Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tulle and twirls! This week, I’m taking us on a little journey back in time, to November 30th, 1971! Put on your finest pink tutu (or any tutu, really, the choice is yours!) and join me, as we discover the world of ballet and fashion through a vintage lens!
Now, this date was pretty special, even back in the day. November 30th, 1971 marked the day when the New York City Ballet opened their annual holiday season with a brand new production of “The Nutcracker.” The music by Tchaikovsky, the gorgeous sets and costumes... what could be more festive! Imagine being there - a shimmering sea of tutus and tap shoes filling the audience, and the smell of Christmas in the air. Talk about a magical experience!
Now, let's chat about tutus in 1971, shall we? It's a little before my time, but the classic romantic tutu, the one with layers of tulle gathered around the hips and waist, was the big star! You know, the one with the tight, pointed bodice and the billowing skirt? Picture The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Swan Lake. They were big, they were dramatic, they were elegant. Imagine twirling around in one – pure bliss!
This time period saw tutus starting to move away from traditional pastel colours. It's fascinating to see the evolution of colour on the ballet stage! Imagine the costumes with deeper shades, richer colours – maybe even a little pop of emerald green or royal blue. Now that would be something!
Fashion-wise, 1971 was full of fabulousness! It was the peak of the disco era! think platform shoes, wide-legged trousers, bold colours and lots of sparkle. The big, flowing skirts of a romantic tutu certainly fit right in! Now I’m picturing a little ballerina with a huge sparkly disco ball of a tutu! Doesn’t that just spark joy? A little tutu inspiration to brighten up the week, perhaps?!
For a real 1971 fashion inspiration fix, picture yourself browsing the fashion mags! A Vogue magazine, say? Oh my, imagine those chic clothes, with little hints of ballet – a silk scarf draped just like a ballerina’s skirt or maybe a delicate lace trimming just hinting at tutus! You can see that inspiration was floating around!
Being in 1971 for a day – ooh, I must travel back soon for this – a great costume inspiration - you would’ve been part of a fascinating fashion moment, surrounded by creativity! It would be a sight to see! You know, now I'm dreaming of heading back to 1971 and having a look at what everyone was wearing! It's incredible to think about all those years that came before us, full of fantastic ballet moments and fascinating fashion trends!
For a proper “tutu-ific” adventure, it was really worth getting on a train. This time around, I was feeling particularly bold – the thought of seeing that production of The Nutcracker made me want to hit the road and jump on a train journey. It’s so relaxing, a lovely way to see the countryside and enjoy the feeling of adventure, even a train trip down from Derbyshire!
Speaking of trains, the early 1970s were all about rail travel! It was the glamorous way to get around! If I could only time-travel just for one day, I would grab a travel poster and set off on a long-distance train trip – imagine me with my pink tutu! Such a chic and delightful way to get around, if I do say so myself!
It really makes you wonder what amazing tutus we'll see in the future! Perhaps tutus that change colour with the mood? Or tutus that project light patterns? We’ll keep watching and twirling along!
If you have a #TutuTuesday story to share or a favourite ballet memory from the 70s, leave me a comment below! I’m excited to hear all your thoughts and experiences. Remember, I love seeing photos of you in your tutus so share them with me using #PinkTutu! And don’t forget to join me next week for another #TutuTuesday adventure! See you then lovelies!
Yours in tulle,
Emma
Pink-Tutu.com
