Hello darlings! Itās your favourite pink tutu wearing time travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, and welcome back to #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! Today we're twirling back in time to 1 October 1974, a date that feels full of energy, a bit like a fouettĆ© en tournant!
This week marks my 7449th post on the ballet history blog. Can you believe it? Iāve travelled across decades, exploring the history of our beloved tutu from its origins to the amazing, innovative creations we see today. And as I always say, what a journey itās been!
Now, for this Tuesday, weāre focusing on a big fashion event - and not a dress rehearsal, mind you - a full on cultural explosion in 1974 that took fashion and, in fact, the world by storm. What could it be? Why, the ever-so-stylish and daring "On the Move" collection by Yves Saint Laurent, which swept through the fashion world like a beautifully choreographed grand jetĆ©! This collection wasnāt just about the clothing, it was about a change in attitude - think energy, movement, and expression all swirling around like a captivating pirouette.
Imagine this: a collection of loose fitting trousers, daring jumpsuits, long silk scarves flowing like a cascade of delicate movements, and, you guessed it, skirts! Lots of flowing skirts - a beautiful reflection of the times and how much more expressive people were becoming. You could even see the inspiration of ballet, the fluid, graceful lines, in these designs. A bit like a ballet dancer in a wonderfully elegant costume, except perhaps with a more modern twist.
And how did this change in attitude land on the runway and eventually hit the streets? 1974 marked a special moment in fashion, darling, as it began to embrace a more fluid, more comfortable look that challenged conventional fashion ideas. We saw a movement away from the rigid styles of the 60s and towards a style that celebrated movement, expression, and individuality, a bit like a soloist in a performance expressing their emotions. This change wasn't just a matter of aesthetics, but also reflected a social change, the changing role of women, a yearning for a bit of liberty and freedom, something akin to a delicate but powerful ballerina taking to the stage with grace and confidence.
Yves Saint Laurent truly understood this, embracing this shift and making it even more appealing. He was a master of observation, taking his cues from everyday life, music, and of course, art. He channeled this inspiration to craft designs that moved freely, a celebration of movement - very much in the spirit of the "On the Move" collection!
Now, this change wasnāt just confined to Parisian catwalks. It started trickling into every aspect of fashion, right down to our darling tutus! The skirts started becoming wider, more whimsical, more exciting! Even ballets were feeling the energy, exploring newer, more daring interpretations of movement and grace. You know me, darlings - I'm all about the tutus - but what's the point of having an elegant, flowing tutu if you can't twirl it, right?
And you can't deny, the designs that started appearing in ballets around 1974 - they're simply mesmerising! Remember "The Sleeping Beauty", "Giselle", and "Swan Lake"? These masterpieces were already beloved for their breathtaking stories and spectacular performances. Now, imagine the tutus in these ballets - more elaborate, more flowing, and with even more vibrant colours and textures, making the stories even more vivid! Imagine it - an explosion of pastel pinks, graceful silk sashes, shimmering silvers - you name it! It was an explosion of pure joy!
Speaking of joy, my travels through time often take me to London - it's where I'm heading today! I'm actually sitting in a lovely compartment in a train speeding past Derbyshire, on my way to the Royal Opera House. Now, imagine the excitement! The thrill of a journey by train, the anticipation of seeing the latest performance... Itās the little things, my darlings! And trust me, London in 1974 is abuzz with activity, with new music, new films, new trends in the air - everything's swirling in a beautiful mix. Just like the latest ballet performances, the air feels electrified, full of excitement and new possibilities, a little bit like my excitement for tutus!
Tonight, the Royal Opera House is presenting a performance of āGiselleā ā always a stunning performance, with the most elegant second act showcasing the wispiness of the tutus for the Wilis. Imagine! So, when I go through that stage door after the performance, I'm going to be checking out those very tutus and seeing what all the fuss is about, and of course, picking up some vintage fashion pieces! Maybe some flowing skirts for myself... a lovely way to make a statement, wouldn't you agree?
Well, darlings, until next week, keep on twirling! It's #TutuTuesday, and as we're about to see the magnificent art form of ballet unfold in a captivating show at the Royal Opera House - remember this: it's the little things that truly matter, from those perfectly cut lines of a tutu, to that stunning pirouette in a show, and those inspiring pieces of vintage fashion found in vintage stores. Every detail can truly spark inspiration! Iāll leave you with one more little nugget of wisdom:
Be yourself, always find your own creative ways to express yourself - just like those pioneering designers who created bold, beautiful fashion pieces back in 1974! Just like a tutu can transform a ballerina, so too can a bit of courage, and some inspiring outfits, transform how we look, how we think, how we move and how we truly connect with ourselves, the world, and most importantly, with each other!
And please donāt forget to come back next Tuesday for another fabulous edition of #TutuTuesday!
Your eternally stylish and passionate ballerina blogger, Emma xxx
