Hey gorgeous dancers! It’s your favourite tutu-loving blogger, Emma, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another #TutuTuesday blast from the past!
I just landed back in Derbyshire from a whirlwind trip to New York City! My, oh my, what a city! All that jazz, and the fashion…simply divine! But of course, my real focus was on the ballet. Did you know the New York City Ballet was celebrating their 30th anniversary? Can you imagine a whole 30 years of glorious dancing, all in that iconic New York State Theater?! I saw a fabulous performance of George Balanchine's Jewels. Just dreamy. I felt positively enchanted by the whole thing.
But you know me, I'm never one to just watch – I have to get involved! And wouldn't you know it, they were holding an open class at the School of American Ballet the very next day. You wouldn’t believe how hard they work, but also how much fun they have! I practically leaped out of my tutu and into the barre – the instructors were so encouraging! It's a bit tricky adapting from my trusty London ballet technique, but you have to adapt if you want to learn, don’t you? I may have even snagged some new shoes at the Capezio store on 59th Street. Who can resist a good bargain?
So, before I tell you all about my latest tutus - and let’s be honest, you wouldn’t be here without those! - it’s time for a blast to the past with our beloved tutu timeline.
Today’s date, April 14th, 1981, might not seem momentous, but actually, it was a year of incredible change for ballet, fashion and the world! This is a day for looking back with a knowing smile. So grab your pink tutu, put on a big cup of tea (or a fancy Manhattan – it's practically a requirement in this neck of the woods!), and get ready for a time-travelling tea party.
*(Because, let's be honest, even if it *wasn’t about the fashion and fun, ballet is a total dream)… **
A Tutu Timeline
Let’s rewind to 1981. Remember that decade – all those bold colours and those powerful silhouettes? The tutu went wild in those years. Remember how we started with the iconic Romantic tulle ballet skirts? In those days, the ballet tutus really emphasised romance and dreamy movement – think soft pastels, layers and layers of airy, floating tulle. Imagine delicate flowers, ribbons, and sparkling rhinestones! Think sugar plum fairies with whimsical charm, waltzing on their toes. It was absolutely magic.
But boom – 1981 rolls around and the world’s attention is focused on power. There was this sense of strength and new beginnings everywhere, even in the world of dance! Ballet started getting more and more daring – think bold designs, edgy patterns, and an explosion of movement. Think Mikhalovsky’s Carmen – that tutu with those long, flowing edges and bold embroidery! It’s more than just a dance piece, it's living art in a tutu, and the dancers were definitely bringing it on. It’s not surprising we even started seeing black tutus coming into fashion – powerful and dramatic, but also undeniably elegant at the same time!
But it wasn’t just the stage that embraced bold new design. Ballet fashions for dancers, audiences and even just ordinary girls everywhere were exploding with energy. Look around – the bright colours, the daring cuts! Remember Gloria Estefan’s colourful, high-energy fashion, for example? Now that's some dance inspiration! She was definitely a modern, bold dancer and we embraced it all! So you can see how it was a beautiful match to what was going on in ballet and fashion. And let’s face it - a tutu with a bit of that Miami swagger? You just know it's gonna be good.
Oh, did you catch the latest trends at Harrods? Everything was vibrant and bold! That amazing selection of colourful scarves, and of course those divine bright pink and neon tutus they brought out – so dreamy. I bought two! Even though it felt dangerous it was fun to really push the boundaries and stand out! I felt like a ballerina in a disco. 😉 We were embracing change and having a whole lot of fun! The days of strict pink tutus and classical routines were gone – everyone wanted something different and dramatic. Even the punk movement had it’s foot in the door!
But despite all these exciting new fashions, our timeless ballet tutu always remains elegant. They empower women. There's an indescribable magic that comes with stepping into one of those swirling skirts – a sparkling reminder that anything is possible, that dreams are real, and that even when you feel a little fearful, the magic of beauty and creativity always carries us through! It’s really fascinating how such a seemingly simple garment can speak so loudly to so many people all over the world.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things, it was still pretty standard. We were all focused on what felt classic and traditional but just with a little more of that exciting pizzazz! We can't forget Baryshnikov, right? I mean, the man just made his tutu sing, in every role he took on – I don't think anyone could ever look as elegant in that garment! Just imagine, he revolutionized the whole look and feeling of classical dance with those stunning dynamic poses! He had every single person mesmerized by how he danced - even the Queens and Presidents!
And I can tell you right now - all those fabulous outfits aren't going away anytime soon.
*Fashion Trends never truly go out of style. They just come back with a different, and oh-so-chic, twist! *
If you’ve been searching for inspiration to step out of your comfort zone, then perhaps you just need to go back in time and find a style that really sparks your creativity. Maybe this power and vibrancy from 1981 is just what you need to embrace the bold side of your inner ballerina. I'm going to have to go back in time and dig in those archives. Perhaps 1981 is a year we could all draw inspiration from – a year that truly redefined how we view both ballet and fashion.
Fashion doesn't just follow trends - it also makes them. So don't be afraid to step outside those ordinary* routines! Embrace your *unique style, and make the **magic of fashion and dance your own. And never forget: no matter how your journey unfolds, keep a pink tutu close by!
Stay fabulous and I’ll catch you all next week for another dose of tutu history right here at www.pink-tutu.com. 💕
Love, Emma
(Psst! Did you know that this blog is #7790 – a number of significant meaning. It means I need to visit 7790 more places to discover even more history to share with you! 🙈💕)**
