History of Ballet in 1982

Hello, my lovely tutu-loving friends! Emma here, ready to whisk you back in time to the fabulous year of 1982, for another whirl through ballet history! My trusty time travel machine - fuelled by my latest street ballet performance in the heart of Derbyshire - is ready to take us on a magical trip.

So, let’s ditch the worries of the present and shimmy on back to 1982. Remember those big, bouncy 80s hairdos, the neon colours, and the amazing leg warmers? It was a time for bold experimentation and joyous expression – all hallmarks of the beautiful art of ballet, right?!

The year began with a burst of colourful excitement, much like a fresh new ballet season! At the Royal Ballet in London, they had the premiere of "The Dream", a breathtaking interpretation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by choreographer Kenneth MacMillan. Imagine, Shakespeare and ballet, it was an explosion of romance, magic and of course, fantastic tutus!

And for those of you who know me, you’ll know how I simply adore the costumes from The Dream - with its shimmering fabrics, dramatic colour palettes and of course, plenty of sparkling tutus. You’ll be finding those classic pink tulle ones at the back of my wardrobe!

While London was buzzing with ballet bliss, over in the States, the legendary Martha Graham, the pioneer of American modern dance, continued to enthrall audiences. Imagine a bold woman, defying tradition, redefining what it means to move! Martha's story, for me, is just like the story of the tutu. It’s not just about the graceful movements, but the strength, the power, and the incredible stories they can tell.

1982 was also the year I found myself completely captivated by the rise of New York City Ballet’s “Ballet Slapstick.” A glorious mix of the traditional and the funny, this new ballet was a huge hit. The world needs a bit of light-hearted joy, doesn’t it? It reminds us all to embrace life, dance with gusto, and just laugh. After all, laughter is just another form of dance, don’t you think?

But it wasn't just on stage where ballet was making its mark. 1982 also saw the blossoming of a fashion movement that continues to be a huge influence: the “Dancewear as Everydaywear” trend!

This means yes, we were all wearing leggings, leotards, and even our beloved tutus on the streets. What could be better than embracing those soft and feminine materials even when you're running errands or grabbing lunch with your girlfriends? Just picture a parade of tutu-loving ladies, a delightful symphony of swirling skirts. The best part is that, just like ballet, it empowers women to express their individuality, confidence, and of course, a little bit of ballerina flair.

I just love how ballet always comes full circle. It's on the grand stage, then it takes over the fashion world and even makes it onto the street! Who needs runways when we can create our own captivating catwalk moment?

The 1980s, for me, are a golden era, full of inspiration and incredible movement. I feel so connected to those times - a beautiful era where tutus reigned supreme and ballet had its own fabulous fashion moment. And with every dance, with every time travel adventure, I want to bring back that era of inspiration and remind us all to keep our love of dance and of course, our love of PINK bright, bold, and just a bit flamboyant!

Now, until next time my lovelies, go forth and let those tutus twirl, let your passion flow and bring a touch of the ballet magic into your day! Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com, and follow me for even more stories about ballet, tutus, and my time travel adventures. Until then, I'll see you in my next blog!