Bonjour, darlings! Emma here, your time-traveling ballerina blogger, back with another exciting trip into the fabulous history of the tutu! This week, we're shimmying back to 2nd March, 1971, a year when the world was dancing to a disco beat, and fashion was absolutely thrilling.
From my chic pink tutu perch, I'm ready to share the story of the tutus that captivated this particular day.
Ooh, La La, Paris!
Our adventure begins in the City of Lights - Paris, my favourite destination for fashion inspiration! In 1971, Paris was buzzing with a certain chic nonchalance. Think long, flowing skirts, and those impossibly cool silk blouses. The energy of this decade had just begun to really kick in, and the streets were a riot of colours. It’s no surprise that the Paris Opera Ballet, still renowned for its exquisite choreography and graceful tutus, was pulling in audiences like moths to a flame. Imagine this: plush velvet seats, glittering chandeliers, and the magical whispers of classical music. Pure bliss, my dears!
And then… there they are! The dancers, all in those breathtakingly beautiful, classic Romantic tutus. Picture feathery layers of tulle, the gentle billow as they move, the elegance - just divine. These tutus are not meant for twirling, mind you, but rather for delicate, almost weightless, movements that embody the grace and poetry of the classic repertoire.
Across the pond...to the land of opportunity
On this very day, New York was in the throes of an incredible period for modern dance. Companies like Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp were pushing the boundaries of dance. It's an era where experimental movements, bold costumes and those incredible platform shoes are in their heyday. So you know what? While the traditional tutu might not be the centre of attention at a Taylor or Tharp piece, its presence is still felt in a profound way.
Think about it! A dancer gracefully gliding across the stage in a fitted tutu, all sleek and powerful. This design is designed for speed and freedom of movement. Just imagine it, the lines, the way the dancers’ bodies trace against the tulle - stunning, isn’t it? The contemporary dancers took the tutu and made it their own, playing with the fabric to express a wider spectrum of emotions and physicality.
But wait! There's More
1971 wasn't just about ballet performances. Fashion became the big talking point this year.
The '70s marked the arrival of a whole new type of chic. You’d be hard-pressed to find a social event without a glimpse of a beautiful tiered mini-tutu skirt - often crafted in soft satin, tulle, or even velvet! Think disco nights, cocktail parties, even at school dances! Those mini tutus, darling, gave every girl the freedom to twirl, and move with carefree confidence - they were a truly fabulous fusion of fashion and dance.
And that is the real heart of what a tutu means, isn't it? The pure joy of movement.
Back to My Corner of the World…Derbyshire!
My darlings, you might be wondering what life was like for our tutu loving souls back in my little corner of the world in Derbyshire. Well, believe me, we certainly loved our twirls too! It may not have had the grandeur of the Paris Opera, but there were always wonderful shows and community dances. You see, I grew up surrounded by a supportive ballet community – my local school always put on fabulous end-of-year performances, full of fluffy tutus, bright colours, and just enough twinkling lights to make our little world shine! And believe me, we took to the stage with a passion for dance, and a lot of twirls!
Back to the future (or at least the Present Day!)
Oh my dears, how amazing is it that we can step back in time and take a little peak at the fashion history of tutus? It's all about the sheer beauty, the creativity and that utterly joyful spirit of movement, which is the essence of everything wonderful about tutus! And it's still going strong. In fact, even today, I see tutus making their way into all kinds of incredible ways - on fashion runways, in the movies and, most excitingly, on the street, where girls and women embrace this statement of power and playfulness with joy.
This #TutuTuesday, why not grab a pink tutu, darling? You don’t have to be a dancer - wear it for a picnic, a tea party with your friends, a walk in the park. Or just wear it in your own home.
Be brave, embrace your inner ballerina, and let the twirling commence! Until next time, happy dancing!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TutusEverywhere #TimeTravel #EmmaintheTutu #PinkTutuDreams
