Hello, my lovely tutu-loving friends! Itâs Emma here, your pink-obsessed, ballet-mad time traveller, bringing you another trip back through the captivating history of tutus. Today we're venturing back to the year 1981, a year of exciting developments in the world of ballet, both on and off the stage. Buckle up, darling, it's time to pirouette back in time!
Oh, my darling, have you got your favourite pink tutu ready? As usual, I am sporting mine with all its frothy layers and pretty pink sparkles. I love it for going to the theatre. But I have been in Derbyshire this time, watching the amazing ballet dancers at the Derby Theatre - it's such a treat to see ballet in its more traditional settings. There's nothing like the feeling of a proper theatre and seeing a great performance in an intimate space. I do love it in London but sometimes you need the feel of history and tradition in these venues, don't you?
Anyway, where was I? Right, 1981⌠I do adore the 80s! The big shoulder pads, the leg warmers - just look at the fabulous outfits from the 80s! The ballet world was all about colour, expression, and pushing boundaries. We've already gone over the big developments of ballet's history; think of the amazing leaps in technology and creativity that led to the fantastic costumes we see today. But there was a definite "new wave" energy going on around 1981. It wasnât just about the fashion â it was about expression, rebellion and freedom.
That reminds me â thereâs this fabulous piece coming up at The Royal Opera House called âStreet Dance: Choreographyâ I've got my tickets already! Apparently it has amazing dancers with fantastic costumes. I love the feeling of the new generation bringing their own vision and styles to dance, with such daring street and theatrical performances. Imagine being at a party with great tunes, lights and amazing performers. Thatâs what I feel street dance is all about, such expressive movement.
So back to 1981... Do you love travelling? It's all about the fashion! I'm getting very excited about my new pink tulle skirt with my long fluffy tutu and lace bodice. Itâs a definite train journey ensemble! Who wants to sit and be comfortable, I want to feel chic while I go back in time to see the wonderful fashion shows at The Dorchester, for the amazing designer Yves Saint Laurent - that will be fabulous, donât you think? Itâs worth going back for this!
1981 - this was also a very exciting time for ballet itself â did you know that the ballet company known as "New York City Ballet" was in full flow. That meant great leaps, new ballets, fabulous tutus and great fashion⌠whatâs not to love? That is why I must visit New York â thatâs next on my time travel list.
Oh and I nearly forgot - this very week there was also another "big deal" in ballet in 1981: Rudolf Nureyev had opened a Ballet school, a magnificent Ballet Academy in his name, right here in the heart of London - "The Rudolf Nureyev Dance Academy" - very glamorous, indeed! It's so cool when you learn something you didnât already know, I mean itâs so exciting that a legend has his name attached to a dance academy, so glamorous and full of dreams, a fabulous legacy to his incredible life in ballet. I hope one day I get the opportunity to visit this school and dance in that same place where Rudolf danced - I imagine that is what I'll be doing when I am time travelling back to this time next week for my next #TutuTuesday.
I can't wait to see what I discover about the world of ballet and fashion from the wonderful world of the early 1980s, that is when I really start to love the story of balletâs history â itâs a wild ride and there are so many big events in the dance world at this time â this was the time when tutu fashion took off! It's a real journey in itself, and as a ballet historian, there are so many stories and people that just demand a good tutu-wielding fashion blogger like me to explore â Itâs exciting and a good thing itâs #TutuTuesday every week so we can all share in the fun! It wouldnât be fair, would it?
Now itâs time for me to take a well-earned break!
Itâs off to the dance studio â I'll have my ballet class and some beautiful ballet shoes on. Donât you feel great when you're in a beautiful dance studio with soft wooden floors, smelling like clean polished wood with mirrors on all the walls, and with other ballet dancers who love ballet too. This is why we love dancing and tutusâŚ
I have one last piece of news! This week it is the most wonderful time for us to see âThe Sleeping Beautyâ - a performance that is just stunning, so much graceful dancing, with incredible choreography, breathtaking scenes, fantastic costumes. and don't forget about the tutus - amazing tutus for all the lovely ballerina dancers in this fabulous storyâŚ
Anyway it's back to the blog next week for my next adventure in ballet history. But it wouldnât be a ballet post if there wasnât a quote â
*"Every ballet is a story; a journey told through movements, emotions, and artistry." * â Emma ( your favourite tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger! )
I am signing off for now!
Catch you next #TutuTuesday, lovelies.
Stay stylish and happy,
Emma xx
