Hey there, tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your weekly dose of all things tulle, where we journey through history, one fabulous frock at a time.
This Tuesday, we're taking a trip back to 1977, a year that brought us disco fever, punk rock, and, of course, a whole lot of iconic fashion moments! I'm in my new shimmering pink tutu – just think Grease meets The Princess Bride, only way more pink!
Today we're taking a look at the world of the ballet tutu – the epitome of dance fashion.
Paris – The City of Light and the City of Dance
Paris in the seventies, what a sight to behold! You wouldn't believe how stylish the people are. Imagine a Parisian café with its black and white tiled floors, sunlight spilling through a big window, and a group of friends sitting together, laughing and talking, everyone chicly dressed. Now imagine you're there - you would not believe the amount of fabulous people who wear a tutu. Not only ballerinas of course - although, let me tell you, Parisian ballerinas take the prize for style. Think chic, slender, elegant and sophisticated. Parisian style at the time was quite strict so everyone looked great but then along came the tutu - which broke every rule in the book! We saw the Parisian fashion elite sporting them all over town. Maybe they were off to a ballet, but even then a fashion editor sporting a hot pink tutu in the street at midnight after a big show - well, who needs words when you have such a big, fabulous statement piece of clothing?
As you're strolling through the Latin Quarter, the smells of coffee and bread waft up into your nostrils. Maybe a Parisian artist throws open their cafe window, giving you a quick look into their colourful world of paintings.
In Paris, life was never more exciting, not just on the streets but on the ballet stage too. The year is bursting with some pretty amazing theatrical moments. Let's have a little ballet review - I might even see a show - perhaps Roland Petit or even a performance at Opéra National de Paris - where else to watch such a spectacular performance of dance! And as a time traveler I have an advantage: the tickets are much cheaper now! (No, it’s not time travel I use to fund my trips but you see the big performance for this week, now there's a fabulously wealthy philanthropist – what can I say they adore pink tutus. )
1977 and Ballet: More than just Tutu-ific
But you know what? 1977 wasn’t just about glamorous outfits and incredible shows. That year saw real changes, even for the dance world. Ballet companies started to shake things up. Think of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. It’s got this new way of looking at dance - a way where stories and emotions come to the fore! Their energy, movement and dance are phenomenal!
Travel, Ballet, Shopping
Now I’ve just arrived in Paris, which means one thing – a shopping spree! Imagine my excitement. It's been years since I last shopped at Printemps or Galeries Lafayette - they both have an amazing range of fashion from Chanel to Balmain. You could get lost in there for hours! And who wouldn’t want to get lost in such fabulous clothes?! I bet you didn’t know you can find fabulous tutu-esque skirts in these shops - it’s so much fun trying to incorporate a ballet-inspired style into my outfits.
And for someone like me, there's always something about the beauty and grandeur of those iconic Parisian train stations – Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon! Think grand arched windows and that scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with a whisper of diesel smoke - that's just irresistible! It makes me feel like I've just stepped into a film. But here's a secret I can’t keep to myself – if you're wearing a pink tutu, you become the centre of attention. Everyone will look your way and you get an automatic, welcoming smile from everyone you pass – especially if you're on a train, there’s an instant bond with the fellow passengers, so chic!
Where is the Tutu in 1977?
And the question is, where are tutus taking us? It's a year that's been quite groundbreaking when it comes to tutu evolution – but who is going to win my ‘Favourite Tutu of the Year' Award? Who would have thought? It's the dancers in Grease. They wear them in a way that’s stylish but rebellious. The Grease dancers helped popularize tutus – even if the tutu has been somewhat transformed – you've just got to look at the choreography of this dance musical! These dresses are perfect for twirling around, but it's the whole “girl next door” vibe - the pink tutu is both cute but it can make you sassy at the same time - what’s not to love about that! And if there's a big pink tutu, we know Grease is close at hand!
From Derbyshire to Paris
Oh, but let me take you back to my Derbyshire roots. You won't believe the number of dresses and frocks we had. The best part – our local market – well, everyone loved a good vintage fair and a chance to find a bargain. They would all buy the coolest, cheesiest garments you've ever seen! They have such an eclectic array of shops! If you look hard enough, there’s even a dusty tutu that needs to be brought back to life. What I find amazing is the lengths these sellers go to. They make sure every dress or frock is in perfect condition for when they come to sell it at the local vintage markets!
Now this week’s blog is getting longer than my train journey across the English countryside – I think I might just head to Paris for the show. Catch you all soon - let me know what your thoughts on 1977 fashion are and, of course, my favourite – tell me if you've bought yourself a fabulous pink tutu this week.
Love, Emma xo
