Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, back again with another installment of your favourite #TutuTuesday blog post - all about the captivating history of the tutu!
I just adore taking you all on these fabulous time-travelling trips down memory lane. Who knew studying ballet history could be so much fun? And as I flit through time, I find myself getting ever more excited about the glorious evolution of the tutu. Oh, to be a ballerina in the Romantic era with my billowing, floor-length skirt, or the playful twirling of the shorter, fitted tutus of the 19th Century!
But today, my lovelies, we’re hopping onto a lovely little train carriage and whizzing back to the magical year of 1970! Now, this was a real whirlwind of a year - from the very first Earth Day to the moon landing - but it’s also a truly remarkable year in tutu history, one we need to explore together.
A Touch of Theatre
Remember that utterly captivating film, "The Turning Point," starring Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine, which came out this very year? I remember seeing it at the theatre, a delightful mix of dancing and acting. Honestly, you just can't beat the energy of a good live theatre performance!
But "The Turning Point" wasn’t just a movie - it also captured a significant cultural moment. Ballet, once seen as a rather elite art form, was starting to be seen in a new, exciting light, and more and more people were interested in attending ballet shows and learning to dance. In the heart of London, there was a wonderful buzz around ballet that I was totally absorbed in - the Covent Garden was buzzing, with all those glorious shows! And of course, my favourite dancers, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, were still performing in their full glory.
Pink Power, Baby!
Now, back to our favourite tutu discussion - 1970 saw some remarkable changes in tutu design, changes I find simply delightful!
We're still in a world of colour, with tutus adorned in shades that just delight the eye! I find it endlessly captivating, you know, the way a vibrant colour, be it pink, lavender, or a lovely deep blue, can just bring the whole performance to life. It makes my own heart soar when I see it on stage.
However, in this period, I found myself absolutely captivated by a trend for longer tutus, especially in my favourite colour – pink! It was truly revolutionary! The dancers, oh so elegant in their beautiful pink, really created such a stunning visual spectacle, their swirling tutus a joyous dance of colours. I think those pink tutus were a symbol of something quite extraordinary - they stood for strength, freedom, and a defiance against tradition. It was a remarkable era for bold statement, for celebrating colour, and of course, for pink, darling!
And here I am, as you know, advocating for this kind of bold, colourful attitude every day! Wear that pink tutu with pride, ladies - don't let anyone tell you otherwise! It's more than just a piece of clothing, it's a way of expressing ourselves!
A Parisian Boutique Dream
And it wouldn't be a proper #TutuTuesday without some retail therapy, right? Oh, to visit Paris in this era and step into a gorgeous little boutique like “Maddalena"! Oh, they have the most beautiful pink tutus - so many lovely fabrics and colours! Just heavenly!
I often indulge in the delights of Paris during my travels - the city truly has a certain “je ne sais quoi” for fashion that is just so wonderfully intoxicating!
A Day Trip To See The Royal Ballet
To finish off today's jaunt down memory lane, I'm planning a lovely train ride. As you know, I am absolutely obsessed with travelling by train! There's something quite special about it - it’s a perfectly romantic and picturesque way to see the world.
And today I am taking a wonderful little train journey to the theatre - a very exciting visit to watch the Royal Ballet perform. Imagine, darling, the magnificent grace of these incredible dancers, all those dazzling tutus - what an exciting journey through time.
Well, darlings, it's time for me to head off to catch my train. Remember, always remember the power of pink tutus! Let's keep the spirit of this exciting period alive, shall we?
Until next Tuesday!
Yours in pink, Emma
xx
(And please remember, dear readers, that all journeys are funded through ballet performances. The joy of dance, darling, fuels my wanderlust! So the next time you catch a ballet show, be sure to let it take you on an adventure!)
