Hello darlings! It's Emma, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday journey through time! Today we're whisking ourselves back to February 13th, 1973. Grab a cuppa, a pink macaroon, and get ready to twirl back to the swinging seventies.
This Tuesday takes me right back to my trip to London last year, where I got to see a delightful performance by the Royal Ballet at the Coliseum. They were doing "Swan Lake", you know, the classic tale of love, betrayal, and lots of dramatic swanning.
Fashion Flashback:
Now, what were the ballet dancers wearing in those days? Let's just say the seventies had a penchant for all things bold and dramatic! The tutus were a far cry from the fluffy, airy romantic tutus you see on stage today. Think big, voluminous, almost flamboyant. Imagine layers and layers of tulle, swirling with each pirouette, just a little bit more… extra, shall we say? The dancers definitely were going for a “look at me!” type of grandness.
Pink Paradise:
Oh, and did I mention pink? In the early seventies, ballet companies like the Royal Ballet were incorporating shades of pink in their costuming with real flourish. A lot of the lead roles like Odette and Odile in "Swan Lake", for example, were outfitted in gorgeous rose-tinted tulle. And pink was not just reserved for the ballerinas - the gentlemen, too, were decked out in bold hues of pink for their tutus, albeit slightly shorter and less, shall we say, “extra”, compared to the ladies. You can find these vintage looks at antique clothing shops - although be careful if you try and wear one out and about, it can be quite a statement! But what's life without a little statement?
London, London:
As for the grand city itself, the mood in London at the time was buzzing! London had just begun construction on a massive new subway network and there was a new, bold energy, a sort of "anything goes" feel. And let's not forget, this was also a decade of change, and those changes were seeping into the ballet world, too. Ballet itself was breaking new ground - a blend of traditional and more contemporary dance styles was becoming commonplace, allowing choreographers to be much more daring and innovative.
Pink and Train Travel:
So, what would I be doing if I was in London on February 13th, 1973, after that incredible "Swan Lake" performance? It's quite likely I would find myself indulging in a bit of quintessential London charm - shopping, tea, and maybe a trip to the Tate Modern to see some revolutionary contemporary art. Perhaps taking a train back home up north through the English countryside - watching the green landscapes flow by in my window seat, is the perfect place for some serious pink tutu planning. What other adventures will my trusty pink tutu lead me to, I wonder?
Sharing The Love:
This week's post is just a taste of what ballet life was like back in the seventies, and I have a feeling I will be revisiting those days again in the coming months! Let me know what you think in the comments - have you ever been to a “Swan Lake" performance? Maybe it even included pink tulle, too?!
Till next Tuesday, keep spreading that pink-tutu love! Don’t forget to check out the rest of www.pink-tutu.com for more tutu stories, tips, and even some fun diy crafts, because a world of pink tulle awaits!
Keep twirling,
Emma
P.S.: I might be posting more about my London adventures and “Swan Lake" experiences in future blog posts. So be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out! It's the perfect time to be talking about the classic ballet of “Swan Lake”, because I have some really exciting news coming up! There’s some serious pink tulle in my future. And that’s all I'm saying for now.
