Hello my lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time traveller! I’m so excited to whisk you back to August 8th, 1972, for another #TutuTuesday journey!
This week I'm taking you on a whirlwind trip to Paris! Now, we all know Paris is synonymous with romance, but for me, it’s all about the fashion, darling. Just picture me gliding through the City of Lights, my pink tulle skirt billowing behind me like a delicate cloud!
But let’s rewind to 1972!
What a wonderful year for dance! The legendary Rudolf Nureyev was starring in "Romeo and Juliet" at the Paris Opera Ballet, and it was absolutely electric. Just imagine the sheer elegance of Nureyev’s movements, and that incredible drama. Pure perfection!
You know, fashion-wise, 1972 was all about bold prints, and that big, bold, beautiful bell bottom look. So imagine pairing a hot pink tutu with some dazzling bell bottoms. Chic, wouldn't you say? And you know me - I love a little bit of colour! Pink is my favourite, of course, but a touch of emerald green or sapphire blue in the 70s was fabulously daring!
This period was also when disco dancing really took off - the beginning of the ultimate glamour era! You can bet that this had a direct impact on dance wear. The vibrant colours, the swirling patterns, and that dazzling stage sparkle? Think glitter bomb fabulousness! Even the men weren't afraid of some flamboyant flair! The whole world was embracing the energy of the stage and dancing into the disco nights.
I remember reading a fantastic magazine article from back then - the one with the picture of Farrah Fawcett with those huge, gorgeous curls? The writer wrote that "Fashion is all about confidence!" Now, that really resonates with me. Ballet tutus - they’re all about confidence, right? We strut, we spin, and we express ourselves, feeling free in those airy layers. They're like a visual poem of movement, pure joy, and utter confidence, wouldn’t you agree?
I even spotted a few exciting trends from back then that I’m going to incorporate into my pink-tutu look for my next performance:
• The Scarf: Imagine a floaty, sheer scarf, cascading down the back of my tutu as I leap through the air - divine! It adds such a whimsical touch to my look.
• The Long Gloves: I'm loving the sleek and elegant vibe of a pair of long gloves! Maybe some lace ones? I picture them gracefully framing my arms as I perform, accentuating the elegance of my movements. It's like adding a little vintage drama to my outfit.
Speaking of vintage trends, let's take a closer look at ballet fashion history:
Before 1972, ballet costumes weren’t nearly as flamboyant as they are now. It was more about practical and functional outfits that wouldn't hinder the dancer’s movements. That is, of course, unless you're talking about a classical ballet. Imagine all those wonderful, traditional tutus made of silk, satin, or tulle. It was the fabric of elegance!
For this particular Tuesday, I wanted to show you how our love of pink and tutus is timeless!
For example, Pink & Tutus was already HUGE in the 1880s! A famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, who lived between 1881-1931, was known for wearing all sorts of fabulous pink tutus.
Even back then, pink represented romance and delicate femininity, which fits right in with the magical and fantastical feeling of ballet.
The classic, white, romantic tutus of ballet haven't lost their magic, but bold colour choices, new styles and bold expressions - I’m so glad these are making their way into the ballet world!
You know, sometimes the greatest fashion statements are the ones that remind us of our true selves - our passion, our spirit, and our ability to dance through life with grace and style. And that's what I strive for every day: a life filled with the freedom of movement, the beauty of art, and the joyful confidence of a pink tutu!
So, my loves, let's keep spreading that pink tutu joy! And don’t forget, we’re all princesses waiting to blossom! See you next week for another pink-tastic journey into the world of Ballet Tutu History!
Yours truly, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
