#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1969-09-30

Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina, back with another dose of Tutu History! Buckle up your ballet shoes, because this week, we’re going back to the groovy year of 1969!

Ooh, the year of moon landings, Woodstock, and some rather fab fashion! And you know what else was pretty fabulous? The tutus!

You might think that the ‘60s was all about bell-bottoms and tie-dye, but let me tell you, darling, there was a definite ballet vibe going on!

As usual, I’ve done my research and found the perfect train! Well, not just any train... this time, I've found the glorious Orient Express! Now, we all know that glamorous old train whisks passengers across Europe in style and comfort - and so can I! * And it's perfect because *all those gorgeous Parisian shows await!

Remember what a good friend told me once: "Emma, darling, it's not enough to wear the tutu, you need to be in the right place and time for it to truly shimmer!" And this week, I'm so in the right place! I'm whisking myself off to Paris, for a trip to see a world-class performance by the Paris Opera Ballet.

You see, back in '69, Parisian fashion was all about elegance, but with a whimsical edge! Think crisp lines and couture pieces, but with a dash of bold colours and playful details. It's like those ballet costumes I love where the dancers whirl and twirl, showing off those beautiful silk panels. They have the softness and flow that made everyone want to join in the movement.

Now, 1969 saw a rather exciting change for Parisian Ballet: Rudolf Nureyev arrived! 🩰👑 It’s just the start of his long and exciting time at the Opera. His talent had already made him world-famous – he'd joined the Royal Ballet in 1961! And with a style all his own, he changed everything!

This makes it a very exciting time to be here!

The Opera’s main venue is Palais Garnier - what a truly stunning opulent and romantic setting for my favourite thing in the world. It’s where all the greatest ballet companies perform, and believe me, my darlings, the sheer power and beauty of a ballet performance takes your breath away! The performers - oh my! They make you gasp just from their elegance, their grace, and pure movement. Their bodies are literally a beautiful painting against that velvet red backdrop of the Opera. It’s magical! I wish everyone could see it for themselves!.

I can't forget to talk about the beautiful costumes! Oh my word! And that's the thing about ballet. You need the perfect costume and scenery for it to all come together, darling! Can you imagine wearing an outfit and just going for a run? Now imagine doing that with a stunning tutu that fits like a dream, in a magical setting like the Garnier! There's no better combination.

Right now I'm watching the show but of course I’ve already been shopping! There’s always a new tutu to be discovered! But there’s no point only looking at the perfect outfits without the perfection of ballet and all the things that come with that.

I've been taking class while I'm here (even I need to keep in practice!) and I’m looking forward to enjoying some deliciously traditional Parisian food with a little bit of wine - all in my favourite pink tutu, of course!

Paris has always been a place for all things beautiful, with its incredible architecture and incredible talent, it's a joy to experience all that it has to offer every time. And while you might be thinking that the only ballet being enjoyed is on the stage... think again. The city itself is flowing with life. You can practically hear every dancer’s beat echoing through those cobblestone streets, and dancing right into your heart.

I can’t wait to share more stories with you from the 60s! It’s a time of real joy for ballet, and that is something to celebrate!

So remember darlings: Keep twirling! Keep believing in your dreams! Keep it pink! Until next week!

Love,

Emma xx

Do you have any suggestions for my Tutu Tuesday blog?

• What dates or eras would you love to see explored in this whimsical way?
• Is there any type of dance I should cover next week?

• Any ideas for a #TutuTuesday blog post title I should use?

  Share your thoughts below!