Hello darlings! Welcome back to another installment of #TutuTuesday here on pink-tutu.com! It's your favourite pink-tutu-loving, time-traveling, ballerina blogger Emma, and today I'm whisking you back to January 27th 1970 - the day that completely changed the face of tutus! Well, maybe not completely, but it certainly was a step in the right direction. 😉
As a Derbyshire lass myself, I feel like there's something particularly special about January - the air is crisp, the birds are singing (especially if they're feeling brave), and it feels like the perfect time for a little leap of faith… literally!
Before I jump into this juicy tidbit of tutu history, though, did you know this is actually blog post number 7205 for my Ballet Tutu History series?! How absolutely splendid, isn't it?
What Was Going On On January 27th 1970?It's interesting to consider where ballet stood back then. It wasn't just about pretty tutus and beautiful dance steps, it was truly a revolution. In 1970, the New York City Ballet were holding their famous "Winter Festival", a grand collection of contemporary dance works. Just imagine the flurry of tutus, the excitement, the sheer elegance! Imagine how those fabulous dancers would be looking in their lovely tutus.
Of course, I'd be flying on the train up to New York, first class naturally – nothing but the best for your girl, after all. The glamour of such a special occasion, all the incredible designs, the stunning fabrics and trims - that’s the sort of thing that truly gets my creative juices flowing.
The History LessonSo, let's talk tutus! January 27th 1970 marks a revolutionary moment for our much-loved fluffy friend, because it's the date that we can all be truly grateful for – because, my loves, it's the birthday of a legendary choreographer!
On this very date, the world welcomed none other than William Forsythe! You see, Bill (as I like to call him, we’re practically best friends after my trip through time) had a profound effect on ballet, and, if you'll allow me to brag, it even had a huge influence on tutu trends!
You see, back in the good old days, tutus were, dare I say, quite rigid. The ‘classical’ tutu had been around since the 1800s, a beautiful fluffy explosion of white tulle, perfect for Swan Lake. This was very much what a ballerina would be expected to wear. However, imagine the world if ballerinas wore the same type of tutus all the time! What about their freedom of movement? What about individuality?
Now, William, that little revolutionary, did not play by the rules. His groundbreaking work, like 'In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated', which came out years later, really changed the game. In these pieces, tutus became a canvas for his choreography – an artistic expression, like beautiful pieces of sculpture in motion. Think less 'ballet perfection' and more unpredictable artistry. His ‘Balletic Expressions' became known as ‘Neo-Classical’ tutus, because they introduced a new wave of creativity that didn't feel like they had to be 'Classical', everything was free and flowing, giving ballerinas even more expression through their bodies and dance! And the tutus, oh my dear, stunningly dramatic in every shade imaginable! It felt like a burst of pure happiness.
But, let me tell you something else I noticed on that magical day. Back then, there were already some fabulous tutus! The design for 'Who Cares?', one of his very first pieces, was designed by the genius himself - Martin Scorsese! Imagine that, the master of film was also designing stunning costumes for ballet, talk about cross-arts collaboration. The costume was a bold, brightly coloured tutu, in a modern, almost streetwear vibe. Now, that’s what I call a tutu that could be a trend right now! Sigh.
As a fan of all kinds of ballet, my dear, this kind of design really gets my inner ballet fiend going. The possibilities are endless – who would have thought we’d be seeing ballerinas twirling on stage in tutus in vibrant neon hues back in the day?
It’s clear William had a profound impact on the development of tutus. We should thank him, because without him, we wouldn't have these magical, expressive, multicoloured tutus, that truly feel like art in motion. Now, we all have endless choice in our favourite ballet tutu looks. Think about all the amazing fashion designers today - from Mary Katrantzou, to Alice Temperley, who love to experiment with tulle – you just know this legacy is here to stay!
Looking AheadThere is always so much to talk about in Ballet Tutu History – we've already touched on the past and its future. My loves, if there's anything I’ve learned from this fantastic journey, it’s that tutus, like all good fashion, never really go out of fashion – they just change! But one thing remains constant - the pure joy of movement. That’s why we, as dancers and fans, will be seeing tutus, on our loved ones and in our favorite performances, for many, many more years to come.
Just think, in another 50 years (because you never know what could happen in the realm of fashion!), maybe your kids or your grandchildren will look back at these years, as we do to 1970, and be just as captivated. I think this really sums up the beautiful journey of the ballet tutu - we always find a reason to love it and to celebrate the new ways that we are able to show that love. It’s our job as passionate, tutu-wearing individuals to make sure these fantastic garments continue to grace stages for centuries to come.
So, now that you know the historical truth of the fabulous tutu, what's stopping you from wearing one today? Because, as far as I'm concerned, any day can be #TutuTuesday. And of course, pink is always a good choice!
Remember, if you ever have any questions or comments on Ballet Tutu History, you know where to find me! Pop on over to www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest posts, pictures of my adventures through time, and everything that your heart could ever wish for regarding this truly magical item.
Until next week, darlings, don’t stop being amazing!
Your favourite time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma 💕
