Hello darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, where we celebrate all things tulle and twirls. It's me, Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another fabulous installment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! This week we're twirling back to August 14th, 1979, a date full of sparkle and magic – and we're going to see just how much the ballet world has changed!
(Psst! Don't forget, you can follow my tutu adventures and get a peek behind the curtain of time travel by following my social media links down below!)
Oh, how I love the journey back in time! This time I landed smack-bang in the middle of London – and you'll never guess what? My lucky stars aligned, because tonight was a gala performance at the Royal Opera House, featuring none other than the legendary Margot Fonteyn! Can you believe it?! This is the stuff dreams are made of!
But before we get caught up in the magic of the performance, let's take a peek at the tutus of 1979! Imagine this: I'm gliding through Covent Garden Market, looking for some pretty ribbons for a new tutu design I'm working on, and who do I spot but a lovely little vintage shop brimming with old dance books and costume pieces! Imagine my excitement! It was just like stepping into a time machine – I discovered an actual "Ballet Design and Costume" book from 1964! You wouldn't believe the wonders inside:
The tutus were simply divine! All that lovely tulle, crafted with such skill and attention to detail. There was something so graceful and romantic about them, don't you think? They truly embodied the era's beauty and elegance. They might not be as bold or adventurous as modern designs, but there was a timelessness to them that still makes my heart flutter!
Speaking of romantic, did you know the Swan Lake costumes were revolutionized back then? Forget those long, sweeping romantic tutus of the past! In the early 70s, dancers started wearing much more modern, shorter tutus. Think shorter, lighter, with a focus on showing off the ballerina's graceful movement! Can you imagine the daring? The world was embracing change and it was reflected even in the ballerinas' attire!
Let's not forget those incredible dance shoes! Satin slippers, carefully stitched with silk ribbons, just begging to be twirled upon a gleaming stage. Back then, everything was so delicate and beautiful, making each movement and pirouette a moment of pure artistic expression.
And the makeup? Oh, darling, the makeup! Those gentle flicks of eyeliner, blush softly applied to cheeks – all contributing to that delicate beauty that truly embodied the ballerinas of the era. I must say, the ladies in this time period knew their way around a brush and lipstick.
So, while my travels take me to all sorts of different eras, this period has a special place in my heart. It's a time when ballet costumes were both captivatingly feminine and profoundly elegant. It's like the dance itself – the art is in the subtle, the elegant and the refined!
And now, let's move onto that wonderful gala performance! Imagine it: I'm nestled into a plush velvet seat in the Royal Opera House, feeling the electric atmosphere around me as the lights dim and the curtain rises.
As the orchestra swells, Fonteyn graces the stage in her white, ethereal tutu. She moves with such effortless grace, her every gesture a testament to years of dedication. I could barely breathe, I was so enchanted! Even now, remembering it all makes my heart flutter with admiration. To witness this legend in action was a dream come true.
So you see, darlings, ballet is full of enchanting history! From those romantic tutus of the 1970s to the modern and revolutionary pieces we see today, there's something captivating about every era! Just like you, I am a total fashion fan. Who would have thought time travel could bring together fashion and history, in the most wonderful of ways!
Now, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, I have a mission for you – let's get everyone twirling in a pink tutu this week! Post pictures of yourselves twirling, maybe a ballet-inspired outfit, anything that spreads the joy of dance and sparkly fabrics!
See you next Tuesday for another dose of #TutuTuesday! Don't forget to leave a comment, and share this post with your friends and fellow twirl-enthusiasts!
Until then, keep on twirling!
Love,
Emma xx
(Check out my latest fashion adventures on my social media! Instagram @pinktutuemma, Twitter @EmmaTutu and don’t forget to like my blog page!)
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