Hello, my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome to another enchanting #TutuTuesday. Today, we're whisking ourselves back in time, to a summer day in 1981, June the 30th, to be precise. Can you imagine? Tutued-up and ready to twirl with the stars!
As I always say, travelling through time is a fantastic way to explore the fascinating evolution of the ballet tutu. It's like a thrilling story book filled with fluttering fabric and glittering jewels!
Right, this week I decided to travel to the centre of the world, you know, where else could I go?! That's right! Paris! Imagine that - a whirlwind tour of fashion, art, and oh, the ballet! The city is buzzing with creativity. The cafes, the bistros, the boulevards… simply fabulous. Everyone knows that Parisian chic and elegant ballet grace go hand in hand. There is nothing that sparks inspiration more than a romantic Parisian evening and I think everyone is a little more inclined to twirl when they are in France. And don't get me started on the food! I do adore a bit of Gallic charm, you know what I mean? It goes with my style - I've always thought of tutus and my style as utterly divine, wouldn't you agree?
Now, I'm sure you're all dying to hear about my journey into the past. Well, let me tell you, my friends, on this magical 30th of June in 1981, the world of ballet was celebrating something truly special: the return of Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the world's most famous ballet dancers.
Just imagine, folks - Mikhail Baryshnikov! He's like a ballet superstar, dazzling and glamorous. Think Fred Astaire but with ballet slippers! And can we please have a moment of silence to thank that delightful genius, Mr. Baryshnikov, for helping to inspire so many ballet fans ( and me!) in his wonderful ballet performances!
This was a day filled with grace, power, and of course, plenty of tutus, my friends! In that era, ballet was exploding in popularity. It wasn't just for a select few; it was captivating hearts across the globe! People wanted to see the magic of movement, the stories told without words, the breathtaking beauty of each pirouette and plié. And I must say, tutus definitely contributed to the drama, and the visual joy, of the experience.
Now, I can't help but notice that, in 1981, tutus were making a bold statement in the fashion world. They were becoming a huge trend, even outside of the dance world. It's no surprise to see tutus featured in haute couture, in a glamorous music video, or even just worn for a night out on the town!
Of course, a Parisian ballet show isn’t just about the ballet, is it? It's also a fabulous opportunity to display your personal style! Don’t forget the amazing show and the opportunity for some shopping too! Now I know that shopping in 1981 was rather different than it is now but the boutiques were still divine. My absolute must-haves? You already know – the pink tutu is essential! A stylish handbag and my trusty pair of pointy ballet pumps…it is important to never stop looking fashionable in 1981 or at any other time. Now, how is the Queen wearing her tutu today?
But before we dive deeper into the details of that vintage Parisian style lets take a little look back to some tutu history in the early 80s, shall we?
Back in the Day:
Now, my darling readers, you must understand that tutus in the early '80s were all about the voluminous styles, and lots of romantic layered fabrics (it’s true, my lovely, you heard it here first.) Remember the classic ballerinas, dancing on point with their billowing tutus, creating those magical, dream-like movements that made everyone gasp in awe? The tutus were just a beautiful part of that amazing illusion, don't you agree? It's all part of that spellbinding magic that makes ballet so much more than just dancing. It's like a time machine that takes us back to another world…the perfect escapism, if you ask me!
You can find the perfect ballerina tutu to channel your inner prima donna in almost every shade of pink or, indeed, every colour!
I do hope you will take a minute to admire some gorgeous 80's tutu vintage looks from ballet performances. Here are some examples, my darling friends, to inspire your next dance session:
*Tutus for every Occasion: *
• The Romantic Classical Tutu: For those special moments of pure ballet grace, like a grand pas de deux. Imagine the dreamy swirling skirts, floating and swaying like clouds, making those breathtaking movements even more beautiful!
• *The Modern Tutu: *A lighter style of tutu, with some interesting contemporary moves that made the tutu float and fly. Remember all the lovely choreography from that era? A touch more edgy!
• *The Sparkly Tutu: * Just when you thought a tutu couldn’t get any more dazzling, it’s embellished with sparkles! Just imagine, it was a total dream and totally glamorous to wear those sparkly, luxurious pieces. It must have felt so good!
Ballet in a Buzz!
Oh, and I must tell you about all the exciting things happening in the ballet world in 1981 – I know we're going on a bit about our darling Baryshnikov but the whole of 1981 was a spectacular year! The Royal Ballet were doing something amazing. You can tell by the sheer amount of passion for the arts in 1981 and in London especially! And the tutus, my dears, were a delightful part of that fashion scene.
This brings us to the next phase of our #TutuTuesday adventure. Now that I’ve introduced you to 1981 I must take you to the heart of this fashion world. And if we’re talking about fashion, then what could be more fun than a splendid fashion trip! So hop on my train to a dream world of stylish fashion fun - think big sparkles and gorgeous dresses – and let’s dive into those glorious Parisian boutiques and maybe have a look in the wonderful department store of the day!
Oh! My darling friends, where did time go? The fashion, the fun and oh! that beautiful, beautiful, ballet !
That’s it, folks, for our #TutuTuesday today. Join me next week as I continue our ballet journey into the past - it's going to be exciting, my friends! Don’t forget to get that gorgeous tutu out for your own private ballets – just like the ballet stars!
Love you all,
Emma xoxo
