Hello darlings! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday, this week taking us back to July 10th, 1973.
I must say, darling, this week has had me twirling around with excitement, as I stepped back into the fabulous '70s! Imagine, a time of platform shoes, disco beats, and a fashion scene so daring it could make a ballerina blush!
And believe me, darling, as a ballerina who can't resist a good dance party, this decade's influence on the dance world was just as bright and exciting as a rainbow-sparkled tutu!
Before I dive into the exciting world of tutus, let's have a little peek at what the world was up to back then. Well, imagine:
The King of Rock'n'Roll (you know, Elvis) had passed away the year before, so the world was still feeling that shockwave. Imagine, dear reader, how heartbroken we all must have been!
The Watergate scandal was heating up, a bit like the tension in a perfect pas de deux. Politics and scandals – drama on and off the stage!
And The Great British Summer of 1976 was just around the corner! Imagine, endless sunshine, beautiful weather to stroll through London's charming parks, with your hair tied up in a romantic ballerina bun!
But hold on, darlings! Let's dive into what the tutu scene looked like!
Oh, what a vibrant, colorful scene it was! Classical tutus, like the ones we adore so much, were still going strong. And just like their vibrant history, they were a stunning, timeless classic! You know, the sort of thing you can always trust to be perfectly elegant and sophisticated.
However, darling, we were also in the midst of an exciting explosion of experimental choreography, especially from choreographers like Merce Cunningham! Imagine the thrill, a revolutionary shake-up of classical forms!
These choreographers weren’t afraid to embrace modern materials like jersey and spandex.
The idea of tutus being made out of anything but silk tulle would have been completely outrageous just a few decades prior, but in the ‘70s, darling, it was a revolutionary breath of fresh air.
Remember, darling, it's all about breaking down those traditional boundaries and embracing new possibilities!
Think about it, this innovative shift in choreography went hand-in-hand with a more experimental and daring style of dance itself. Dancers were becoming bolder, moving in more dynamic, daring, and creative ways.
Of course, we cannot forget the iconic look that had everyone (yes, even those who didn't know what a pirouette was!) dancing to the beat. We’re talking about disco!
Yes, dear reader, the 1970s brought disco fever to dance floors everywhere, from the stages of Broadway to our own humble living rooms!
Think about this: those bold, shimmery disco outfits, all those sequins and glitter…they are almost an homage to the glittering costumes that graced the ballet stage!
Oh, darling, don't get me wrong, tutues were absolutely a huge part of this!
Think of it: those flowing skirts, sparkling with sequins, with vibrant, bold colours… that was a truly fantastic fashion statement back then!
It's like the magical intersection of the glitzy stage and the electric streets of the ‘70s – a truly fabulous moment for tutus!
Remember those glittering "Glitter Tutus"? Think of shimmering layers of tulle, covered with a thousand sparkling rhinestones and feathers, flowing on the dance floor… an absolutely breathtaking image!
This was truly a time when a tutu wasn’t just something you wore on stage. They became part of the pop culture, as those shimmering outfits started spilling out from the theatre and onto the streets. It was like the ultimate 'dance fever', a time when tutus made the whole world want to pirouette!
Of course, darling, with any revolutionary change in fashion, it doesn't happen overnight! Classical ballet, especially in Europe, still embraced its time-honoured tradition.
Imagine those beautiful "romantic" tutus, delicate as a whisper of lace. You know the ones, they had soft layers of tulle, that billowed so gracefully with each turn of the dancers' graceful limbs. Those were a staple of this period!
We couldn’t forget “Classical tutus”, with their sleek, graceful lines, designed to showcase the perfect technical artistry of ballerinas. The beauty and elegance were still a breathtaking part of the dance world in this time period.
So, as a fashionable ballerina in her 20s (and a little time-traveling extraordinaire) from Derbyshire, you can say I am truly grateful for these bold trends. This time period allowed for all types of tutus to shine!
The world of ballet had this magnificent explosion of experimentation – a brilliant melting pot where traditional techniques mingled with avant-garde expression! It is what allows the tutu to thrive, as a timeless and modern piece of costume!
Speaking of tutus, I am off on a bit of an adventure, heading back to 1973! Can’t wait to see all those beautiful designs on stage, and I’ll let you know what is new! I will bring back a souvenir. A new tutu, perhaps a little sparkle and glamour for all the little dancers in the future!
Oh, and if you are in Derbyshire today (or on July 10th, 1973, perhaps?) head over to Cromford to experience a touch of ballet magic at the Derbyshire Ballet Association’s Studio!
Well, my lovely friends, don’t forget to embrace the fabulous spirit of the ‘70s. Don’t hesitate to wear your pink tutu everywhere you go! Spread the joy, share the passion, and let your inner ballerina dance free!
Catch you next week, darlings! Until then, may your pirouettes be perfect and your tutus twirl with confidence!
And remember, darlings: Always be fabulous.
Emma,
Your Time-Travelling Ballerina
www.pink-tutu.com