Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller and all things ballet enthusiast. Welcome to #TutuTuesday, blog post number 7830! Every week we travel through the tapestry of history, stopping to admire the glorious evolution of the tutu - a dancewear masterpiece!
Today, my lovelies, we're stepping back in time to the fabulously 80s, specifically the 19th of January, 1982. I’ve just popped off the Orient Express, where they, oddly enough, did not have pink tutus. 🤫 What can I say, there's still much work to be done to spread the tutu gospel!
The 80s - A Decade of Dance & … Spandex?!
- A year of neon colours, big hair, and… strangely, a little bit of ballet. Imagine that! 😉 The 80s were a time of creative expression and dance certainly played a part in it. I hear this era saw the emergence of many new styles like jazz and contemporary dance – which while fun, aren't exactly tutu-friendly. But hey, we can't have it all!
Imagine me, in a vibrant pink tulle masterpiece with puffed sleeves and sparkly accents, watching "42nd Street" at the Winter Garden Theatre. It was a musical sensation – talk about a good time! Can you imagine the sparkle on those stages? That’s what I love about this period.
The Fashion – Big & Bold (With a Dash of Tutu!)
Of course, my favourite part of stepping back in time is experiencing the fashion scene! The 80s had it all. Think shoulder pads the size of a small suitcase (oh, how I wish I could've brought some home!), bold patterns, and an outrageous amount of colour.
The big thing in balletwear was this new material – Lycra – a revolutionary stretch fabric, they called it. And who says practicality and style can’t mix?! Now, it wasn’t exactly as exciting as my pink tulle, but it offered an interesting kind of…freedom. For those daring dancers. 😉
And you know me! I always like to inject a little tutu inspiration into everything. Even on our travels through the 80s! Just picture it – a vibrant pink tulle masterpiece peeking out beneath a neon-colored, high-waisted skirt. Don't you feel your inner ballerina just itching to twirl?! It’s truly a timeless fashion statement!
Tutu History Bites: The Rise of the Romantic Tutu
Speaking of history, this period, the early 1980s, marks the end of one era of dance and fashion – and the start of a brand new chapter! Imagine tutus, with longer and more voluminous skirts – think Victorian romance meets elegant dance. This romantic look became the “must have” on the stage, capturing the essence of graceful, elegant beauty. And it just screams for pink, doesn't it?!
Now, while these earlier styles were amazing (and who wouldn't love to take a spin in a beautiful tulle dream?) they weren’t exactly the kind of moveable tutus that ballerinas needed.
This period saw a dramatic shift, though. Balletwear needed to change, because so did dance itself! Those ballerinas had a whole lot of spins, leaps, and kicks that needed space. And this era saw a bit of a tutu revolution. Think more versatile, easier to move in tutus! Even if the fashion didn’t quite match up to my fabulous pink! 😉
Time Travel Trivia - What is special about this date?
So you think you know your tutu trivia? Well, let's see! What momentous ballet event occurred on 19th of January 1982?
…. Drumroll….
This is the date that legendary choreographer George Balanchine died. It’s a bit bittersweet! George, with his groundbreaking creations, made some iconic ballets like The Firebird and Jewels. He really was a visionary when it came to choreography. So today, as we take a little trip down memory lane, we pay tribute to him, a true titan of ballet history!
Where Next on the Tutu Timeline?
Remember, my dear tutu enthusiasts! There is so much more to explore. Every week, we'll discover exciting stories, breathtaking fashion, and unforgettable moments of ballet history together! Be sure to tell your friends all about it and share your love for the ballet and tutus – after all, they're the perfect companion for every adventure.
Oh! I also have another treat for you. Next week, I’ll be journeying back to another fantastic time in history to reveal another tutu tale. Can you guess what it will be? Drop a comment and tell me what year or historical figure you’d like me to travel back and see! We might even bump into one another on our way!
Now off I trot, to try on more magnificent tutus and plot our next trip through the annals of time! Keep twirling, darlings!
Love, Emma
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #PinkTutuQueen #TimeTravelingBalletFan #80sFashion