Bonjour, darling tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back again for another exciting Tuesday delve into the world of tutus, the ultimate expression of elegance and whimsy! This week, we're time-travelling back to a fabulously fashionable date: September 11th, 1973! Can you believe it's been almost 50 years since that date? Honestly, time does fly by when you're having fun, don't you think? Especially when you're swirling around in your most magnificent tutu, which for me, is always a lovely shade of pink!
(And before we start, did I tell you about my absolutely smashing new pink tutu? It’s got these delicate sequined flowers that shimmer like magic under the stage lights! Oh, the possibilities! And you know what? If you like pink, then there's no reason why you can't wear it every single day. Seriously. Join the Pink Revolution!)
Anyway, back to 1973! That era was bursting with colourful styles and daring fashions - the era of platform shoes, disco balls, and oh-so-much-fun bell-bottoms. Remember when those flares took over the world? Ah, it was a truly groovy time!
So, where do tutus fit into this fabulous fashion landscape? Well, dear readers, you're in for a real treat because the history of the tutu is jam-packed with wonderful surprises!
You see, back in 1973, tutus were definitely making a statement! You might be thinking "Tutues! Ballet?! Ballet was a bit more classical then, wasn't it?", and you would be absolutely correct. You have to understand that tutus and ballet were an exquisite pairing that resonated in ways we only now truly understand. Ballet wasn't the massive craze that it is now, but we were at the cusp of major change. A whole generation of young, creative dancers, ballerinas and designers were going to change ballet forever. It would become almost cool. (And who wants to miss a ballet show - there's the amazing theatre with stunning decorations, those wonderful gowns and of course the dancing. What a combination for a stylish day out).
And so, if we're talking tutus, 1973 brought some seriously iconic ballet performances. Imagine this - Margot Fonteyn gracing the stage in "Giselle" with a cloud-like white tutu (and of course, an exquisitely embroidered bodice that probably cost more than my flat).
There was a certain level of theatricality and a captivating energy that flowed throughout the performances and, you guessed it, tutus played a HUGE part in this! Imagine the stage in front of you and then... poof, this wonderful billowing white fabric catches the lights. A tutu has to work both in the air and on the ground. If you think ballet isn't dramatic - I promise, that's never been truer, but we will come back to that later.
This era was also a significant one for fashion designers. Remember when Coco Chanel reigned supreme? But Karl Lagerfeld was beginning to change everything for the Chanel brand. This led to tutus appearing in high-end fashion as well - which is where tutus made a HUGE impact on street fashion. Yes, that's right!
There are plenty of great dance stories, even in a relatively quiet year.
For example:
* September 11th, 1973, marked a special moment for dance as a 23-year-old dancer, Rudolf Nureyev, a superstar from the time, made a major comeback! It was the day he starred as the title character in the legendary ballet Romeo and Juliet *. Imagine a dancer that was adored by fans around the world. Just picture him, in an embroidered white tutu. How fabulous!
* But wait there's more... this date also marked the debut of a brilliant piece from *Twyla Tharp called "The Bixby Knights". This innovative ballet combined contemporary elements with classical ballet steps. This piece went on to become a big success!
* We must never forget the power of dance. The Royal Ballet, with the beautiful costumes that are usually so glamorous (tutues! ), will put on The Sleeping Beauty
So, if we think about the significance of ballet during this time period, it was an amazing combination of glamour and style - and a fabulous tribute to those legendary dancers and the choreographers that brought their visions to life!
As you can see, 1973 was a phenomenal year for dance! From Fonteyn's majestic grace in Giselle to Nureyev's electrifying performance in Romeo and Juliet, we can learn from history so we can enjoy today!
If you're ready to learn even more about tutus and ballet, be sure to subscribe to this fabulous blog and I promise to fill your feed with fascinating ballet and tutu history every Tuesday.
Happy dancing and happy shopping, darling readers!
Until next time, be sure to find the cutest, most fab pink tutu! I’ll be in the market soon.
Remember: Tutus for everyone! You don't need to be a ballerina to feel wonderful in a tutu. It's time to wear those fabulous dresses every day!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. Do you have any fascinating facts or personal tutu stories from the past you want to share? Don’t be shy - please tell me!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #FashionHistory #PinkTutus #TutusForAll #pinkrevolution #pinkisthebestcolor
