Welcome back, fellow tutu-lovers! It's me, Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-ologist, ready to whisk you away on another exciting journey through the history of the ballet tutu. Today, we're heading back to a pivotal time in the evolution of the tutu - March 27th, 1979! (Grab your time-travelling tutus, ladies! We're taking a ride on the pink express).
For this week's #TutuTuesday, I thought it would be rather smashing to explore the vibrant, groundbreaking world of ballet in 1979. It was an exciting period! Fashion, choreography, and technique were all evolving rapidly, and it felt as if the world of ballet was about to burst with creativity and flair!
A Fashionable Interlude: What Was In Style?
While I might be biased towards pink, 1979 saw a wide range of fashion colours on stage. Rich, dramatic colours, such as sapphire, emerald green, and crimson, were in vogue, providing an incredible contrast to the dazzling, often white, tutus worn by the ballerinas. Can you imagine? It must have been breathtaking!
You see, I often wonder why everyone doesn't embrace the sheer elegance and whimsical beauty of a tutu. It truly is the most magical garment a ballerina can wear. But let's get back to our fascinating history lesson!
The styles back then? Ah, they were utterly gorgeous! Imagine those beautifully structured, full-bodied, romantic tutus that had a certain, dare I say it, almost historical feel, as if they were lifted straight from the 19th century. I simply adore the elegance of these classic tutus - they truly set a scene for a story to unfold on stage. But if you think those full-length tutus are pretty, let me tell you about the ones that just grazed the dancers' knees, revealing some tantalising glimpses of beautiful, elegant legs. (Goodness, that reminds me of my trip to the opera in Paris last month - there were some exquisite dancers wearing tutus like that. Sigh).
Now, for a bit of historical trivia: do you know what was in fashion around 1979? Well, if you happen to be in Derbyshire like myself, everyone was wearing those absolutely lovely floral dresses and cardigans - I distinctly remember those big, colourful floral prints being all the rage! It felt as if spring had finally blossomed. *Ah, good times! *
Speaking of spring, do you ever notice how dancing en pointe - it truly is like a graceful blossoming in the springtime. Each movement feels light and uplifting. If you're looking for a new and beautiful art form to explore, ballet is definitely for you. Let your imagination take you away on a magical, flowing, graceful journey and you will soon be whirl-whirl-whirling your way around the dance floor in no time!
But now, back to 1979... Remember how those incredible classical ballets like Giselle were given a fresh twist and infused with a contemporary feel? Those revolutionary dancers of the time really knew how to give a modern flair to a traditional ballet, which was all the rage!
From Stage to Street
Remember, it wasn't just on stage that tutus were all the rage. Think about the amazing rise in popularity of 'ballet' inspired clothing! Yes, everyone was wearing these delightfully simple, yet incredibly stylish, leotards and matching tights! Honestly, darling, those ballet-inspired clothes - just think how practical, but fashionable, those beautiful leggings were, perfect for all sorts of activities! (Even today, those little leotards still get a good wear out of me! It truly is my ultimate comfy chic ensemble!)
Oh! My mind is just buzzing with a thought! Why not do an all-day pink tutu themed afternoon tea? Goodness, darling! Imagine that! The very thought is divine! It would be the most charming occasion ever - think of all the divine, pink tutus you could wear to that lovely, tea party. But don't worry if you don't want to take on that particular challenge. Just the thought of wearing a pink tutu, whilst sipping afternoon tea and having a fabulous chat is simply perfect.
And who says we need to stick to traditional colours for a tutu? These days, we are witnessing a magnificent revolution! Let's raise a glass to those fearless artists, those wonderfully daring and brave, fashion revolutionaries! With their vibrant tutus in every colour imaginable - it is all so beautifully freeing. *Just picture a yellow, green, blue, orange, black, brown, grey or purple tutu on a stage! How thrilling! It’s no wonder I feel inspired by this colourful, vibrant and dynamic world, every day!
And this all started on March 27th, 1979. So remember this #TutuTuesday: every time you wear a tutu - don't think of it just as a pretty dress - think of it as a historical treasure, a work of art, a legacy, an object of style that started in 1979! Now you see, there is nothing ordinary about a tutu, not at all! Every tutu tells a unique story, a fascinating and captivating history of its very own! So grab a tutu, dance the day away, and celebrate the remarkable legacy of the ballet tutu.
Remember to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and check back for #TutuTuesday blog posts every week. I simply can't wait to share our next historical adventure in tutus together! Love,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Oh, one more thing! Just imagine what an extraordinary, dazzling spectacle that pink tutu will be on *March 27th, 2025! I am simply thrilled to say that I'm making arrangements for an event, in honour of those inspiring pioneers in the tutu world in 1979, just as we head into a magnificent and beautiful future of the pink tutu! (A truly special event!) But enough of me prattling on, I must off to take a look at those marvellous ballet tickets I just purchased for the Royal Opera House - I cannot wait to see those stunning ballerinas in action! This really is my favourite part of my time-travelling job - I've even saved up to buy myself a magnificent pink silk tutu!
