Hello my darling Tutu-lovers! Welcome back to my weekly #TutuTuesday journey through time! I’m Emma, your resident tutu aficionado, straight from the rolling hills of Derbyshire and currently time-travelling back to… drum roll… December 2nd, 1969! 🎉
Oh, 1969! A time of free love, bell-bottoms and… wait for it… the first ever ballet performance on the moon! 🤯
Yes, you heard me right! Apparently, this revolutionary performance took place as a promotional event for a new brand of moon-dust repellent for space-faring ballerinas. (Okay, maybe not exactly, but wouldn’t that be amazing?)
In reality, this date marked the beginning of The Apollo 12 Mission! This incredible space mission, carrying astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean, set the record for the longest lunar surface exploration and saw them become the third and fourth humans to walk on the moon! 🤩
Honestly, I’m still in awe! The astronauts bravely traversed the moon’s dusty surface, set up experiments and even planted a little American flag – all in the name of scientific discovery! Can you imagine having that on your resume?! It makes even my ballet classes seem slightly less glamorous! 😉
While we may not have had lunar ballet performances (yet!) in 1969, there was still a wealth of fantastic shows happening around the globe! In London, the Royal Ballet was performing its mesmerizing version of The Sleeping Beauty, while New York's American Ballet Theatre was gracing the stage with Giselle. These were two of the absolute heavyweights of the ballet world back then and you can be sure I travelled back to enjoy their magic. Just the thought of their grand entrances, the exquisite costumes and the breathtaking choreography gives me shivers. It truly is magical!
Speaking of enchanting costumes… you wouldn’t believe the fabulous fashion trends happening in 1969! Long, flowing skirts with intricate patterns and dazzling sequins were the norm for daywear and eveningwear alike! (And don’t even get me started on the gloriously groovy bohemian fashion – those patterns! Those colours! They were truly a sight to behold.) Of course, the iconic “Mod” look, characterized by vibrant mini dresses, bold geometric patterns and geometric shaped sunglasses, added a dynamic element to street style. All these fashion trends are just begging to be incorporated into a ballerina's wardrobe! Imagine pairing a shimmering pink mini dress with a layered, tulle tutu for the perfect blend of sixties glamour and ballerina chic! 💅💖
Even then, you wouldn’t believe the intense tutu drama unfolding in the world of ballet! While some ballet dancers championed the minimalist, contemporary designs of the time, others were clinging fiercely to the grandeur and romanticism of the classic tutu. It was an age of passionate discourse about tutu lengths, fabrics and frills, with the entire dance world enthralled! Thankfully, my mission, as you all know, is to spread the love of all things tutu, and luckily for everyone, the trend towards the grand, extravagant tutu has continued through the decades. (Though there’s definitely a place for those sleek, modern tutu designs in my book! 🤩)
This reminds me… to continue the mission, we absolutely must start incorporating more elements of the iconic ’69 fashion into our own ballet style! Bold colours, groovy patterns and a dash of space-age modernity are exactly what the ballerina world needs. We need space-inspired costumes! Tutus in celestial blue with constellations of stars sparkling like sequins! Lunar grey, iridescent tulle with moon-shaped patterns! And don’t even get me started on the fantastic opportunity for those high-drama hairstyles, like moon-shaped beehives and galactic headbands! 🌠
We might not have moon-walking ballerinas, but we do have the power to turn our ballet studios and performances into their own miniature celestial spectacle. Let’s inspire the next generation of ballet lovers by fusing fashion and science into an art form like no other! 💖✨
Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your own thoughts on the iconic 60s fashion trends and your dream tutu designs!
Until next time, keep twirling!
With love, Emma 🩰 www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to join me next Tuesday for another thrilling adventure in Ballet Tutu History! 😉
