Hello my lovely tutus!
It's Emma here, back with another trip into the world of Ballet Tutu History. This week, I'm travelling all the way back to December 7th, 1976! I absolutely adore time travelling to this decade - the fashion was divine, and tutus were oh so fabulous! And believe me, it was worth the train journey to tell you about what was happening in the world of tutus then!
Now, you might be surprised to learn that tutus, while very popular, were going through some big changes! The romantic, full-blown tutu, you know, the one with yards and yards of tulle that's just bursting with airiness and femininity, was starting to fall a little bit out of fashion for ballet performances. Yes, my lovely tutus, you heard right! But don't panic! This didn't mean the end of the tutu altogether! Instead, things started to get a little… experimental!
You see, ballet companies were exploring new forms of movement, more contemporary dance styles. They wanted tutus that were still beautiful but more flexible and able to move freely, a tutu that wouldn't get in the way of a dancer's acrobatic and expressive moves!
Think of a ballerina pirouetting with ease, or soaring through the air in an effortless grand jeté – a restrictive tutu just wouldn't do!
Now, one of the pioneers of this new tutu style was the phenomenal Rudolf Nureyev, a name synonymous with revolutionary dance. He wasn't just a genius dancer, he was a choreographer and an innovator who loved to push boundaries! He actually even helped develop a new type of tutu made from a softer, more flowing material – goodbye stiff, crinoline-filled tutus, hello freedom of movement!
The style of tutus favoured in ballet performances at this time could best be described as more practical and graceful. Think lighter materials, shorter skirts, and more flexibility. They allowed for more fluidity of movement and didn't impede the grace of the dance itself. There was even talk of dancers sometimes doing their performances without a tutu, preferring just a leotard and tights for those contemporary and modern ballet moves! I couldn't imagine performing in anything but a pink tutu myself, of course!
So, on this very day, December 7th, 1976, imagine the magnificent tutus taking to the stage all over the world! I was lucky enough to see a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow - I just adore travelling by train! The tutus, although more simple, were exquisite and flowed gracefully. Even in a simpler style, they were simply enchanting. It made me fall even deeper in love with the elegance and grace of tutus.
As for what I wore myself, my dearest tutus? Well, on this lovely December day, I've donned my favorite shade of blush pink - I’m all about adding a dash of pink to everything - tutu or not! Imagine me dancing down the platform at Paddington Station in my sparkly pink tutu, everyone smiles and gives me a cheer. I absolutely love a bit of impromptu dance therapy!
What did you wear on December 7th, 1976? Share your story and tell us all about it in the comments! And, don't forget, we are all tutu-tally fabulous! So, what are you waiting for, my lovely tutus? Grab your tutus and get dancing!
Have a wonderfully pink week and remember to #EmbraceTheTutu!
Until next Tuesday, I'm off to chase those dancing dreams, Emma 💕
