Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving time-travelling fashionista, Emma, here, back for another #TutuTuesday! Today, we're jetting back to the vibrant 1980s - think big hair, neon colours, and yes, even more fabulous tutus!
Before we delve into the wonderful world of tutus back in the day, let's rewind the clock. I've just whizzed back from a glorious performance at the Bolshoi in Moscow. The energy was electric, the dancing divine, and of course, I snagged the most divine emerald green velvet bolero with a feather trim that I just had to have. You'll be seeing a lot of that in my Instagram feed this week, darlings!
But back to the 1980s… Ah, what a decade for fashion! Let’s just say, we didn’t quite get to the outrageous leg warmers and shoulder pads just yet, but we were certainly getting there. Ballet in the 80s was a whirlwind of innovation and exploration. The dance world was seeing a surge in new choreography and experimental pieces, and the tutu played a key role in that.
Now, on 16th September 1980, we’ve got a very special ballet performance taking place in Paris at the Opéra Garnier. You wouldn't want to miss the world premiere of "La Bayadère", choreographed by the legendary Rudolf Nureyev!
You just know I couldn't resist the trip to see the show. Not only did I catch a glimpse of the most impressive costume designs by Ezio Frigerio (seriously, darling, I've never seen such a stunningly elaborate tutu!), but I also indulged in a divine pastry at Ladurée right afterwards, which is a must for every ballet lover in Paris!
But what's a Tutu Tuesday post without some tutu history, you ask? In the 1980s, tutus were experimenting with bold, new designs! While the traditional tulle skirts were still a favourite, there were plenty of new variations emerging, such as "the layered tutu", where several layers of tulle were used to create a full and voluminous skirt. Imagine the visual spectacle, darlings! This new tutu trend not only added another dimension to the dancer’s movements but it also perfectly complemented the 80s' love for excess.
But hold your tutus, darlings, there's even more! Another innovation we see in the 80s is the "fitted tutu", a close-fitting tutu which showed off the dancer's figure and allowed for more intricate movements. Remember the big moves, the dramatic poses? Well, those require tutus that move with the dancers, not hold them back.
There were some big names on the dance scene during this decade, darlings, who embraced the new tutu trends with gusto. You have legendary dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, and Sylvie Guillem, who all dazzled in these revolutionary tutus. Oh, and I must not forget the amazing Margot Fonteyn!
The 1980s was truly a renaissance for ballet! From bold choreography to new costumes, the era embraced a vibrant energy that spilled into the world of fashion, with bold colours and statement pieces ruling the streets. But remember, darlings, no matter how fashionable the tutu, its purpose always comes back to the dance itself, to express emotion, to tell stories, and of course, to spin!
This week, darlings, my goal is simple. Let’s bring the magic of the 80s to our everyday lives with some tutu inspiration. We might not have neon pink tutus readily available everywhere (although wouldn’t that be fabulous?), but we can still embrace the fun, bold spirit of the decade! Let’s embrace colours and create outfits that tell stories, just like those legendary tutus from the 1980s.
Keep it pink, darlings, and stay tutu-fabulous!
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to my website for more amazing ballet adventures and follow my #TutuTuesday journey every Tuesday! And for all you ballet aficionados out there, share your favourite tutu memories in the comments!
Love,
Emma xx
