Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutus, fashion, and ballet! Today, for post number 7347, we're taking a trip down memory lane – well, actually, I took a trip down memory lane with a quick jaunt in the trusty time machine! You've guessed it – we're doing a bit of Ballet Tutu History!
Today's date is 17th October 1972. Now, you might be wondering what's so special about that particular day in history, apart from the fact that Pink Tutu exists! Well, darlings, this was a very special date for a few reasons. First and foremost, a most iconic and wonderful performance graced the stage of the Royal Opera House, in none other than London – what a fabulous city to be in for a ballet lover like me!
The Royal Ballet presented Frederick Ashton’s masterpiece “The Dream” which is always a truly wonderful production to witness. The beautiful and talented Margot Fonteyn was joined by Rudolf Nureyev – such divine dancing, it had to be seen to be believed! Imagine the drama of a Midsummer Night's Dream in such captivating motion – you just couldn't have asked for a better performance! I was absolutely mesmerised by this production when I went – I just had to catch the train to London to see this show. My parents must have thought I was absolutely mad when I went. I was probably in my early teens. But that is the sheer, joyous, magic of ballet, darling!
So, where do tutus fit in this glorious occasion? Well, “The Dream” featured a whole lot of breathtaking tutus. Let’s be honest – that’s what we love, right?! From delicate, flowy white tulle tutus for the ethereal sprites and fairies to the grand, regal pink tutus of the ladies at the royal court (ooh! *PINK tutus! You just can't beat them!), this production was a real treat for the eyes.
Now, 1972 might not be too long ago, but I do like to get a feel of things by getting dressed for the era – a little fashion investigation of the period! I mean, I have to find something fun and glamorous for my ballet shows, right? After all, one has to find a bit of sparkle in life, darlings! And you can always bet your bottom dollar on me finding a perfect little number. 😉
Let’s look back at fashion in 1972. Now, I can imagine that some of you young things think of this decade as being all bell bottoms and platform shoes with maybe a hint of disco balls. Oh, you lucky things – you weren’t here for the horrors of 1970’s fashion!! You were more than likely blessed to miss that one – but that’s a whole other topic for another day – maybe a whole week of #TutuTuesday posts! I’ve just been doing a bit of a deep dive in the retro fashion magazines. And, believe me darling, *there were some awful outfits on show in those! *
However, on the subject of tutus – let’s rewind to the actual 1972 production we are looking at. The Dream, in the year 1972, saw the return to classic designs for the tutus. And by "classic", I mean that romantic early 20th-century style which I have been waxing lyrical about all this time! And they truly looked the part - beautiful and ethereal! That's just the magic of these wonderful and glorious romantic tutus!
The style itself focused on soft tulle layered on top of layered underskirts to create that wonderful cloud-like effect. It had a little bit of bounce, of course! Ballet and tutus are all about elegance, elegance and graceful movements, you know, which just looks fab and beautiful. It makes for some wonderful and eye-catching choreography when you can really see those wonderful flowing skirts – such delightful dance-ability! And to top it all off? There was a lot of ribbon, lace and sparkly decorations. Just like all the very best tutus in any period, I tell you! The perfect combination of sophistication and beauty, darlings.
But wait, darling. Let’s take it a step further. As a bonus for all of my lovely followers this week, let’s look into this slightly more closely...
Back in 1972, London was really the place to be! After the swinging 60’s (what an exciting era that must have been to be a part of), London fashion took another fabulous turn - just like ballet with its tutu and costume design, really! And it happened that London’s leading Couturier, *Mr. Charles Frederick Worth, created *a range of *divine clothing styles for that very same production we were discussing before. His designs really took center stage in a fashion sense, making sure that the ladies looked *just as fabulous as they danced.
Mr Worth certainly knew what he was doing in his time as leading fashion designer. We can tell, can’t we? He certainly brought back to life those exquisite gowns, with lovely and luxurious fabrics, adorned with all the best jewellery and ribbons we love, darling! And you know what? The trend was so much more* *'Romantic' than it had been for the past few decades – just think of the *tutus and skirts that *swirled gracefully – this style made for beautiful gowns! Absolutely exquisite! You might say that he literally created the dress style *that set the trends for years to come! If you didn’t think ballet tutus and fashion were linked, you are very, very wrong! * It was a great way to bring back that sense of beauty, elegance and glamour! **I love tutus. And Mr Worth – what a brilliant man!
Now darling, don’t forget! You can look out for another fab new post* on *#TutuTuesday, right here on *Pink Tutu every week. I can’t wait for another fabulous fashion/ballet exploration for us next week!
So, I leave you today dreaming of romantic tutus, lovely dancing and fabulous fashion trends – all brought to you by my wonderful time travels around our great city of London.
*Always Remember… *
A Tutu is for Every Occasion 🌸💖🩰
And to our fabulous friends at Pink Tutu, I must ask: what *Tutu Tuesday stories would you love to hear? Do let me know by leaving a little comment below this blog post – your comments, you are just like real fairy dust to me, I just love reading them! *
Emma *
P.S If you really like *The Dream you might want to keep an eye out for a very special version on the 15th and 17th October at The Royal Opera House. Oh, the joys! Now I have some serious time travelling to do for my #TutuTuesday research next week!
I’m off to get my travelling and shopping hat on to see the performance The Dream in full flower! I simply must see it - I’ll even try and wear pink, as befits the wonderful occasion and the occasion of TutuTuesday next week. Don’t you dare forget. And it is just a little bit too much of a coincidence that “The Dream” is playing this year when it was performed so splendidly last year. This is going to be good – the absolute best! * * I’ve already been busy with my new outfit choices to go with my *Pink Tutu. *So very fabulous. That is what I call an *event!*
