Hello my lovely tutu-tastic friends! 🩰🎄
This week, as the first snowflakes begin to swirl outside my Derbyshire window (fingers crossed they’re plentiful for Christmas!), I'm taking you all on a festive trip back to 1972! It’s been ages since we stepped back into the past, so put on your dancing shoes, grab a festive cuppa, and let's explore what Christmas ballet was like 50 years ago.
Firstly, a little bit about me! Emma, the girl in the pink tutu (obviously!), and this time it’s not just a colour preference. It’s a mission! You see, I’ve always loved tutus, of all styles. I dream of a world where everyone dances in pink. This year, it’s my Christmas goal – a Pink Tutu Revolution! And with a bit of magical street ballet magic and my secret time travel technique (don’t worry, it’s not a tutu-tastic cauldron bubbling!), I’ll be visiting the ballets of Christmas past and bringing you the hottest fashion and ballet trends from this groovy era!
Let's take a peek behind the Christmas curtain of 1972!The world in 1972 – that’s when The Godfather, Dirty Harry and Cabaret were at the movies! In fashion, flares, platform shoes and hot pants were huge – we’re talking supersized! Ballet was on the move, too.
1972 was a truly groundbreaking year in the world of ballet. That's the year the iconic Mikhail Baryshnikov made his American debut at the New York City Ballet – the whole world of dance was buzzing about it! As for Christmas ballet, it was pretty glamorous. I’d imagine myself with a glass of bubbly and a sparkly frock at one of London's grand Christmas shows! But I don't just like seeing shows. It’s a great inspiration for the new collections I’m creating with the fab designers on my team back in my studio, all crafted in gorgeous tulle, of course!
Now let’s take a look at some of the shows you might have seen during the festive season:
London was THE place for festive ballet fun.
The Royal Ballet: They were at the Royal Opera House, which was adorned with its spectacular Victorian architecture, creating a truly dazzling Christmas scene. Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” was a classic at the time and always a firm favourite, no doubt packed with sparkling tutus, enchanting fairy tales and all the Christmas cheer one could desire! This time of year in the grand surroundings of the Royal Opera House – how splendid!
Other London ballet hotspots in the 1972 Christmas season included:
- The Sadler’s Wells Theatre: A hub of dance, probably staging a selection of dazzling ballet Christmas shows too! Maybe it was a vibrant interpretation of a traditional Christmas story, filled with colourful costumes and a festive sparkle – the Sadler’s Wells Christmas is always special.
- The London Festival Ballet: Always showcasing the most current ballet works of the time, with an exciting selection of both contemporary and classical performances. It's impossible to imagine the costumes! I bet they were sensational!
Imagine a stunning ballet outfit - a short tutu adorned with glitter - that’s what you might have seen back then. Or maybe you’d have admired a gorgeous layered skirt, designed with intricate sequins – that was THE must-have fashion accessory at the time!
I’ve had so much fun discovering all this vintage ballet fashion! I'm already scheming how to incorporate the hottest trends from this fab time – the glitz, the colour, and those wonderful dance shoes, all into my new Christmas tutu line! (Which you can look out for next year - but I'm keeping it a secret!)
Ballet was much more than stage performances back then – it was a cultural moment!Now, who’s ready for a quick ballet-inspired outfit and fashion roundup?
Remember how everyone loved platform shoes? I have the perfect tutu for these! Imagine, a shimmering pink tutu that's so puffy it could give even a 70s platform a run for its money. We’ll add some chic sequin-covered ballet flats for that touch of glam – they just say Christmas!
For a sparkly Christmas soiree, nothing beats a touch of fringe. Think flowing layers of soft tulle with a dusting of shimmering sequins for that true festive feel! A sparkly pink-tutu dress, or a pink satin jacket with the longest fringe on the planet! I’m picturing the girls at this time looking fabulous – like fashion icons, really!
Remember to tell your family that a ballet inspired ensemble for the festive season is the key to feeling utterly fantastic – and let's not forget, the pink tutu, a true symbol of festivity! It's all about having fun, celebrating, and, of course, dazzling!
I can’t wait for our next Christmas time travel adventure next week - we’re going all the way back to 1950 – keep your pink tutu tuned in! Until next time, stay sparkly, stay festive, and may all your dreams come true this Christmas! 💖🩰🎄
Emma, The Pink Tutu Girl
