#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1981-08-18

Hello darling tutu lovers! It’s Emma here, your time-traveling ballerina blogger, back with another blast from the past, fresh from my latest trip! This week, I’ve whisked myself back to 18th August, 1981. Oh, the glamour, the glitz, the… wait a minute, 1981? Did someone say “big hair” and “shoulder pads?” Because that's where my mind immediately went! But fear not, my dear readers, because even though fashion trends might have gone a bit wild in the 80s, the magic of the tutu remained as vibrant as ever.

So buckle up and let's take a little journey back in time, through the swirling silks and shimmering tulle!

(Here I’m adding in a lovely image of myself twirling in a glorious pink tutu, complete with sparkly headband and feather boa. It’s definitely channeling a touch of 80s glam.)

It wouldn’t be a true #TutuTuesday without a ballet performance, and 18th August, 1981, gave me the absolute delight of catching a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Talk about a glamorous night! Imagine the sparkling chandeliers, the plush velvet seats, the whispers of anticipation... oh, darling, my heart truly skipped a beat!

Now, even though ballet might have been experiencing a golden age, 1981 brought with it some interesting developments in the world of tutus. Let's rewind back to 1948. Yes, you read that right. That’s when the famous French designer Christian Dior introduced the New Look that emphasized the hourglass figure – think full skirts, cinched waists, and, yes, you guessed it… lots and lots of tulle! But fast forward to the 80s, and the tutu scene was changing, as always.

While the classical tutus we know and love still reigned supreme, new interpretations were beginning to take flight. Remember “Flashdance”? The whole idea of the dancer wearing jeans and a ballet outfit, which became a real fashion phenomenon. The rise of modern ballet began to change how designers looked at the traditional tutu. Instead of the fluffy romantic designs, some modern choreographers started experimenting with smaller tutus, asymmetric styles, and even unconventional materials - just think leather, mesh, and maybe even a touch of sequined lycra thrown in for good measure!

Imagine the excitement! New styles, new materials, new movements. This fusion of the classic with the contemporary was creating a whole new wave of expression on the dance floor!

Oh, darling, the tutu selection in the ballet shops I visited on my little trip! I confess, I lost myself in a cloud of tulle, swooning over every single one. (Here I am again, including an image of a fabulous selection of pink tutus, from classical to contemporary. My time travel bag might be slightly bigger than a normal backpack…) Every single colour of the rainbow, with a flurry of ribbons and embellishments... it was truly a wonderland of dancewear!

The amazing thing was that in 1981, ballet was incredibly popular, and everyone seemed to be involved with this captivating art form. Tutus were everywhere - even on the street. And believe me, there wasn't a single frown on anyone's face. Tutus are truly mood lifters!

Think about it. Who doesn't feel more glamorous, graceful, and confident when they're twirling in a tutu? Even if you aren’t a professional dancer, just slip one on, and see the magic for yourself!

There’s a pink tutu out there for everyone. It’s not just for little girls dreaming of sugarplum fairies. It’s about finding the magic of self-expression, confidence and fun, no matter who you are. And you can join the movement – we all know a pink tutu looks amazing on everyone!

#PinkTutuLove

Well, the world of fashion was embracing an exciting trend: the neon color boom! You might have been rocking neon pink, yellow, and green, and for a tutu lover like myself, it’s truly the perfect way to amp up the visual impact! I’m picturing a glorious neon pink tutu, just begging for the spotlight! Imagine the shimmer under the stage lights!

And while you were getting your fix of neon fashion, pop culture was experiencing a revolution. MTV, the iconic music channel, was just starting its reign on the television landscape! With music videos on 24/7, it’s easy to see why fashion, music, and the joy of visual performance were all merging into one brilliant whirlwind.

(Here I add a lovely image of myself wearing a pink tutu, posing in front of a 80s style record store.)

For this fashionista on a mission to spread the love for pink tutus, the future seems full of promise. Imagine pink tutu lovers in every corner of the world! Maybe it's not so much a matter of “if” but “when”? It's just a matter of time, dear readers.

Let’s keep sharing our passion, celebrating ballet and inspiring the world one tutu at a time.

See you all next week for another journey through the history of tutus! Until then, keep twirling!

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

(For the image selection, include vibrant pictures from the era, including fashion and ballet related visuals to give the blogger an authentic vibe and create an eye-catching visual appeal.)