Hello lovelies! Emma here, your trusty time-travelling tutu enthusiast, ready to whisk you back in time with another #TutuTuesday post! Today we're swirling into February 3rd, 1981. Put on your dancing shoes, grab a cuppa, and let's take a peek at the tutu world back then.
Now, I’m a huge fan of all things pink and tutu-tastic, so imagine my delight at landing in a world where the colour pink is considered vibrant and fun, not childish or saccharine. Remember the "Powerpuff Girls"? This is the era of "Dynasty" and pink is everywhere. It's amazing how times change!
The early 1980s were bursting with a joyous energy, especially in the ballet world. This was the time of incredible technical prowess, with dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev taking the stage by storm. Talk about inspiring! These gentlemen literally reinvented the idea of "classical ballet" with their phenomenal skills and bold interpretations of traditional pieces. Imagine their costumes - exquisite, detailed, and, of course, perfectly designed for breathtaking leaps and turns.
Now, who remembers the New York City Ballet and "Balanchine"? The man was a genius, and a master at crafting stunning choreography to create an overall captivating and unique visual for ballet. I hear that his ballets often highlighted innovative and creative costume design, which for me meant innovative and creative tutu design, so this is my cup of tea.
Just yesterday, I was at the Royal Opera House in London for a "Swan Lake" performance, where, oh my goodness, the beautiful ballerinas in their flowing tutus just made my heart skip a beat!
Oh, and guess what happened in February 1981! My dear Derbyshire was experiencing an unseasonal snow flurry. I must have travelled to the wrong part of England! (Well, maybe not, this could just be part of a British "normal") but never fear, there's always the joy of theatre in the heart of winter. As an ardent tutu devotee, I would have been thrilled to go to the Savoy Theatre for an amazing evening at the Ballet Theatre Company's production of “Swan Lake" back in 1981. What a beautiful setting to wear a stylish, vibrant tutu to. The London theater is one of my favourite places to be – you’re enveloped in this grand and ancient atmosphere of culture, history, fashion, beauty, and, of course, the art of the beautiful and elegant ballet dancer. It's simply enchanting, don’t you think?
My trusty companion - the London Underground - transported me right into the heart of the West End, which was filled with fabulous fashion boutiques in the days leading up to the 1980s. London's West End always boasts the very best in fashion, and the "Tutu-Queen" that I am wouldn’t be complete without buying at least one lovely little pink, or even white, number at Liberty or Harrods! Back then, you could get your hands on the very latest "looks". The bright colours, the big shoulders, the sharp shapes - it was a time of exuberance in the fashion world and what a beautiful way to express yourself in fashion, whether you’re at the theatre, shopping, or dancing.
Let's talk train travel, another one of my passions! This past week I took the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel - the absolute perfect mode of transport when one wishes to arrive fashionably and on time, especially when travelling from London to Paris. It's like a time-machine! Oh, it would be so fabulous to travel on the railways to my favourite fashion shows around the world in 1981. Oh, to go to Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent - what a feast for my senses that would be!
I also absolutely adore ballet performances in the gorgeous and vibrant Parisian opera house, Palais Garnier - what an amazing spectacle, a beautiful piece of architecture, history and culture that deserves every single accolade for elegance and finesse. This opera house was completed in the 19th century, yet the ballet and opera are performed on stage as though you were at a performance held a century ago in an extravagant time period of opulent and theatrical costume, especially for the ballet dancer. I am captivated by the elegance and precision of the costumes. Every performance that I have seen at this opera house has had such beautiful and interesting details and styles.
Today's Tutu Tuesday trip back in time reminds me to never take fashion, ballet, and especially my beautiful tutu for granted. It's all about the excitement of making your own style, embellishing your look, dancing through life, and putting your own stamp on each new experience - a bit of glitz, glamour and magic. Who knows what incredible styles the future holds in store?
Until next week, remember - put on your pink tutu and dance!
