Greetings, my darling tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-loving, time-traveling fashionista, back with another #TutuTuesday installment! Buckle up, my loves, because today we're taking a trip to the fabulously glamorous year 1971 – think groovy tunes, disco fever, and… well, yes, tutus!
As a dedicated devotee to all things ballet (and all things pink!), it wouldn't be fair of me to only rave about tutus of the present day. Our ballerina predecessors – the graceful icons who laid the foundation for the elegant ensembles we know and love – deserve their due credit. So, let's travel back in time and take a peek at the tutus that graced the stages in that magnificent era.
1971 – A Tutu Odyssey!Stepping off the train at London’s Victoria Station – such a glorious adventure for this Derbyshire girl – and armed with my trusty ballet flats and a pink suitcase full of chic, retro-inspired dresses, I was ready to explore! Oh, the wonders of travelling by train – such a charming and efficient way to reach all the grand cities and captivating towns for a fabulously fabulous fashion-focused time travelling ballet experience! 1971 is bursting with history and beautiful styles – and I've managed to sneak into one of the most breathtaking performances this week!
I popped in to see the Royal Ballet’s production of Swan Lake, which opened this very date in July – 20th July, 1971. The Covent Garden Opera House – wow! It's even grander in person than I could ever have imagined! The setting, the ambience, and – drumroll – the tutus! They were an absolute sight to behold – just what a real tutu-loving, fashion-forward girl like me was longing for.
The tutus for the swans were dreamy – pure, white with a soft shimmer and ethereal ruffles, just a little bit bell bottomed if you get my meaning (the in-style look at the time – did you see the trousers?). Such beautiful craftsmanship - you really see the dedication to creating something elegant and enduring, something to inspire audiences for generations! The White Swan and Black Swan roles? Absolutely sensational – and, you guessed it! Each ballerina with her very own stunning and elegant tulle tutu – just breathtaking. It’s those black swan costumes that stand out to me – not quite pink but just that touch of gothic elegance to set them apart – my kind of statement tutu piece.
This journey through 1971 has proven that a tutu – in any era, any shade (even black! ), even if a little bit more bell bottomed – is always a breathtaking piece of ballet history and, of course, an enchanting sight. Now, go forth my dears and remember – the right pink tutu can always elevate your fashion statement (no matter the year).
And don’t forget - every week I’ll be taking a step back in time with my #TutuTuesday posts, diving into more history, exploring more tutus from different decades – there’s so much to discover. Join me for next week’s blog, when I’ll be sharing my time travel experience of a breathtaking ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty – an ode to tutu dreams!
Keep it glamorous and wear your tutu with confidence, my loves!XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
