Hello my darlings! Emma here, back with another whirl through time in my trusty pink tutu! This week, we're taking a trip back to a very exciting decade for the ballet world - 1980! Can you believe it? Honestly, I could probably spend all day just thinking about those fabulous dancers, the glorious costumes and the electrifying performances!
Now, you know I love tutus and all things ballet, but even I have to admit that the tutus in 1980 were really something else! Think classic and graceful, with just the right amount of romanticism. I’m talking tutus with swirling layers of tulle, often with romantic, floral decorations, and lots of beautiful hand-sewn embellishments. Think delicate beading, charming bows, and oh, the colours! You wouldn’t catch these dancers in boring beige! Imagine rich reds, soft pinks, dazzling golds, and of course, the iconic shades of ivory and white. These tutus really captured the timeless elegance of ballet, didn't they?
Speaking of timeless elegance, on April 15th, 1980, the world was lucky enough to witness a very special performance of "Giselle" at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Now, "Giselle" is one of the most popular and iconic ballets in the world, telling the tragic love story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a prince. It's a beautiful, emotionally powerful performance, and 1980 was a year when it really hit its stride. You can’t really imagine a ballet world without it.
Just thinking about that performance fills me with such joy. Imagine being able to step back in time and watch those graceful ballerinas floating across the stage in their exquisite tutus, each movement expressing pure, untamed passion. Don't you just wish you could teleport back to experience it yourself?
To get us even closer to that 1980 ballet magic, we've got a little fashion treat! Imagine finding yourself in a boutique on Oxford Street, bustling with energy, overflowing with beautiful clothes, with gorgeous window displays. In 1980, you’d have been spoiled for choice. A delicate pink tutu would look oh-so-fabulous with a charming ruffled blouse, a chic fitted jacket, and stylish high heels.
The 1980s saw a fantastic mix of styles for dance wear. Ballerina-inspired looks took over the streets, creating a kind of ‘Romantic' elegance that’s still hugely popular today. Imagine wearing a soft, swirling tutu paired with a beautiful knitted jumper, topped with a classic beret - how effortlessly stylish! We’re talking about a time when fashion was about embracing both the timeless and the trendy, all at the same time! It was a brilliant time for women’s fashion!
But hold on, there's more! As always, we can’t forget about the lovely ladies who bring these tutus to life, the ballet dancers themselves! And oh, my goodness, there were some truly stunning figures leading the dance world back in 1980! Think of Margot Fonteyn, a legendary ballerina with a style as exquisite as her tutus! Her elegance and grace changed the face of ballet and inspired dancers all over the world. And don’t forget the radiant Natalia Makarova. Her performances, full of strength, passion, and undeniable beauty, are still iconic today. She wasn't just a ballerina, she was an absolute force of nature, showing that the ballet world can embrace both grace and raw power.
Of course, what’s a dance blog without a little dance talk? 1980 was a very exciting year for ballet choreography. It's the year when "The Rite of Spring" received a major overhaul with a brand new choreography. A piece which already embodied passion, raw emotion, and primal energy, was suddenly seen in a whole new light.
That's the thing with dance. The choreography is an important part of any story being told, but with those breathtaking tutus, it just becomes a stunning, dazzling story. Don't you agree?
And what is a Tutu Tuesday without a special touch? Today I'm sharing a little piece of 1980's ballet with all of you. Get your lovely tutu ready and find a little space! This one is an absolute gem! (link to dance tutorial - youtube link - in pink, glitter)
Now I’m off to do a little more ballet, but I hope you’re all feeling inspired after our whirlwind trip back to 1980. Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and come back next Tuesday for more Tutu Tuesdays. And, oh, don’t forget - you never know where I'll pop up next! Until then, stay sparkly and wear your tutus with pride!
