Hiya darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme! It's #TutuTuesday, which means we're taking a whirl through history, discovering the enchanting evolution of our beloved ballet attire. And today, my loves, we're taking a time-travelling trip to… 1979!
I know, I know! The seventies were the decade of bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and disco, right? But even with all those crazy fashions, ballet was still going strong, and tutus were a very important part of the show! Imagine, ladies, you wouldn't have to be dressed down just to catch a show. Now that’s my kind of history.
I must confess, my darling readers, this trip had me hopping onto the train in my favourite pink tutu and skipping right into London's bustling theatre scene. 1979? Pure excitement!
Firstly, oh darling, have you seen the fabulous fashion? Bold, vibrant colours everywhere, lots of exciting prints, but not a pink tutu in sight. This just made me all the more determined to share the beauty of my favourite piece of clothing!
So, how were tutus doing back in the day? They were still taking centre stage, but with a twist. This wasn't just the traditional, billowing romantic tutu we see today, though those were definitely around! No, in 1979, choreographers were playing with form, pushing boundaries and giving the tutu a modern edge! Think tighter-fitting, more geometric silhouettes, tutus designed for dynamic leaps, jumps, and daring movements! Think the revolutionary creations of Rudolf Nureyev, a ballet titan, pushing the envelope of tutu design. Now that’s a leap of fashion!
My darling fashionistas, the '70s saw a renewed appreciation for dance in general! I got to see so many thrilling ballet shows that made my toes tap and my heart skip a beat. And while they didn’t all include tutus, many of the stars danced beautifully.
Speaking of stars, what a delight to see Gelsey Kirkland, Margot Fonteyn and Mikhail Baryshnikov! They are some of the true titans of the ballet world, darling. Imagine the stories these dancers have, the places they've travelled. Just like me! The ballet world is incredibly rich, just like our lovely fashion stories.
One special highlight of my 1979 time trip was the opening of The Royal Ballet's Manon, which took my breath away with its beauty and story, featuring a fantastic new tutu for a famous scene. That day, dear readers, I felt so connected to the legacy of dance that I swear, my tutu began to dance a little jig of its own!
And what about London's bustling theatre scene, you ask? It was positively popping! While the pink tutus weren't quite in the shops yet, the scene was vibrant and inspiring. I felt like the city was on the brink of a grand fashion transformation! So I grabbed my little journal and sketched every delightful, colourful, stylish detail I could, hoping one day I'd inspire my own personal fashion revolution. And don't you worry my darlings, it is coming!
Back to the time-travelling adventures… imagine being transported into a theatre with ornate décor and beautiful stage lighting. The atmosphere was magic, making every movement seem even more captivating. It made me think of all the dancers before us who danced on these very stages, a legacy woven into the very fabric of time. The magic was palpable. I must tell you, that magical, vibrant atmosphere still brings back memories, even this far back. How lucky am I that I can go back in time to bring you, my dearest readers, all the wonderful wonders of #TutuTuesday history?
Well, my dears, it's getting late, and my ballet classes start early tomorrow morning! (I'll never not be ready to practice my fouetté or grand jeté ) . I must dash, but I leave you with one little bit of #TutuTuesday inspiration.
Think about the dancers you’ve seen today! Were they wearing tutus? Does that even matter, truly? Because whether they were or weren't, they told stories with their bodies. Remember that darling. Our own bodies are incredible. We’re just starting our own beautiful, inspiring journeys, and no matter what we’re wearing, our own story deserves to be told.
Catch you next Tuesday, my lovelies! Until then, twirl with joy and remember, it's always a good time for a pink tutu!
Love,
Emma
The Pink Tutu
P.S: You know you can share the love of pink tutus with your friends, too, right? Use #TutuTuesday to post a selfie in your own fabulous tutu or tag @PinkTutu on Insta. And never, ever stop dreaming!
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