#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1975-08-19

Hello my gorgeous Tutu-Lovers! It's Emma here, your time-traveling fashionista, back with another #TutuTuesday delve into the fabulous history of the tutu!

Today, I've travelled all the way back to August 19th, 1975 - a date that, although might not seem immediately tutu-tastic, holds a surprising connection to our beloved ballet staple! This time, my adventure took me to the enchanting city of Paris, a place where tutus have always twirled with style and elegance.

Now, I know what you're thinking: what could possibly have happened on a seemingly ordinary day in 1975 that ties into the history of the tutu? Well, dear readers, the answer lies in the realm of fashion. You see, while the world was swaying to the disco beat of Donna Summer and the Bee Gees, the world of high fashion was experiencing a captivating resurgence of ballet inspiration.

It was a year where Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic Chanel designer, used tulle in a truly revolutionary way in his collections, showing the world just how versatile this material could be, beyond the traditional ballet tutu.

And if you’re a real ballet buff - you will be excited to hear about the wonderful events that took place on 19th August, 1975, at The Royal Ballet’s grand opening of the new season at the Royal Opera House in London. I was right there in the front row! Can you imagine?! You can bet the air was filled with a flurry of perfectly-spun tulle and gorgeous costumes - just how I like it! The whole experience, from the opulent atmosphere to the thrilling performance, had me twirling with joy!

Firstly, let's journey back to the roaring twenties and remember that Coco Chanel, a woman I truly admire, was the first to design a short ballet skirt in 1926. And wouldn’t you know it, her creations inspired the fashion trends of the era, ushering in a time where women wanted to express their freedom through clothing. They adopted the ‘garçonne’ look, dressing for comfort and practicality - much like my everyday life when I’m time-traveling!

And the influence of Chanel was not confined to the world of haute couture, dear friends! In the fifties and the sixties, as we all know, a love of fashion was born and grew - with designs of the iconic Christian Dior becoming true expressions of femininity that drew inspiration from the graceful lines of a dancer’s skirt. And it didn't stop there!

In 1959, an important date indeed, we see Cartier-Bresson’s beautiful photo of the famous ballerina, Margot Fonteyn as she takes centre stage, wearing the legendary tutu by Christian Dior for the ballet, “The Lady and the Unicorn” – an image that really showcases the beauty of the tulle. A stunning moment of fashion history captured forever in time.

Now, imagine this scene: The seventies rolled in and, while society might have embraced a bit more of a laid-back approach to fashion, it was the decade that also saw a rebirth of the classical style – a blend of romance and femininity where we started seeing the ballet tutu returning to centre stage in couture and haute couture. This was no doubt inspired by the rise of ballet as an artistic spectacle!

And, as we saw earlier in my Paris adventures, it was in the 1970s, and 1975 specifically, that the iconic designer, Karl Lagerfeld, played a vital role in changing the image of the tutu. He started incorporating this exquisite, romantic symbol into his creations, showcasing the sheer, ethereal quality of tulle.

For example, in 1975, the tutu, inspired by the famous “White Swan” role in Swan Lake, found its way onto Parisian runways through the exquisite Chanel creations, blending a timeless elegance with the modern spirit of the 1970s. And of course, everyone wants a little bit of what’s trendy, don’t they?

It was this reimagination of the tutu, beyond the ballet stage, that truly helped rekindle the world’s fascination with this symbol of grace, elegance and, of course, fashion! Chanel's collection in 1975, and the fashion scene around this time, show that the tutu has always been more than just a piece of dance attire – it's a powerful icon of elegance that reflects and transcends trends, embracing new interpretations, reinventing itself again and again.

But wait! There's more! On August 19th, 1975, an American ballerina was enchanting audiences with her talent. Yes, my lovely tutu-loving friends! 19th August 1975 marked the day the brilliant ballerina Gelsey Kirkland graced the stage with her impressive artistry.

Gelsey was a highly celebrated dancer. A force to be reckoned with in the ballet world. The iconic tutus she wore, designed by the exceptional Barbara Karinska, became a legendary part of ballet history, representing a period of brilliance and innovation in the world of dance.

As I’ve said in earlier blogs – a ballerina on stage without a tutu just doesn’t quite feel right. Tutus have always been an essential part of ballet, and we are so very lucky to have a heritage of incredibly talented women to admire. Gelsey is definitely one of the ones I love to see in the beautiful swirling tutu.

And don’t even get me started on the glorious tutu she wore in ‘Giselle’, or her stunning and dramatic tutu performance in Swan Lake, her swan movements are always utterly enchanting. This was certainly a day where the tutu stood in the limelight, reminding us that ballet history is as rich and full of character as the costumes themselves.

While on this wonderful trip to 1975, I also happened to be browsing in one of Paris’ charming little antique shops, and found a dusty, faded tutu hidden in the back of a trunk! It was beautiful. Made with delicate layers of tulle and adorned with sparkling beads, it was a delightful surprise to stumble across, whispering stories of a bygone era, of ballerina dreams, and the beauty of dance.

Holding this tiny piece of history, I felt like I was transported right back into that glamorous Parisian era of Coco Chanel’s groundbreaking designs, of iconic ballet moments, and of a time when the tutu was a symbol of revolution.

I tucked it away carefully in my travelling case, adding it to my growing collection of tutus, all the while dreaming about finding a perfect outfit to wear it with and wearing it out in Derbyshire at our local theater. Maybe with my favourite floral scarf from my trip to India…

Let’s talk about the present for a moment! Today, I see the tutu as a true symbol of empowerment. From ballet class to the fashion catwalk, the stage and the street, it’s a statement piece – bold, graceful, playful, daring and always with an undeniable dash of magic.

It inspires confidence and embraces a feminine expression. I want to see all the women and little girls I meet sporting a tutu at least once a week. Every woman can be a ballerina! Don’t worry if you haven't done ballet – wear it anyway! Even a little sprinkle of tutu tulle, will give your outfit a fun, girly flair. Don’t be afraid to add a touch of whimsy! Embrace your inner ballerina.

Don’t forget to follow me for more tutu history, fashion inspiration and lots more tutu fun! You can check out the #TutuTuesday posts and the ‘All things tutu’ forum on the www.pink-tutu.com website. You never know what incredible moments and outfits I might discover in my next adventure through time. Until next time, my sweet Tutu-Lovers, keep twirling!

Stay stylish!

Emma

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