Hiya darlings!
It's your girl Emma, back from another thrilling trip through time with my trusty pink tutu. This week I’m going all the way back to 1976 - can you believe it? That's practically a whole century ago! But hey, even then, a girl knew her tutus. And today we’re exploring the world of ballet through a distinctly retro lens - so get comfy in your fanciest frocks and grab a cuppa, because we're taking a right old trip down memory lane.
First things first, it’s definitely the age of the power ballad. The likes of ABBA, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees are dominating the airwaves, so my tutu is spinning with disco energy as I hop on a train – can’t beat the comfort and style of those velvet seats - to London for a special treat. The Royal Ballet is putting on “Swan Lake” and let me tell you, it’s an absolute must-see! We're talking the legendary Margot Fonteyn, and Anthony Dowell – talk about graceful! But it's not just the dancing that takes my breath away; the entire atmosphere, the glamorous attire (oh, those feathers and sparkles!), the hush of anticipation before the music starts - it’s simply divine. After the performance, I take a spin around Covent Garden – a veritable paradise for fashion-conscious folk like me, darling! Think flares, bell-bottoms, and tons of suede and velvet, all making me think it’s practically 1920s vintage in here!
I’ve been having a lovely chat with my dear friend Olivia who owns a shop in Harrods, and it turns out that the most fashionable folk in London are getting swept away by a real love for all things feminine, so that means tutus and ruffles! Just the way I like it. Pink tutus and a touch of that disco sparkle, a perfect match. So, it seems like even in a more modern decade, a girl could rock her pink tutu without raising a single eyebrow!
Now, 1976 may not have been a time when a ballet fanatic like me could just waltz through history wearing my pink tutu, but there was still some serious tutu action going down in the world of ballet! Think about the big names of this era – Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova, Gelsey Kirkland. These legends were bringing tutu power to the masses – and the public absolutely lapped it up! And what’s more, these beautiful performances were all about the classics, the elegance and beauty of the tutus, the flowing tulle, the delicate point shoes. Just imagine how absolutely breath-taking the famous tutu scene from “Swan Lake” would’ve looked in its original glory, on stage in 1976 – a breathtaking ballet to say the least!
Talking about beautiful ballet stories – oh, have you heard about Mikhail Baryshnikov, the “divine dancer”, who joined the American Ballet Theatre around this time, adding another fabulous star to the firmament of ballet's brightest talents? The way this man moves, with grace and power, in his classic white tutus – you’ve never seen anything like it.
In a way, it’s fascinating to look back to those days and see how ballet was starting to be adopted by a wider audience – even television! The Royal Ballet would broadcast their ballets for all to see. This sort of access for the ballet lover really opened up a world of dancing for fans of ballet everywhere - making those elegant moves so accessible to so many, and even giving those tutus a moment in the limelight!
Now, back to my 1976 London experience! The big day out here had to be a trip to see a play at the theatre. "Godspell", the iconic musical with a cast including a young and fresh-faced Ian McKellen! Talk about talent! These young, exciting artists would later become some of the biggest names in the industry, and it was so exciting to feel that sense of possibility and change happening, all wrapped up in an eclectic blend of music, fashion, and drama!
But of course, a true Tutu Tuesday needs a touch of historical perspective, darling. This week I have unearthed a fascinating piece of ballet history from 1976. You won't believe this, but a famous ballet dancer called Anna Pavlova, who famously graced the stage in the early 20th century, was in fact the inspiration for the name of a Russian ballet school called the Pavlova Ballet School, in Johannesburg! A bit of ballet history with a global twist!
So, as I make my way back home to Derbyshire with a spring in my step, and a newfound appreciation for the tutus of the 70s, I can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia for this era. From the elegant dance moves of Margot Fonteyn to the theatrical energy of "Godspell," from fashion trends that are just asking to be recreated to the sheer beauty and brilliance of those tutu-clad dancers, 1976 truly offers a glimpse into the fabulousness of times gone by, and just makes me even more grateful for the ever-evolving art and beauty of ballet!
Until next week, darling! Don’t forget, there’s a pink tutu out there for everyone, just waiting to be found! And if you're feeling extra inspired, send me a picture of your latest tutu outfit! Don't forget to check out my Pinterest board for some major tutu inspiration!
And don't forget to visit my blog at www.pink-tutu.com and leave me a comment below about your favourite Tutu Tuesday post.
Lots of love,
Emma xx
