Hiya lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, back for another fabulous #TutuTuesday journey through time! 🩰💖 Today we're taking a whirl back to 1974, the fabulous year that gave us Abba, disco fever, and a whole new look for the tutu!
My goodness, oh my goodness! I travelled here by train, as usual. The railway carriage was utterly full! Apparently, a strike is causing chaos across the UK - even a pink-tutu-wearing ballerina like myself couldn’t snag a first-class carriage! 🚃 However, I met some fascinating people – a gentleman wearing a cravat! – and they all absolutely loved hearing about my tutu adventures through time!
We are currently whizzing through the 70s, darlings, an era of vibrant energy, bold patterns, and daring designs, and ballet tutus were no exception. While tutus in the previous decade (I do love a good vintage-tutu-treasure-hunt!) might have been all about streamlined silhouettes and pristine fabrics, 70s tutus are a complete explosion of colour and creativity.
So, let’s delve into this wondrous decade of tutus, shall we? I’ve brought along a very special souvenir: a 1974 dance programme from London’s Royal Ballet (don’t you just love the way it says 'ballet' rather than the fancy-pants 'ballet' with an extra e? Makes you want to clap, doesn't it?). It’s an absolute delight, full of glorious photos and enticing details about upcoming performances. I’m going to attend the 'Giselle' show later – this will be so exciting, I’m a huge Giselle fan.
Speaking of Giselle, darlings, the choreography, even though a few decades old at this point, was totally inspiring the 70s' fashion trends in tutu designs! The lightness and flowing movement of the tutu were perfectly reflected in the styles popular on the street, a blend of boho and disco. You’ve got to see the incredible panniers the girls wore, a real throwback to the Regency period, adding dramatic volume! A pannier under a tutu? Absolutely inspired, I’d love to try this with a silk, frilly pink tutu!
So what made tutus in this era stand out from the crowd? Think bold, unconventional styles, like layered skirts in a variety of lengths, giving an airy, flowing feel, something reminiscent of the swishy fabrics the hippies were embracing, so romantic! Tutus began embracing vibrant shades, not just the traditional white, but rich pinks, blues, yellows, and greens. Think a sunflower tutu in a meadow, darlings! You really couldn't ignore it! They even started using patterns on the fabric, which gave tutus such an exciting visual flair! Just think – polka dots on a tutu! Just like Audrey Hepburn's, though in this decade she might wear her tutu with platform shoes rather than a pair of flats!
The tutus even embraced asymmetrical designs, making an even more daring and dramatic statement. Remember Sleeping Beauty? Imagine a ballerina pirouette in an asymmetric tutu and that tiara! So much impact! Think geometric shapes, think daring cuts, and a dash of playful anarchy in the way tutus were worn. This period embraced newness and change. Just imagine, a yellow and red checked tutu? Or even better – stripes! Oh, wouldn’t a stripy pink tutu be divine?! 😍
Of course, the grand jetés, the elegant piqués, and the effortless pirouettes were still as mesmerising as ever, but now they were against a backdrop of tutus with a fresh, daring edge. The spirit of the 70s seeped into the fabric of ballet! I love how a dancer might choose a particular tutu style that complements the theme of the ballet performance, making it such a fun spectacle, wouldn’t you say?
What does my fellow pink-tutu-wearing ballerina friend, Princess Caroline of Monaco, say about all this? In this very year, she made an appearance at the 'Ballet Gala de Paris', looking lovely and elegant in a very sophisticated-looking pale blue tutu. As well as a fabulous gown by Givenchy!
Just wait till I show you photos! I’m going to use these for an inspiration board – perhaps a pink tulle version? It would have the wow-factor, just the thing for a fabulous tea party on the Thames with the other tutu-wearing ballet ladies from my era, or an even more fabulous event in Versailles!
Speaking of Parisian fashion, Paris, like most places in Europe at this time, has such amazing fashion boutiques. We can find exquisite tulle fabrics, lovely silk, ribbons and trimmings from every salon in this fantastic city, from Rue Royale to Boulevard de la Madeleine. This is why Paris is known as la ville des lumières, the city of lights, of course! Parisian fashion has it all, and I’m going to soak up every trend before heading to see that ‘Giselle’ ballet this evening, oh, what fun!
One thing is clear, darlings, even in the midst of change, one thing that’s timeless is the graceful beauty of a tutu. We’ll explore more fabulous tutus as we keep travelling through the decades, so make sure to check back every Tuesday for a new #TutuTuesday post! You’ll find the link at the end of this blog entry. And as usual, you can reach out to me via www.pink-tutu.com. I'd love to see your most glamorous tutu, even if it’s in a photograph.
Oh, how I wish I could wear a tutu every day. A sparkly pink tutu, of course, with an abundance of silk, feathers, and delicate lace... perhaps even a couple of rhinestones! A little flash is a great way to go through life, wouldn’t you say?
Until next week, keep it sassy, stay fab, and remember: a tutu always adds a sprinkle of magic to life. And you can wear it, and embrace all those colours. Be fearless and go out and enjoy the world in a fabulous pink tutu, just like me! 💖🩰
Emma xx
[link to website for #TutuTuesday]
