Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tulle and twirling!
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for a little trip down memory lane. Today, we're going to be whisking ourselves back to the 23rd of January 1979. This was the day The Who's Quadrophenia soundtrack album, the epic story of young mod culture in 1960s England, was released, just to mention something utterly unconnected to ballet, haha!
This was a time when the tutu was really hitting its stride. There was this incredible movement, a resurgence in interest in classical ballet, and everyone was obsessed with the graceful, flowing lines of a well-crafted tutu. This was the decade of Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, of stunning, powerful male dancers, and Margot Fonteyn, one of the most iconic ballerinas of all time! (Think swan lakes and gorgeous tutus!).
Imagine, dear reader, the glamour of those days! You'd pop down to Covent Garden or the Royal Opera House in a stylish dress and an overcoat, a touch of fur wouldn't go amiss, maybe some vintage touches to give that retro vibe, then take your seats and watch these breathtaking performers take to the stage. It was an event! The world was your stage, and everyone was dressed for the performance. Now I just need to find a dress with the perfect length, haha!
But the tutu was more than just stagewear. Think fashion - tutus in boutiques and on magazine covers! Remember the glorious outfits worn by the girls in Saturday Night Fever? That was the spirit of the day - glamour, high fashion, and a touch of wildness. And let’s not forget those fabulous disco outfits with all that shimmer!
In 1979, tutus were being spotted on the catwalks, in Vogue, in glossy magazines – everywhere! There were beautiful ballerina-inspired fashion trends with soft fabrics, flowing chiffon, and shimmery fabrics everywhere you looked. There was a romantic air about it, an elegant and sophisticated femininity that felt very glamorous and exciting. I remember when I travelled back to this era last week – oh the dresses and shoes I picked up from the charity shop!
Now I understand that the fashion for the ballerina look had been brewing for a while. After all, the romantic era of fashion in the 19th century with frilly crinolines and elaborate gowns made everyone look like a ballerina! That's what they wore back then, my lovelies! Even at court! And I think that's what made ballet tutus so incredibly stylish and feminine, something everyone could relate to! We have all imagined ourselves dancing at the Royal Opera House!
As the seventies ended and the eighties dawned, a new spirit emerged - it was about pushing boundaries. The New Romantic movement burst onto the scene. Think Boy George, Spandau Ballet, and Duran Duran. The tutu had to become a little more edgy, a little less girlie and a bit more punky, a bit more rebellious if you will. So in 1979 - just before we entered the era of leg warmers, leotards and those awesome pink-and-black Adidas trainers that everyone wore – tutus, even with their amazing frou frou, were on the cusp of something very special. We had gone from frilly crinolines to elegant but very chic tutus and were about to launch into something very, very exciting and I'm sure that bright pink tulle will play its part in all of it.
Do join me again next Tuesday as we delve further back into time to uncover the enchanting evolution of the Ballet Tutu. Until then, don’t forget to pop your pink tutu on for the day, **spread the love of dance, and remember the beauty of it all, because life is simply a performance.
I am Emma, your #PinkTutu blogger. Keep dancing!
All the time travelling, dress hunting, and shoe shopping requires funds. Please join me for my next ballet performance next week! If you wish to become a member of The Pink Tutu Club, please follow my blog and follow the link at the bottom of this page
