Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where all things tutu are celebrated. It’s Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday, and you know what that means - we’re diving deep into the glorious history of ballet tutus!
This week, my time machine whisked me to a very special date: 25th March 1969. Imagine, darlings, just a few months away from that momentous occasion when man walked on the moon, we were living in a world of swirling skirts, captivating dance moves and a whole lot of fabulous fashion!
Today’s story takes us right to the heart of the ballet world - New York City, the beating pulse of fashion and artistry. And darling, you can imagine what this fashion-obsessed ballerina was doing! Oh, let me tell you, there wasn't a vintage shop I didn't step into.
Now, the ballet world in 1969 was bubbling with change, and there were plenty of new trends swirling around the tutus themselves! Remember, the romantic, airy tutus of the 19th century were still reigning supreme. They were the picture of ethereal grace, swirling through the air with every plié and pirouette. But change was on the horizon, a little bit like those cheeky clouds on a beautiful sunny day.
There was a shift in the wind, darlings! Ballet companies all over the world were starting to embrace something a bit more… modern, shall we say? I mean, think about the 60s – they were all about pushing boundaries and smashing conventions! And this attitude was taking centre stage (pun intended) in the ballet world too.
It was the era of legendary ballerinas like Margot Fonteyn, whose graceful movements and elegant style were capturing the world. She danced for the Royal Ballet, so naturally I was absolutely smitten. The dancers, they were beginning to move with more freedom and fluidity. It felt like the tutu itself was taking flight, moving with a natural rhythm! It was a wonderful sight to see, darlings. And let me tell you, even in this era of experimentation, the classic tutu was still there - just slightly re-imagined. Those puffy tutus? Oh they were there but sometimes they'd be a little less dramatic, allowing the dancers more flexibility and showcasing a bit more of their powerful legs.
While we’re on the subject of powerful legs, what did the fashion-forward 60s bring to the world of the ballet tutu? Let me tell you, darling, it was like stepping out of a fashion magazine! We saw a whole lot more leg action with shorter skirts than what you would normally see, even going so far as the controversial mid thigh skirt, much to the delight of my time traveling, tutu wearing, fashionable, ballerina heart!
Oh, my darlings, but it wasn’t all about short skirts, not by a long shot! I even spotted a trend of the classic tutu silhouette being combined with revolutionary new fabrics - like jersey or velvet, can you imagine? Velvet and tutus - such a surprising but undeniably beautiful combination!
As if the ballet world wasn't already busy enough with this whirlwind of exciting trends, you know what happened on this very date, the 25th of March, in 1969? It was the premiere of the ballet, "The Kingdom of the Shades," at the New York City Ballet. You see, my darlings, I'm obsessed with the ballet and absolutely fascinated by the history of dance! The New York City Ballet was already a force to be reckoned with at the time. But I can assure you that, a visit to any dance studio back then - in the US, UK or anywhere else, the students were already dancing around, pirouetting, and showing off their fancy footwork. This just goes to show you, my darlings, how much love there was, and is still today, for ballet, for grace, for beauty and, let's be honest, a fabulous tutu!
And that brings us to my little #TutuTuesday fashion tip. If you’re feeling adventurous this week, why not channel some 60s chic and rock a tutu with a pair of cute boots, like knee-high boots with a pop of color? A splash of colour? That’s right darling, add that extra "je ne sais quoi" to your look with a dash of your favourite vibrant colour! Don't be afraid to go bold. This is your chance to stand out in style, just like the ballerinas in the 1960s. After all, dancing with a sprinkle of bold colour is sure to make you stand out in the crowd!
You’ll look utterly delightful. Just imagine twirling down the street or walking into that special ballet performance, leaving behind a trail of sunshine and pure ballet magic! Oh darling, what’s more delightful? Don’t forget to share your #TutuTuesday photos with me. I love seeing you embrace your inner ballerina.
Until next week, darlings, keep on twirling and keep shining in your beautiful tutus!
Lots of love,
*Emma, your Pink Tutu loving ballerina. *
Follow me: https://www.pink-tutu.com
(This blog post contains about 922 words)
