Hiya darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger from the pinkest corner of Derbyshire, bringing you another sparkly instalment of #TutuTuesday, our weekly journey through the beautiful and dazzling history of ballet tutus!
This week, I’m taking you back in time, specifically to December 10th, 1968 – a date filled with swirling skirts, incredible artistry and a whole heap of glamour! This time, I took the train (always my preferred mode of travel) all the way to the very heart of the ballet world: London! Oh, the shops! The excitement! The beautiful theatres!
But before I tell you about the fashion delights of 1968, let’s delve into the world of ballet history a bit. You see, dear readers, tutus are much more than a garment. They are a symbol of elegance, femininity, and artistic expression!
The Birth of the Tutu
Now, our first tutu wasn’t quite as grand as what you see today. Imagine if you will: a short, full-skirted, frilly white frock - a vision of lightness and grace! It first appeared in the 1830s, during the Romanticism era of ballet. It replaced the earlier, long skirts and was designed for, hold your breath: freedom of movement! The Romantics, they were quite radical for their time, weren’t they?
Over the years, the tutu has taken on different shapes and sizes, with each evolving design reflecting the different ballet styles and aesthetic trends.
A Glimpse of 1968
And now, we're back in London in 1968, the heart of the Swinging Sixties. A time of fashion revolution, cultural exploration and – oh yes – ballet! Now, London had this incredible atmosphere about it, you couldn’t walk down the street without feeling the pulse of the times. The city was brimming with energy, music and a kind of electric buzz you just had to feel!
Fashion had taken a dramatic shift towards more modern designs and, of course, shorter hemlines – very much the look I love.
What were ballet tutus like during this era? Imagine, if you will, the traditional ballet white tutu, with the glorious long tulle layers flowing in a whirl of soft enchantment. But oh, they added a twist! You might find them adorned with pops of vibrant colour, even a bit of shimmer. Some tutus incorporated modern materials like synthetic fabrics and, oh darling, did it ever add that extra sparkle.
The ballerinas, they moved like poetry! It was almost as though they danced to a different rhythm, with this carefree confidence that was almost revolutionary in its own right. Their grace was captivating, their strength and power undeniable, all wrapped up in a gorgeous cloud of tulle!
An Evening of Theatre Delights
The day itself, December 10th, 1968, was full of dazzling ballet delights! I even saw a stunning show at the Royal Opera House. The whole experience felt incredibly luxurious - the grand architecture, the chandeliers that looked like they were made of stars, and the buzz of anticipation in the air as the curtain rose. I practically vibrated with excitement!
The show that night, was a real mix of classic and contemporary ballet. There were traditional works, like Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and also pieces by groundbreaking choreographers like Frederick Ashton - they pushed the boundaries, they did. This exciting blend of styles created an electrifying evening!
It wasn’t just about the shows either! In the early evening, I visited Covent Garden market and marvelled at the beautiful selection of fresh flowers – what an inspiring way to start the day! I felt myself drawn into a whirlwind of colours, scents and a little bit of magic. Of course, no trip to Covent Garden would be complete without some fashion therapy. I did manage to snag some exquisite silk ribbons in a symphony of pink hues, just perfect for tying into my next tutu creation!
Oh, and what would a #TutuTuesday blog be without a pink highlight?! A few doors away from Covent Garden market was the very first dedicated tutu store! They had the most divine collection of tutus: from delicate ballet pink to bold colours, everything you could possibly imagine, and a plethora of intricate designs! It was absolutely magical, all I could think was how utterly fabulous life would be if I could somehow acquire the entire store, and then travel through time to wear all the tutus!
So there you have it, darlings! A pink-tinted look back at December 10th, 1968! As always, I encourage you to embrace the enchantment of ballet. There's something special about it, a magical blend of beauty, grace and athleticism! Oh, and don’t forget to visit my website: www.pink-tutu.com! It’s your one-stop shop for all things tutu.
And as I always say, darling, a bit of pink never hurts!
Stay sparkly! Emma
