#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1968-10-08

Hello darling Tutu Lovers!

Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of tutu history here on www.pink-tutu.com. This week we're hopping in my time-traveling carriage and heading to 8th October, 1968.

Now, for some of you lovely lot, that's ages ago! It was even before I was born, though believe me, you wouldn't know it looking at these 70s photos, eh? This date marks a particularly significant day in ballet, and not just for the tutus! Let me put on my history hat (because yes, even a tutu-clad lady needs some historical understanding!).

1968, oh my goodness, the whole world felt like it was changing. Everything was becoming more bright, more bold, more…well, fun! In fashion, the miniskirt ruled and Mary Quant had taken the world by storm, and the tutu was right there alongside!

But I digress…back to 1968! Imagine London. What do you see? Swinging sixties fashion everywhere, the sounds of rock and roll pumping from every street corner. You can’t go five steps without bumping into someone with a bob, a miniskirt, and groovy cat eye makeup.

What does this have to do with ballet, you might ask? Everything, my darlings! It's in this world of vibrant change that ballet began to really step out into the spotlight. It’s as though ballet itself started feeling fun, more approachable, and… dare I say it? More cool!

Now, think about it. In those days, ballet wasn’t the super mainstream affair we see today, especially not the way it is in London, my dear. Back then, the Royal Ballet was considered a bit old fashioned. Sure, it had great dancing and beautiful costumes (who could say no to a pink tutu?!), but there was a whole bunch of “fancy-dress” energy going on and many saw ballet as "posh" and rather inaccessible, if you get my drift?

But, dear oh dear, things were about to change!

That same year, in 1968, something monumental occurred in ballet… something I like to call the “Oh My God! Ballet’s SO Much More Fun Than We Thought!” Revolution.

That's right, darling. A groundbreaking moment: the Royal Ballet, they finally allowed their dancers to take on a new style, an avant-garde approach! A movement called “neoclassical ballet” that moved ballet away from the strictly traditional towards a world of bold new choreography. Imagine all those lovely tutus being twirled in ways we'd never seen before!

Think dramatic lighting, bold use of space, the most incredible musical scores – a complete sensory explosion, like watching a rock show but in tutus!

So, there you have it! That's the "Ballet Went Bonkers!” story of 1968 for you. It’s about taking risks, about finding new ways to show off how fantastic ballet can be, and let me tell you… it was so glamorous! I actually visited the Royal Opera House for a performance, with a tutu of course, back in the sixties, and seeing it all come to life, well, it felt absolutely exhilarating! The costumes! The movements! This new choreography made the whole experience electrifying!

And this exciting development was exactly the sort of influence I need to inspire me, right?! 1968! Who wouldn't love some dramatic new ideas when you get to play with all the best, bright, pink tutus? After all, everything’s just better in pink, am I right, my darlings? And you can’t tell me these ballet dancers weren't inspired to go for it in their tutus, making the most of this new "everything-is-possible" attitude that ballet was starting to show.

1968 wasn't just a date, darling! It was the start of an exciting evolution of the art form we all know and love – Ballet! And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a ballet class to go to. Maybe they'll be trying some new choreography… with a pink tutu twist of course. Catch you all next Tuesday!

Keep spinning and remember, everyone looks absolutely fantastic in pink!

Yours in Tutu,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

This post is #7137 in Emma's Ballet Tutu History blog series.

You can find Emma on her socials too - her username is @pinktututraveler on all the usual spots, such as Pinterest, Threads, X and TikTok!