Hey everyone! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on another thrilling journey through time with your favourite pink-clad ballerina. Today's #TutuTuesday is extra special because we're going back to the dazzling decade of the 1970s, the decade that birthed disco fever, flared jeans, and a whole lot of amazing dance moments! Buckle up, buttercup, as we get ready to shimmy our way back to 2nd March, 1976!
My trusty time travel device (it's a secret, but it involves a very large sparkly pink feather boa and a lot of wishful thinking) brought me to New York City, the beating heart of dance in 1976! It's like stepping into a movie! Everywhere you look there are towering skyscrapers, bustling yellow cabs, and stylish ladies strutting their stuff in wide-leg trousers and platforms. The city just throbs with energy, and the buzz of excitement is palpable.
It's the perfect time to be a ballet aficionado. The dance scene is positively bursting with talented dancers and cutting-edge choreography, I just can't help but wish I had been around to experience this moment! The New York City Ballet was flourishing, led by the legendary George Balanchine. This year, in fact, marked the premiere of "Sonatine" – a beautifully elegant ballet for a large company of dancers and a must-see for all those passionate about the art of movement.
Speaking of movement, my wardrobe was a dream come true, too! From bell-bottoms and flowing kaftans to the epitome of '70s flair: platform shoes, the seventies truly allowed for expression through fashion. Oh, and I absolutely had to incorporate a dash of disco in my outfits; I just couldn't resist a pair of shimmering sequined bell-bottoms and a halter top to accentuate that fantastic "disco fever" energy!
Let's take a little detour back to our journey of ballet tutus, shall we? In the 1970s, tutus took a rather bold and daring turn towards modernity! The traditional ballerina silhouette was still around, of course, with its classic multi-layered form and dramatic swishes. However, we started seeing exciting experimental tutus emerge. Imagine a tutu that was shorter, even asymmetric, embracing a fresh and contemporary design. And you bet they had a few sparkles and sequins on them too.
Think bold, dramatic lines. Think layers of chiffon and tulle in vibrant colours like rich blues, yellows and purples – all things that made dancers truly look like they were dancing on air. That’s how bold and daring 1970s tutus were! Even now, when I think of that decade, I feel like there is something wonderfully liberated about the movement, music and of course the tutus.
One thing that makes my heart soar is seeing the iconic '70s tutus still gracefully gliding across the stage in 2023! Choreographers often draw inspiration from past styles and sometimes the '70s tutu makes a fabulous comeback, especially for ballets set during this era.
And let’s be honest – these styles really showcase a dancer's strength and agility. So next time you catch a ballet show and they perform in something that just seems bold and experimental, give a little nod to the pioneering tutus of the '70s!
You know what? To capture the spirit of 1976, I'm hosting a special #PinkTutuParty! Come dressed in your fanciest 1970s style with a pink tutu thrown on, of course! Bring a friend, and let’s shake and shimmy just like they did back then. You’ll find all the details on my website.
Now, you might be wondering: what's with this pink tutu obsession, anyway? Why not another colour? Well, it all started when I was a little girl in Derbyshire, England, surrounded by a beautiful rolling countryside, but all I could think about were the enchanting tutu-wearing ballerinas on stage. When I got older, my passion for pink just became this driving force behind everything I do. Pink, to me, represents joy, fun, and a sprinkle of magic. I simply believe that if you put on a pink tutu, it can spark a little bit of that magic in your heart too!
I’ll be off on another time-hopping adventure next Tuesday, so until then, stay fabulous, stay sparkly, and wear your pink tutus with pride!
Ciao for now, Emma
P.S. I'm always up for new ideas, so if you have any suggestions for my next #TutuTuesday, leave me a comment on my website www.pink-tutu.com. Just promise to keep it sparkly and exciting!
