Helloooo my lovely tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina, Emma, here, ready to take you on a trip down memory lane to the fab 70s! 🩰
As we all know, here at www.pink-tutu.com, Tuesday means #TutuTuesday, and today, my dear readers, we’re taking a deep dive into the whimsical, colourful, and ever-so-slightly sparkly world of ballet tutus in the groovy decade of the 1970s.
Buckle up, because it’s a real rollercoaster ride! 🎢
Today, as I type, the sun is shining and I'm just back from a smashing show at the Paris Opera, wearing, of course, my favourite pink tutu with its extra fluffy skirt and glittering sequins. I do love seeing ballet shows. Especially those that feature pink tutus.
It makes me so happy when the lead ballerina swirls and pirouettes, her pink tutu billowing around her, creating a kaleidoscope of colour and magic. I feel like I could float away myself!
And Paris, oh Paris! It's like a wonderland of fashion and dance. Today, I shopped until I dropped at Printemps - the gorgeous clothes, shoes, and yes, tutus! (One just has to pick up the occasional tutu while one's travelling, don’t you think?). I couldn’t resist a brand new lilac tutu with a beautiful swirling skirt that reminded me of the night sky. I imagine myself as a dainty little butterfly, flitting around under the Parisian sky... 🦋
Of course, travelling back in time, it takes a fair bit of budgeting, that's why my little side hustle involves the joys of ballet. That way, I can go to more performances and even afford the fancy train ticket back to Derbyshire for Christmas. Did I tell you about my family’s annual panto performance in our village hall? So lovely! All that glitz and glam, and I get to show off my latest tutu, of course! 😉
Anyway, back to our journey into the history of tutus!
The 70s, my dears, was a time of experimentation and expression. It wasn’t just about big hair, platform shoes, and bell bottoms. The world of ballet was also taking some bold steps – sorry, couldn’t resist that pun! – forward. It was all about pushing boundaries, and that definitely included how we were looking at the iconic tutu!
This era saw a departure from the classic romantic ballet tutus with their soft, flowing, and more traditional styling. The 70s embraced bold, more modern lines, incorporating contrasting fabrics, dramatic silhouettes and a range of vibrant colours that echoed the psychedelic and funky vibe of the time. I especially loved the new-wave tutus with bold geometrical patterns, imagine a pink tutu with sharp black and white stripes… amazing, eh?
The legendary Rudolf Nureyev was at the forefront of this innovative trend, demanding more modern, sculptural, and dare I say, eye-catching tutus from his dancers. We were entering a new era for the tutu – no longer just a traditional, flowing symbol of ballet – it was transforming into a piece of modern art, highlighting movement and expression. The 70s brought an explosion of creativity and it's a pleasure to watch ballet performances today, with those contemporary, bold tutu designs, influencing modern productions in such a creative way!
And the dancers were amazing too. I’ve never seen so many wonderful and captivating performances as I did in this decade. The famous Margot Fonteyn was still a legend at this time – a classic beauty! Her dancing was effortless and lyrical, she exuded an undeniable charm. The ballet world, it was really evolving!
Let’s not forget the impact of Hollywood on the tutu of the 1970s, too! The popularity of “Barbarella” with Jane Fonda (imagine, a ballet version!) and even “The Wizard of Oz”, played a big role in promoting a more playful, exciting and, yes, even sexy approach to dance. Imagine the iconic Wizard of Oz ballerina – with her silver sequins and sparkly pink tutu - wow! ✨
Don't forget! You don't have to be a dancer to enjoy a pink tutu. The joy of wearing a tutu is all about the fun, creativity, and embracing your inner princess! Whether it's for a fancy dress party or just a whimsical day out at the park, let your tutu fly free, darling!
Remember, we are all little princesses, whether we dance on stage or in our living rooms. So, let's keep embracing our inner tutu-lover and continue celebrating the incredible history and magic of this magnificent piece of dancewear.
Until next Tuesday, darlings, happy tutuing! 🩰💖
P.S. Want to see a really fun tutu video from the 70s? Have a look at this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7oK7O2a35Z4. It features the dancers of the Royal Ballet rehearsing a gorgeous pink tutu routine for “Swan Lake" in 1978. Oh, it just makes me want to get in on the action, haha! ✨
