Hiya lovelies! Itâs Emma here, your pink tutu-loving, time-traveling, ballet-obsessed blogger! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com â the website dedicated to all things tutu, especially those glorious, frilly, pink ones!
Today, on this fine #TutuTuesday, weâre hopping on a steam train and venturing back to 1970, a decade that was all aboutâŚwell, you know, the groovy stuff! But did you know that 1970s tutus were something else, darling? They were bold, they were expressive, and they definitely werenât afraid of colour. And what colour is my favourite? đ You guessed it, pink!
Itâs not just my obsession though, the worldâs obsession with tutus is almost as big as my love of pink!
So, what was going on in the world of ballet back in 1970? Well, the iconic ballerina Margot Fonteyn was still gracing the stages of the world with her graceful artistry. And can we talk about the sheer opulence of those classic tutu styles? Weâre talking about long, layered tutus that billowed like a fluffy pink cloud! I imagine them dancing like butterflies in the soft spotlights of the theatre.
However, 1970 saw a bit of a shift. We had the advent of a new generation of dancers breaking the mould â think Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev, bringing in a more athletic, modern style. These incredible artists challenged the conventions, pushing the boundaries of both choreography and, you guessed it, tutu design!
Did you know that, back in the 70s, dancers were experimenting with shorter tutus and more streamlined, contemporary looks? There was still a bit of the classic pink about, but lots of new, bold colours â like deep greens, rich reds, and maybe a sprinkle of silver too. There was even an air of disco glitz!
The influence of ballet was everywhere back then! There were ballet performances all over the place. My own city, Derby, boasted a fantastic theatre with a schedule packed full of ballet shows. There was the Derby Royal Ballet (a wonderful school too) and amazing shows at the Guildhall Theatre. In London there was The Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet at the Coliseum, of course, but that wasnât all. Shows travelled all over. Even a lovely theatre like the Sheffield City Hall saw ballets on the bill, which is always lovely to see. Ballet in Britain in the 70s was everywhere!
But it wasnât all just in theatres, was it, darling? Television even broadcast ballet, and the Royal Ballet was performing âSleeping Beautyâ, featuring the magnificent Svetlana Beriosova, at Londonâs Royal Opera House. And what were people wearing at these fabulous performances? A stylish shift dress or a fabulous jumpsuit, paired with high-heeled platform shoes. Of course, no outfit is complete without the sparkling chandelier earrings â after all, there are few things as lovely as glittering under a spotlight, and these earrings really add a little bit of sparkle!
So, next time you see a tutu, darling, think of its history! And don't forget that pink tutu dream of mine - the ultimate style goal: to inspire you all to embrace your inner tutu-wearing diva, just like me.
Whatâs your favourite style of tutu? And whatâs your ultimate dance outfit for a night at the ballet? Donât be shy! Letâs share our tutu-love in the comments!
Catch you next #TutuTuesday!
Emma XOXO
P.S. Have a glorious day, and donât forget to sparkle! â¨
P.P.S Fancy a ballet performance tonight, or an exciting train trip with a yummy, steaming cup of tea and a tasty chocolate cake in a pretty box? Sometimes when I am feeling like it is time for a real girly shopping spree, the trip back in time just isnât for me and I love a fabulous train ride to my local shopping mall! They even have a beautiful shop that sells amazing, shimmering shoes! If I could, Iâd buy every one! You have to be so careful, donât you, when there is so much beautiful choice about. đ
I can't tell you which lovely store because it would break my code, darling, so itâs a secret. đ
