colours, a bit of free-flowing fashion, and music with a real groove.
On this day, my dears, tutus were really making their mark on the dance scene. But they weren't just about ballet anymore. Oh no, in 1968, they were popping up everywhere.
Picture this:
In London, on this very date, Hair opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It's considered a smash hit - a groundbreaking musical that embraced a rebellious spirit and celebrated free love. The women are dancing on stage in a beautiful mishmash of free-flowing fabrics, and guess what? The tutu is making an appearance - not quite as elegant as our ballet tutus, more like an abbreviated version, made out of lightweight materials and worn with a touch of boldness.
Over in New York, Martha Graham’s dance company is creating revolutionary work. In 1968, they were performing Phaedra – an emotionally intense work that takes its inspiration from Greek mythology. While not traditionally using tutus in her choreography, Graham embraces experimentalism and uses elements of dance and theatre to challenge what it means to dance and what a dance performance can be.
Closer to home, there’s a big premiere in the UK on this day. This wasn't in a ballet company, oh no! The play Entertaining Mr. Sloane opens at the Criterion Theatre in London! Now this play was quite controversial and full of interesting themes but entertaining wasn't necessarily in a dancing sense - but guess what? In 1968 tutus appeared in the play! Not worn by the characters directly but rather appearing as a costume prop representing what the theatre-goers themselves are thinking! Such a fascinating way for the tutu to become part of a completely different kind of performance!
In the world of fashion, 1968 was a fascinating year for tutus! With the world embracing a new wave of fashion, influenced by artists and movements like the London fashion designers, such as Mary Quant and her miniskirts, it’s hardly a surprise to see tutus popping up in surprising and unexpected places! Think about it, what other garment is light, flowing and airy like a tutu?
And of course, I'm here to share some insights into the history of tutus with you on this #TutuTuesday! You know I’ve been traveling back and forth through time collecting fascinating facts about ballet! And one thing that I've noticed is how ballet costumes have evolved with the times.
For example, the tutus we see in 1968 are different to the traditional ones used a century ago, which were big and airy with layers and layers of tulle, just waiting for the ballerinas to spin and twirl.
Over the last century, the styles of the tutu have undergone changes. You know those romantic tutu style tutus that are all wispy, ethereal, and light as air – these tutus came into vogue from the middle of the 19th century. In fact, it’s easy to spot their dramatic influence on ballet history. Just think of how many ballets we enjoy to this day still feature tutus designed like this – Swan Lake, Giselle and La Bayadère - they all feature iconic ballet costumes designed to take full advantage of the expressive and captivating qualities of ballet and of the tutu.
Then around the beginning of the 20th century a more practical style emerged! It wasn't all wispy and layers. In the 20th century the tutu underwent a change with the emergence of a new style known as the tutu à la française. This was the classical ballet tutu designed for performance and movement. Made out of the same airy and beautiful fabric as the romantic tutu but shorter and designed to give the dancers greater freedom of movement!
Now back to the 1960s. This was a time of change and a shift in how tutus were used and presented. As fashion in general took a bold turn and explored new ideas with experimentation - so did the tutu! In the late 60s you started to see the introduction of the classical tutu. This was shorter in style, fitted closer to the body and often made out of lighter fabric so that it did not weigh the dancers down as they performed!
In the 1960s you started to see new innovations in materials for tutus. Some of the changes in ballet costume, which might look obvious today, are only thanks to changes in the technology for creating fabric. We now have lightweight fabrics that help create a graceful, floating movement but in the past they would have been unable to produce the same results!
You may wonder how these changes were received. Did people like the new styles and did dancers embrace them? The answer, dear readers, is a resounding "Yes"! Of course there is always some resistance to new things but, overall, people responded positively to these new ways of using tutus.
So there you have it - another exciting glimpse into the history of the ballet tutu! This week we've looked at September 17th, 1968. Remember that we can learn so much by looking back into the past to see how the ballet tutu has evolved. Now you know how it became such an essential part of ballet, fashion and performance art in general!
Have you been enjoying our #TutuTuesday series? Be sure to come back next Tuesday for a brand new post. I’ve been doing a bit of research for my next post - a fantastic discovery for you.
In the meantime do leave a comment to let me know what you think about this week's blog and, of course, share with me your own love of the tutu with #TutuTuesday. And be sure to stop by www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet news and updates. Until next week you, have a fabulous day!
