Hey gorgeous ballet bunnies! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, back for another week of delving into the fabulous history of our beloved tutu. Today, we’re taking a trip down memory lane all the way back to 10th March 1981, a date bursting with a heady mix of glam and grit.
As always, I've got my pinkest tutu on, and my trusty Time Travel Trunk (it’s got built-in pockets for tutus – seriously, what a find!) is packed with all the essential 80s gear. We’re stepping into a world of bold colours, feathered headbands and leg warmers that, if we’re being honest, we might want to leave behind – except for those gloriously leg-lengthening leg warmers!
Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane! What’s happening in the world of ballet and beyond?
1981: A year of iconic performances
First off, on this very date, March 10th 1981, in our very own London, The Royal Ballet was doing what they do best, showing the world just what incredible talent we have in Britain! Can you guess what they were performing? It’s none other than Frederick Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée! That’s the French for "The Girl Who Was Badly Guarded". I’m pretty sure we’ve all been that girl in one way or another! Think a bubbly, charming young girl, mischievous but with a heart of gold. A timeless tale of love, deceit, and ultimately, of course, triumph! And what’s better than seeing it performed in London’s exquisite Royal Opera House? Pure, balletic bliss.
Speaking of triumph, Rudolf Nureyev, that dazzling dance icon of the century, was still absolutely mesmerising audiences all around the globe. I swear, that man had an otherworldly kind of magic. And this year saw him dance in Swan Lake in Milan with a certain ballerina called **Sylvie Guillem – who we're all going to hear much more about in future tutu tales, darlings! It must have been the performance of the century! You can just imagine it! The Italian skies alight with the brilliance of their dancing!
Beyond the Stage: A Glimpse at 80s Ballet Style
And let’s not forget the incredible fashion going on behind the scenes of the ballet world! The 80s, oh my, what a time for a fashion-obsessed tutu enthusiast like me! Remember those gloriously high-volume hairdos, and the endless experimentation with colours and textures? We saw everything from bold, neon tutus to elaborate, ruffled masterpieces – we had our pick of the crop, with tulle, silk, and even a touch of lamé being thrown in for good measure. Who could resist that sparkle?
My personal favourite: the leg warmer trend which, my dears, was pure ballet magic! Forget about socks, they weren't good enough for us. We needed the sleek, sleek elegance of stretch Lycra covering those hard-working leg muscles. I mean, the look was just as glamorous on and off the stage, and my own collection of colourful leg warmers has become, like all of my most beloved tutus, a cherished heirloom to be passed down to future generations! (Seriously, they go with everything! From denim jackets to a sweet and pretty tea dress.)
But it’s not all just pink tutus and fluffy feathers, darling! We can't forget the real dancers behind the sparkly sequins and tutus. Back in the 80s, it was a time for bold dance statements. Ballet wasn’t afraid to take risks! New voices and choreographic visions were popping up all over, adding an extra dose of drama to the world of classical ballet. We're talking innovative storytelling, unexpected movements, and even the introduction of "modern ballet", which felt revolutionary at the time, darling! It pushed the boundaries of what ballet could be.
Keeping the tutu magic alive: My own adventures!
Of course, my journey back in time wasn’t all about vintage tutu research, though it’s pretty darn tempting to find myself a bargain on a stunningly retro, 1980s, pink tutu - imagine!
Let’s be honest, ballet is my lifeblood, my inspiration, and my constant source of joy! This past week, I had a fabulous trip to Derbyshire. I felt incredibly nostalgic and re-connected to my roots! After all, I'm a true Derbyshire lass born and bred, just like many a famous ballerina of yesteryear. (Maybe, I'll get round to writing about those beauties someday).
But you know me, darling, I had to bring a touch of pink tutu magic to my hometown! First stop, I took in an enchanting performance at The Chesterfield Playhouse, a beautiful, old, red-brick theatre with real personality, perfect for watching those exciting "modern" ballet performances I’ve told you about. The energy was simply electrifying. The audience was captivated and you could feel their hearts soar along with the dancers! You should check out some of their upcoming shows. * Then, I made sure to pay a visit to the fabulous boutiques on *Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield (and you must follow them on instagram @chatsworthrd). That place was an absolute treasure trove of colourful and stylish clothes, jewellery, gifts... you name it, they had it, and a huge percentage were locally-made! It reminded me so much of the creativity that took London, New York and the world by storm back in the 80s! Oh darling, I even found a gorgeous pink tutu in one of the shops, nestled alongside stunning silk scarves and artisan, vintage jewelry, absolutely perfect for my upcoming adventures!
And yes, I indulged my love for train travel, hopping aboard a gleaming red Northern Rail train (you gotta try it, my darling! You feel so incredibly glamorous and sophisticated on those trains). * It truly is a perfect combination, my dear:* the comfort of the carriage, the rushing landscapes passing by, the rhythmic sound of the train, and you and your latest vintage pink tutu. The only thing missing would be a performance to see later on in a town with a bit more magic!
As always, thank you for joining me on another incredible TutuTuesday. It's a true honour to be on this pink-tutu-infused journey through time with all of you, gorgeous ballet bunnies. I hope I’ve inspired you to take your own fashion journeys back in time – let's embrace the iconic style of the 1980s! Until next Tuesday, keep those twirling spirits high, my darlings! Remember:
*Life's a ballet – just twirl with confidence and colour! *
With lots of love,
Emma
💖 P.S. I’d absolutely love to hear what you thought of the 1980s in ballet - pop your thoughts and comments below!
💖P.P.S. Have a fabulous Tutu Tuesday, darlings. Don't forget to wear your favourite pink tutu today, and take a picture and tag me on instagram @pinktutuemma and on our facebook group: Pink Tutu Posse. It’s always amazing to see all of you embrace the joy of pink! 💖
