Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday post! This week, we're taking a trip back to 1973-05-29!
Today's a real special day in the tutu timeline, so put on your dancing shoes, grab a cuppa and let's go!
Before we step back into history, just a quick thank you for all your wonderful comments last week about my last post. So many of you love pink, and you know what? I can't blame you! It’s the most fabulous colour and looks absolutely divine with a tutu! I’ve been taking all your fashion tips to heart - and guess what, you’ve inspired me to try some new things in my next performance! 😉
Right, let’s dive into the tutu chronicles!
What's Going On in the World of Ballet in 1973?
In 1973, the world of ballet was alive and kicking with talent and innovation! From London to New York and everywhere in between, ballet companies were pushing boundaries and captivating audiences. It was the golden age of ballerinas – you can really feel the excitement!
I love this era because you see these strong women pushing boundaries and showing what they are capable of – which is something that still makes me feel giddy to this day. Imagine all those elegant movements and beautiful, delicate tutus. I’m getting all flustered just thinking about it!
So what was hot in 1973?
The Royal Ballet, here in good ol’ England, was on top form. This date marks the opening of “The Sleeping Beauty" in the Royal Opera House, and it’s just wonderful – pure ballet magic! And for all you keen beakers, just imagine – I got to be there on the first night! A bit of a shock to see how long my fellow dancers worked before the final bow - it really gave me an appreciation for all the hard work! And a whole new respect for the delicate fabrics and the amazing skill they have crafting tutus - a delicate, yet incredibly intricate form of fashion.
Over the pond in New York, there was a fabulous new performance in the offing – "The Prodigal Son". This ballet was, if I’m being completely honest, very avant-garde at the time, especially for a piece about the trials of adolescence. It definitely makes me think of modern pieces now which explore the emotions of the human condition - oh and the costuming! Just divine! I actually picked up a new, gorgeous, vintage tutu from the New York Ballet store a few weeks ago, I’ve got a few ideas already as to how to style it up! But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, the time-traveling tutu lady does love her fashion! And if I do say so myself, we really do know how to wear a tutu in style!
You know, for a girl from Derbyshire, life can get quite intense in my day-to-day – a busy schedule of shopping, attending performances, planning for my next travels and even trying to keep my vintage ballet wear collection in tip-top shape is quite demanding, but that’s why I’ve got this #TutuTuesday series! I’ve loved creating this whole journey so you can hear my little bits and pieces about fashion, travel and all things ballet!
Fashion, Fashion, Fashion! 💅💄
Remember this was the era of groovy outfits and a dash of sparkle! In 1973, we saw the peak of this glorious era – it was an exciting, stylish time. I just adore 70's fashion! The amazing platform shoes, flared trousers and even the glamorous evening gowns. They give off a sense of power, just like the graceful movements in the ballet world. Speaking of tutus, there was a new development, a special ballet tutu that’s been a favourite ever since. We call it the "romantic tutu" – all about the tulle, baby!
I'll admit it, this romantic tutu was an absolutely divine breakthrough for the ballet world – they were made of lots of layers of fine tulle and that added all the magical fluttering effect - it was the perfect silhouette to capture movement and just magical on stage! Even today you see these styles recreated for both contemporary and classical ballet pieces – they never lose their allure and can still be dressed up or down! A beautiful, elegant design with all that movement - absolutely mesmerising!
And what are we going to do about 1970's colour trends? Oh how I do love 1970's colours! We’re all about those earth tones, think warm browns, olive greens, terracotta, but we can’t leave out the glorious, elegant blush pinks – you already know where my heart is at!
Time Traveling to the Ballet Performance
Now my dearest darlings, if you have a spare £15 to spare, take a leap into a time machine with me and take a trip back to 1973. I'll treat you to an evening at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden, oh and you can also witness a magical new style of ballet! It is the peak of the Romantic tutu era – and the dresses are absolutely exquisite!
I’ve just got one more thing I’m itching to share before I finish this #TutuTuesday.
On 1973-05-29 we had a very special performance for you. In that very moment, we had our incredible Rudolf Nureyev dancing with the English National Ballet – they really turned heads. Imagine watching him on stage - the most mesmerizing movements – the audience is on the edge of their seats, and all eyes are on this beautiful dancer! Such powerful grace and poise and absolutely spellbinding energy and movements – It's hard not to feel the pure magic and elegance he brings to each performance! And with all of his moves, the tutu swirls so delicately around his ankles - and just a few moments later, it disappears into thin air again. I’m always captivated by this form of dance! A graceful ballet with exquisite costuming and movements – what else can I say?
This time travel was amazing and if you think I’m going to just leave this post at that? Not a chance! We need to do a bit more celebrating. It is, after all, #TutuTuesday! Let’s have some fun, darlings, grab your tulle, grab some pink fabric and let's whip up a bit of ballet magic! Here are a few ideas, just for you – perfect for your day.
- Get Tutu-licious: Whip up your favourite tutu in a fabulous, romantic pink – this is perfect for a fun dance night with your friends, why not create a special choreographed piece and let's do it with flair? A tutu is a little piece of ballet heaven – it's fun and girly, let's all embrace the ballet look and share our fabulous style on social media using #TutuTuesday - Let’s bring back the ballet vibe and see all the pretty tutus - I’ve already picked out my pink!
- Ballet Inspiration: Check out a local ballet show or watch a movie at home – so many wonderful ballet films have been made. This can be a great family activity as well. The joy and passion from all of the dancers is amazing and it’s wonderful to be surrounded by this incredible passion!
- Tutu Transformation: Go shopping, look for that beautiful, dreamy tutu or even add a pink tutu to your dress to bring out that ballerina in you. Add a hint of sparkle or glam for a night out – just remember it’s all about finding what makes you feel amazing, darling!
Have fun and I’ll be seeing you soon, darlings. Be sure to follow my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com and tag me in all your fabulous pink outfits using #TutuTuesday – we need to be ready to spread the Tutu Love!💖🩰✨
And one final thing before I head back to my world, darling! I am still looking for people to come with me on my travels – just think of the fantastic new discoveries, and we get to share this whole journey together! What do you say, lovelies? Ready to grab your bags and head to the station?
Until next week!
Love, Emma xx
