Hello, my lovely tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina blogger, ready to whisk you back to a time when fashion was, dare I say, slightly less exciting!
Today, we're travelling to May 13th, 1969. 1969, my dears, was a time of change. It was a year of moon landings and music festivals. A year when fashion was experimenting with bold colours, daring silhouettes, and – of course – tutus!
This particular Tuesday found me, quite literally, travelling in a train carriage towards Covent Garden. Yes, my darlings, my little time-travel budget was stretched a bit thin this week, but a trip to London for some ballet is never a disappointment. I was off to see the Royal Ballet perform "The Sleeping Beauty", a truly spectacular ballet that never fails to impress.
Oh, but let me rewind a bit. 1969, as far as ballet tutus go, was an era of interesting contrast. Whilst traditional tutu styles were still holding strong in classical ballet productions like "Sleeping Beauty," there were definitely new trends popping up, especially in modern and contemporary dance.
We're talking short, layered tutus made of new, stretchy fabrics, defying the rigidity of the past! Remember, this is just after the 60s, when the world was exploring new and free ways of expressing themselves. Even the iconic pink tulle we adore so much was evolving. You could find stunning gradient shades in soft peach or shimmering violet. Imagine that! It was truly a fascinating time for tulle!
Speaking of fabrics, 1969 marked a key shift towards a more diverse range of tulle. Think soft chiffon-like tulle, lightweight and flowy, creating elegant and whimsical dances. This is something we still see in modern productions, especially in more emotive ballet performances where fluidity is paramount.
While I wouldn't trade the glorious traditional tutu for anything, these new trends were a wonderful addition. They provided an exciting canvas for innovative choreography, making ballet more approachable, engaging, and captivating for audiences like me.
And talking about audiences, they were in for a treat that night at Covent Garden. Margot Fonteyn, a legend, took to the stage. It was truly awe-inspiring to see her artistry in a beautiful white classical tutu. It truly embodies grace and ethereal beauty. My pink tutu is even more grateful for its pink tulle glory right now, imagining a little of its ancestor onstage tonight.
And that’s just one of many ballet greats dancing their way into our memories from this particular time! The world of ballet, you see, isn’t all pink tutus and fairytale costumes. It’s also about powerful movements, emotional expressions, and, most importantly, inspiring artistry that resonates through generations.
Now, onto my time-travel diary entries. Fashion was truly vibrant and colorful. Bell-bottom jeans were everywhere, along with the mini-skirt and daringly patterned dresses. It was an era of change and experimentation. We wouldn’t see that same kind of experimentation with tutus for a little while, and some people said, “Why bother?” - a good example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” which I agree with most of the time, except, of course, for my tutu mission, but we won’t talk about that now…
While tutus in 1969 were primarily defined by classical ballets like the ones I witnessed in London, I predict that by the late 1970s and into the 80s, the world of ballet would witness a huge surge in modern styles and experimentation. Oh, the exciting evolution of ballet! Who knew tutus would become such an icon? They are truly a beautiful way to express a story and tell it so gracefully.
And that’s it for this week’s #TutuTuesday. I hope this little peek into 1969 brought a smile to your face! Remember, my darling readers, ballet tutus are not just costumes. They are testaments to artistry, passion, and beauty – all in the most enchanting way.
And, as always, don’t forget to spread the love of ballet and put on your most magnificent pink tutu. See you next week!
