Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! 💖 It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad ballerina, Emma, here with another #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post. This week, we're whisking ourselves back to 17 July 1979. Buckle up, darlings, because we're heading to the land of ballet brilliance - New York City!
This magical date is significant in the world of tutus, for it’s the opening night of “The Nutcracker” by American Ballet Theatre, performed at the magnificent Metropolitan Opera House! 🎭 Can you imagine? The dazzling spectacle, the twirling ballerinas, and the magic of Tchaikovsky's music swirling around us! And what better way to celebrate the performance than by taking a look at the fabulous history of tutus in this time!
Now, as a time-travelling ballerina, it's a real privilege to see the amazing fashion trends of yesteryear! 💫 1979, dear friends, was a vibrant and exciting time for fashion. Big hair, bold colours and a sense of liberation filled the air! 💅💃🕺
Just imagine this: strolling down 5th Avenue, your big fluffy skirt a vision in pale pink, perfectly coordinating with the bold, geometric patterns on your top. This was the decade of “disco fashion”, full of glitter, feathers and shimmer. Even the ballet world was feeling this playful, energetic trend, with costumes often incorporating splashes of colour and dramatic shapes.
It’s this creative and playful spirit that shines through in ballet during this period. We see an experimentation with form, colour and even incorporating dance styles that break from the rigid structure of classical ballet.
This spirit of liberation was definitely something I saw during my visit to New York, with dancers incorporating a la seconde and a real focus on fluidity in movement - this led to much freer use of fabric in costume, and I could totally see the tutus, those glorious tulle creations, being used in a more freeform way to reflect this move. 🤩
Back to the opening night of "The Nutcracker", darling. Can you imagine the beauty? A dazzling array of tutu variations were likely on show, perhaps a beautiful Romantic tutu on the sugar plum fairy, flowing and graceful, or perhaps the* Spanish Dance* dancers wearing a* Flamenco tutu* with its tiers of frills! And how stunning must the “Russian Dance” look with dancers wearing vibrant, multi-coloured costumes?
And the main attraction? A whole symphony of tutus in every shape, size and shade, bringing the magical story of "The Nutcracker" to life. 🎄 It’s enough to send any ballet-loving girl into a fit of pirouettes!
Of course, my mission on my travels is always to find a little bit of pink! I'm certain the theatre itself was a stunning blend of pink and white, the epitome of ballet elegance! The colours in the decor probably reflected this wonderful blend of vibrant fashion and classical form, giving the sense of being on a glamorous stage. And I am determined to inspire you all to don your very own pink tutus. 😉
Now, as my little time-traveling journey is winding down, I urge you, darlings, to check out any upcoming performances of "The Nutcracker" and see those breathtaking tutus in person. Or even take a trip down memory lane and see some online ballet clips of 1979! The dance of life goes on! And whether it's on stage or just a twirl in your living room, let's make every day a Tutu Tuesday!
Until next time, darlings, keep your tutus on! 🩰 💖
Your loving tutu enthusiast,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
