Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your #PinkTutuQueen, and welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday! Today's date? The 8th of December, 1970! Fancy that, we're travelling through time again, but this time, the date itself isn't quite as notable as some of the ones we've visited before. Not that that stops us from having a good time, darling!
As always, my trusty pink tutu is packed and ready to go, just itching to twirl in the past! I'm not sure what exciting sights or dances await us on this trip – I haven't checked the time travel itinerary (because honestly, it's usually a bit of a surprise, and a lot of fun!), but it's going to be a real fashion adventure no matter what. Let's get those tutus twirling!
You might think, "1970, what could possibly be that interesting?" Well, darlings, hold your horses! 1970, though a touch on the drab side for fashion, is absolutely chock full of dance! We're about to slip into the 70s – think vibrant colours, groovy tunes and a little bit of free spirit in our ballet.
Now, this week, we're skipping along to New York City! Ah, the city that never sleeps, and certainly the home to a plethora of magnificent performances – and in 1970, the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) had its annual holiday performance. Who knows what grand costumes might have been graced the stage? Imagine all those magnificent tulle creations swirling under the Christmas lights – talk about a ballet dreamscape!
Don't worry darlings, this trip isn't all about catching a performance (although of course, it would be rude to not!), the most important thing, as always, is the ballet tutu itself! So let's talk about what’s happening with ballet tutus in this glamorous era!
1970 is smack-bang in the middle of the "modern ballet" boom. Remember last week, how we talked about the “neoclassical ballet”? It's the 1960s and early 70s, where dance really begins to shed the old and step into the new! You know, those wonderfully romantic and traditional styles of classical ballet – while always appreciated – are beginning to evolve. New movements, new ways of seeing the world and telling stories on stage, and… guess what? It also meant new ways of presenting ballet on stage, and a whole lot of creativity when it came to designing and making costumes!
The designs in the 1970s reflected the time's boldness and free spirit – bold colours, even a bit of avant-garde mixed in for good measure. They weren't always perfectly streamlined or super tight, there were textures, loose layers – a more playful attitude. Remember those romantic, airy, almost ethereal tulle skirts of the Victorian era? Well, the 1970s gave it a good shake, a little rough and tumble, and threw it a few bold colours and funky designs!
There was a strong desire for new ideas and styles! No more just perfect symmetry, think bold and strong. There was something truly innovative happening. There's something magical about seeing the dancers with a little extra oomph on their movements, with more dynamic designs on their tutus and their dance outfits – a real change from the "prim and proper" days of yore.
Now, when we travel to see a show – the thrill! Oh, to witness a beautiful show with a grand costume – you wouldn’t believe the stories a little detail, a flash of colour, or a new texture can tell. Ballet, to me, is like reading a story – each movement, each lift, every leap has a story to tell, and the costume helps paint that picture! I absolutely adore the designs of the 1970s! It’s almost like each costume designer said, “Let's paint the stage with the boldest colour and create the most dynamic lines imaginable!”. I’m off to my favourite fabric store after I’ve finished writing this, there are a few 70s-inspired tutu designs I need to try for the next #PinkTutuTuesday!
Don't you worry, darling! My fabulous time-traveling tutu, my dear old pink number that's seen more years than I have, still keeps my look super stylish. Though, as I’ve said, I can't resist a little 70s inspiration for this particular time trip. Who doesn't love a touch of psychedelic for the time traveling wardrobe?! And besides, darling, you know me – anything goes when you have a passion for dance!
Don't forget darlings, #PinkTutuTuesday isn't just about exploring fashion through the years. It’s also about remembering those incredible ballet moments that leave you wanting more. Every dancer on that stage, each and every show… all of it weaves into a story!
I have to admit, travelling back to these grand eras with you guys is simply delightful! I truly love how you’re coming along on my #TutuTuesday journey, sharing this love of the arts with me. And, to think I might have inspired you to grab your own pink tutu and join me for some fabulous dancing. Maybe this Tuesday we could meet at that new café you told me about… We can both be rocking a fabulous pink tutu of course! And then, maybe we can take the train into the West End to see a show – if you're lucky, we might even be able to sneak a peek at some backstage magic! I'll be sure to find the perfect pink tutu for that.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane with me, darling. I know that next week's #TutuTuesday will be another amazing time-traveling experience. So join me again, don't be shy. Let’s embrace the joy of dance and fashion, let’s share the love, and never stop dancing, darling.
And as always… keep those tutus twirling! 💕
