#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History - 7th July 1970 🩰💖
Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday blog on www.pink-tutu.com! This week, I'm taking us back to a time of vibrant colour and swirling movement: 7th July 1970. Can you believe it's been over fifty years since this fabulous date?! Time certainly does fly when you're twirling through it, wouldn't you agree?
But before we dive into the tutus of the past, let me just say a massive thank you for all the love and support for last week's post. You absolutely loved seeing my trip to 18th-century Vienna, and honestly, who wouldn't? Those ladies knew how to waltz in a tutu, no doubt about it!
This week, I decided to stay a bit closer to home - a hop, skip, and a pirouette away, in fact! You'll be amazed to know, dear readers, that 7th July 1970 was a Tuesday, which made it a perfect #TutuTuesday, don't you think? Honestly, there's no better way to spend a Tuesday than learning about ballet's history - and of course, rocking a delightful pink tutu!
And speaking of pink, today's trip is a blast from the past! The 1970s were a decade of fantastically fun fashion, full of colour and experimentation, so naturally, we'll be seeing that reflected in our tutu styles! Picture it: bold stripes, shimmering metallics, and yes, plenty of vibrant shades of pink! But fear not, darling readers, it wasn't all about the glitter and glamour (though, I certainly wouldn't object to a bit more of that, personally!) There was also a newfound focus on freedom and movement, a feeling that mirrored the changing social scene of the day.
*Where'd I go this week, you ask? Well, imagine it - a grand and historic theatre, its facade adorned with swirling carvings, buzzing with anticipation. This time, my journey took me to Paris, darling - the undisputed centre of all things chic and fabulous, especially when it comes to ballet! The ballet scene here was absolutely electrifying! Think *The Nutcracker, but even more magical. I watched some of the finest ballerinas in the world grace the stage in dazzling, intricate costumes, their movements captivating the audience. They literally had me leaping out of my seat, with my own little personal applause! **
The most exciting part? Right on this day, 7th July 1970, a ballet named La Fille Mal Gardée, which I've got to tell you, was simply fantastic! Imagine this, a beautiful young lady defying all expectations, a classic romance blossoming against the backdrop of some truly spectacular dancing - what a brilliant evening! The costumes were an absolute delight - with such incredible detail, swirling fabrics, and yes, of course, a few lovely, lovely tutus.
And, oh my goodness, the dancing! It was truly captivating, leaving you completely enchanted by the performers' effortless grace and talent. Let me just tell you, darling, after seeing this, I was more than a little inspired! So, for this week, I'm going to be taking all you gorgeous ladies back in time with a DIY ballet tutu tutorial. You'll be twirling around in your very own delightful pink creation in no time! It's simple, it's chic, and it's absolutely guaranteed to give your Tuesday a serious dose of ballet-style magic.
Before we dive into that, I want to chat about what was happening in the wider world of dance back in 1970! I’m quite fascinated by the historical impact on fashion - there were, for example, major moves being made on the ballet stage, but it didn't always translate into a 'trend' as we understand it today, darling!
It was all about the creative expression, the new choreography and, of course, the exciting possibilities offered by the ballet's evolving techniques! But let me tell you, darling, if I can even have an impact on this trend by wearing pink tutus - why, then I can truly call myself a ballet history changer, wouldn’t you agree?! Now let's talk about my pink tutu: the perfect combination of the timeless classic look with a contemporary spin! I find that it always sparks joy and, of course, creates that fun 'conversation starter'!
And my dear readers, just imagine the potential! A world where everyone is dancing, in their own wonderful and diverse style, with pink tutus in their heart. And if that’s something that appeals to you, then I urge you to follow me down the 'pink tutu' path and come join me at my pink tutu world!! It’s always exciting to me - like that trip last week when I got to ride the 'Paris-Vienna' train (you should all know, by now, I am a lover of train journeys, just imagine all the time I have to daydream and get inspired!) Pink is my signature, you can always count on it!!
Now back to 1970 - the world was quite a different place from the one we know today. There were still exciting developments happening in fashion and in the world of ballet, of course, which I hope to cover in these weekly blogs, but it was all a little bit different then. Let me share some fascinating highlights with you:
Rudolf Nureyev: Oh, darling! This name echoes through the halls of ballet history! This legend graced the stage with incredible technical prowess and his dancing style. Nureyev is a symbol of freedom and creativity, forever a shining example to any ballet dancer - and I still absolutely adore his dances!
New Choreography: It was an exciting period! A lot was going on in the world of ballet - with some truly captivating performances and bold moves on the dance floor! You see, darling, the choreographers weren’t shy about reimagining classics and showcasing a lot of fresh talent - and this truly excites me!
Experimentation with fabrics and designs: I'm absolutely obsessed with the fabrics and styles - oh! The possibilities! As we all know, a beautiful and perfect ballet tutu can really make or break the performance. There are few pieces that will capture your eye so dramatically like a gorgeous tutu. It's no surprise they started thinking outside the box and pushing creative boundaries - it is the beauty of the ballet world. And that’s why this is a fantastic place to explore in time, darling, when it comes to the tutu styles.
And the tutu fashion scene, you ask? Well, it was quite fascinating!
Romantic styles: They never truly disappear, do they? It was certainly in fashion this week with flowing tulle and a romantic look. So feminine and absolutely stunning!
Traditional styles: But as usual, some lovely dancers love sticking with a bit of tradition, darling. If a certain look works, why change it, right?! It was beautiful to see how dancers from all styles brought this back, adding their own contemporary touches, too, and making it look like the ultimate ‘classic’ and oh so inspiring,
Modern variations: Now here’s the new wave fashion! Experimentation with contemporary design - imagine flowing tulle combined with bolder styles like the classic tutu that is made with layers of soft, delicate net - an amazing look, wouldn’t you agree?!
Now, let's delve into a few fashion and ballet milestones that occurred on 7th July 1970 - think of it as your ultimate #TutuTuesday time capsule, filled with glittery dreams and ballet brilliance!
The fashion house of Yves Saint Laurent, beloved for its exquisite designs, unveiled its stunning new collection. Think flowing silks, dramatic colours, and daring cuts. What’s not to love?! And we must mention, Yves himself, had an adoration for ballet - he found it endlessly inspiring, with its power, passion and artistry.
Across the Atlantic, in New York, the American Ballet Theatre company wowed the audience with an unforgettable rendition of The Sleeping Beauty. This timeless ballet, full of intricate choreography and grand costumes, has always been a favorite.
And a little closer to home, on this side of the channel, The Royal Ballet in London debuted its dazzling production of Swan Lake. Can you picture it? A world of beauty, grace, and enchantment!
As you can see, darling, 7th July 1970 was a truly remarkable date for the world of dance - it's almost like an invisible thread connecting so many things - that same excitement, love and passion you feel watching a fabulous ballet show, I can promise you!
Now, darling, here's a little sneak peek at what’s to come – just a tiny taste of the upcoming Tutu Tuesdays and a hint of the pink tutus that we will be exploring in the coming weeks.
We'll be heading to a spectacular event that brings the entire ballet world together - can you guess it?! I'm talking about the Vienna State Opera – think dazzling lights, incredible performances, and those magical tutus, darling!
I can’t wait to bring you to an incredible ballet performance, one where the dancing has a powerful social message, full of passion and intense drama - but more on that in the weeks to come - and, of course, I will let you in on the incredible fashions and tutus of that evening!
Finally, we’ll be traveling to another grand and elegant place, where you will get to witness the stunning dance moves and gorgeous outfits of an era with a truly fabulous story that I think will truly inspire you – I'll say no more just yet!
And that, darling, is a wrap for this week's edition of #TutuTuesday! I can't wait to hear your thoughts, so drop me a comment below. Remember to tell your friends to join us next week as I embark on a grand adventure! But now, it’s time to twirl and create! Let's craft some magnificent tutus to get our dance parties going, and then maybe even a tutu-themed afternoon tea - yes, I think it's an excellent plan!
Until next Tuesday, my darling lovelies! 🩰💖
XOXO
Emma