Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where we journey through time to discover the glorious history of the ballet tutu! It's me, your time-travelling, tutu-loving blogger Emma, and this week I'm hopping back to 1972 - a year of bold colours, big changes, and a whole lot of fantastic tutus!
Now, my darlings, 1972 wasn't a year just for flower power and platform shoes - it was a big year for dance! We're in the midst of a tutu renaissance. The petit rat (a tutu with a short skirt and an ultra-fluffy top) is back, making its mark with the legendary dancers of the Royal Ballet! Imagine those iconic, starlit stages of London's Covent Garden, glowing with the magic of Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Dame Antoinette Sibley, all swirling in petit rats, each as breathtaking and captivating as the next.
Now, imagine me, nestled into my comfy carriage seat, travelling through time in a whisper of silk and pink, on my way to that legendary venue - the Royal Opera House. Oh, the thrill! My favourite pink tutu is sparkling under the soft carriage lamp, the train billowing around my feet, ready to unleash its full magnificence when I step onto the cobbled streets of London.
Once there, I wouldn't just be a spectator, you know - I'd be one with the movement. Imagine! I'd be right there with Margot, with those impossibly high grand jetés and that graceful arabesque... and then imagine myself swishing backstage through those labyrinthine dressing rooms with the rest of the ballerinas! That's my dream - being part of the action, right down to the stage makeup and the backstage hairspray mist!
But hold on, my dears - the year 1972 also holds some surprises! The romantische tutu - a softer, more layered design that evokes dreams and fairytales - was making a comeback, reintroducing those romantic ballet themes with even more grandeur! Now, that's a tutu I'm itching to twirl in. Imagine those billowing layers catching the stage lights!
Don't you simply love how time has a way of making its cyclical dance? Fashion in ballet tutus was in the midst of its own beautiful cycle, mirroring society's cultural shifts - that yearning for a lighter, more ethereal style - just as in 1972. We see the return to classic silhouettes while retaining that modern flair, just like the styles worn on those London stages - think those intricate bodices and that daring open back. It's divine!
And of course, let's not forget the impact of the "ballet boom"! Dance has always been my lifeblood, my dear readers. You know this is what brings me back to you - time and again. So imagine me, strolling through Covent Garden, my own little pink tutu gleaming as bright as the window displays, my senses alight with all the vibrant shops overflowing with chic Parisian dresses, flared trousers, and bold platform shoes. It's a kaleidoscope of everything fashionable, a reflection of that cultural explosion, that love for the art of fashion, that truly was the heart of London back in 1972!
But that wasn't all, darlings - August 1st was a particularly exciting day for the world of ballet! Imagine it... a day that saw not just one, but two fantastic ballet premieres:
Firstly, "Giselle" took centre stage at Covent Garden, that romantic masterpiece from 1841, bursting with timeless themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. The story, that heartbreaking tale of love, deceit, and tragedy! How could a ballerina, a tutu enthusiast, not be enthralled! The Romantische tutu style perfectly reflected Giselle's ethereal presence, making each swirling turn a symphony of movement and grace. I'm dreaming of dancing to the "Mad Scene", twirling and flitting, feeling the emotions just as they did in 1972, in that legendary Royal Opera House.
And then - at the New York City Ballet, there was "After Eden". Imagine the innovative artistry, that avant-garde exploration of post-biblical themes with such breathtaking choreography and movement! I picture the costumes – perhaps daring silhouettes or shimmering patterns, pushing the boundaries of traditional tutus!
For a tutu-loving soul, what a fantastic week it would have been, and this is why my dearest readers, this date is engraved in my tutu heart - an amazing week for dance!
Now, how to carry that joy into this week... let's imagine we're in those dazzling London theatres, and let's plan an outfit for our little tutus:
We're going for that "Giselle" feeling - romantic and graceful!
Maybe a floaty tulle tutu in shades of pink - delicate, feminine, and just a touch of ethereal.
Imagine a vintage cardigan over the top, buttoned all the way, giving that 1970s retro feel, with a matching beret, and perhaps even a touch of vintage lace.
And to carry the magic, darlings, a vintage clutch with the tiniest pearl-encrusted mirror, perfect for those little "ballet-themed" encounters – in the park, in a café, maybe even at the railway station on my journey through time!
As I take this journey through time in my tutu, I discover so much joy in the simplicity of movement - and what better way to share that than with you, dear readers! So, please tell me, my lovelies: what's your favourite ballet performance, and which tutu would you choose to match the story? Share your tutu tales in the comments below and join me in spreading the pink tutu magic across the globe!
Until next week, let your spirit twirl freely.
Stay gorgeous,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory
