Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post! I hope this finds you twirling in the joy of the day, because this one is particularly sparkly. This week, Iāve set my time machine to 13th April 1982, and itās oh so glamorous! Let's delve into the tutu timeline together... this weekās blog is a real treat, ladies!
I know you've been eagerly awaiting this post. Ever since I shared my adventures at the 1950s Parisian ballet last week (that feather boa and bouffant was heavenly, wasn't it?), youāve been asking, āWhatās next, Emma? What tutu trends await us?ā And believe me, 1982 was packed with them. It was the peak of the New Romantic movement, a wave of style that swept through the arts and fashion and we see the ripple effects today in ballet, too!
The train ride back in time this week was a hoot, the carriages crammed with Londoners heading to the theatre and that fantastic old-fashioned carriage aroma... oh, how I miss it! I was instantly swept into a world of lace, leg warmers, and more sequins than a disco ball, all swirling about London's West End and its bustling dance studios! Oh, and did I mention, the hair?! It's magnificent. I can already see it... some of you already experimenting with a bit of teased volumeā¦and the side ponytails! The hairspray! So full of confidence, so daring, so chic. I must get a wig from this time, so I can try out those fantastic styles. Oh, to be in those days and not worry about where your roots have grown out. Haha!
I always have a dance party on the train, no one seems to mind. Just thinkā¦ I get to listen to music I wouldnāt normally! Last week was Elvis Costello and the Clash... brilliant! But anyway, today I'm here to talk tutus, and believe me, this was the golden era of romantic and flamboyant tutus. The dance world had become quite serious about neo-classical, athletic pieces, like those by Antony Tudor, but on the big stage, the Tutu was still queen. They were so fluffy!
This week was all about the Romantic, swirling, and dramatic. Think Margot Fonteyn at the pinnacle of her career in 'Giselle' and Rudolf Nureyev, dancing with his heart on his sleeve. Weāre talking a lot of tutus - layers and layers and layers.
Remember Natalia Makarova and the lavish sets she danced in? You should! You *really should.* Her iconic ballerina tutus? All swirling frills, tulle that floated right down to her ankles. Those tutu creations were big, they were fluffy, and they were magnificent, showcasing her dancing talents. Sheās magnificent! A complete Tutu Goddess. Her tutus are still influencing how some of the greatest designers and ballet creators imagine what a tutu could be... she really set the stage.
Oh! My fellow Tutu Twirlers, you have to see a live performance - just make the time! Ballet can truly whisk you away, take you back to the theatre magic, take you away to other worlds, and put you right in those shimmering and enchanting tutus! Youāll experience a world where everyone understands why a tutu needs to be fluffy. Don't worry, I don't want to convince anyone to ditch their jeans... but wouldn't it be amazing if every Tuesday, even just on Tuesdays, we all just swirled a little bit in our own pink tutus? Just think what a sight it would be! You can be confident enough to dance and swirl - we could make it The Biggest Tutu Twirl Party ever!!
And as for shoppingā¦ Itās everything!! Shopping for all the things!! The latest fashions, vintage outfits, and accessories to make every ballerina heart beat faster! Oh my goodness, London! So many beautiful places. Oh, I just know there's an abundance of frills and ruffles - we love ruffles in the tutu world! Let's dive deeper into the fabulous tutues and styles I spotted this week:
The Big Tutus - Those romantic ones with the layers of tulle! Remember 'Swan Lake?' Imagine a big tutu and all the dancers flowing onto the stage? The most elegant tutus in the world!
The Romantic Tutus- Light, feathery tutus with wispy details - a must for 'Giselle' - a real story telling dance, which I *cannot recommend enough.*
The Shorter Tutus - More than a *little more practical than those grand long ones, ideal for leaps, quick footwork, and making an entrance! Just look at a ballet like 'La Sylphide!' - oh, they were stunning. I wonder if the costumes will come back into style?
The Leotards and Leg Warmers: These are everywhere at this time - perfect for warmth, practice, and all those twirls! I have some amazing vintage leg warmers with little ballerina girls, flowers, and ribbons on them... the colours are so striking, even after 35 years. And who could forget the ballerina leotards that are sleek and glamorous?
This trip has really gotten me thinking - maybe the world could use a bit of pink and tutus? If there were a pink tutu to represent the energy, strength, and power of a ballet, how amazing would it look? What a truly uplifting vision of our culture and society! Perhaps we all need to try a bit of this. What do you think? I mean, I am definitely buying myself one of those leotards. I may just start my own *ballet clothing company... * just to give my followers a treat... a treat! Oh... think what a tutu could be - it could be a pink dress, a skirt - it doesnāt matter. As long as there are layers, as long as there is pink and there are frills, who cares! Oh, this is a good one... what shall I do next??
Iāll be right back - next weekā¦ for more #TutuTuesday!
Have a wonderful day. And if youāre not twirling... itās too late!! Oh, I must get that leotard ordered... Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
