Hello my darlings, and welcome back to another week of Tutu Tuesday! As you all know, here at Pink-Tutu.com, we live for tutus, for ballet, for the colour pink, and of course, for travelling through time. This week, our trusty time machine (fuelled by a hearty helping of ballet shoe polish and a particularly glamorous production of Swan Lake) whisked me back to a summery June 29th in 1982.
Now, you all know I’m a true Derbyshire girl at heart. I miss the rolling hills, the quaint villages, and of course, the delicious Bakewell Tarts, but nothing beats travelling the world in search of all things tutu-tastic! So, I thought I'd tell you all about what I discovered during my trip back to the 80s...
Firstly, my dear readers, the tutus were fab! You all know my weakness is for a delicate, wispy tutu, but back in 1982, it was all about bold statements. I'm talking layers upon layers of tulle, colours like magenta and cerulean, and enough sequins to blind you from a mile away! It was like the 80s weren’t content with having everything else oversized – they even had to make the tutus voluminous! Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of sparkle myself (the more the merrier!), but even this Derbyshire girl has her limits.
Of course, the ballet world was as vibrant and captivating as ever! My highlight of the day? Attending a performance of "The Nutcracker" at the esteemed Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I felt like I’d been whisked back into a Christmas fairytale with a little help from Tchaikovsky. Honestly, the performance was magical, with some truly beautiful dancing. The young ballerina playing Clara was enchanting! Now, the tutus in this production weren’t exactly my usual style. It was a much more classic, romantic look. Long, flowing tutus made from beautiful, silk-like fabric that just danced with the performers every move. You see, I might be a huge fan of all things pink and dramatic, but even I can appreciate a well-made, traditional ballet costume!
My adventures didn't stop with the ballet. After all, shopping is a true necessity, wouldn’t you agree? You can never have enough tutus, darling! This week I found myself browsing through some fantastic vintage boutiques. One shop, hidden down a backstreet in Notting Hill, had a collection of vintage ballet shoes that made my heart sing! You see, every true ballerina knows that ballet shoes are more than just shoes, they’re a work of art! The delicate pink satin, the leather soles, the little ties that give them such a graceful and feminine finish. I could practically feel the history emanating from each one! I almost treated myself to a pair, but let’s be honest, a girl’s got to watch her budget when time travelling! 😉
However, I wouldn't leave a trip to London in 1982 without taking in a performance on the West End, right? So, I made my way to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to catch the iconic "Cats"! This was such a unique experience - I even got a sneak peek at a backstage dress rehearsal! I must admit, even this tutu aficionado found those feline-inspired costumes a bit… too bold. Still, the sheer artistry of the performances and the amazing musical numbers certainly impressed me. They just took a whole new approach to costume design – with no shortage of fur, that’s for sure! It's a reminder that creativity has no limits in the wonderful world of the stage!
On my travels back through the ages, I can’t forget to share my adventures beyond London’s iconic streets! On a particularly sunny day, I travelled down to Brighton. Brighton is a quintessential seaside town – and perfect for exploring! I discovered some wonderful shops selling stunning vintage dresses. You could just tell how much care had been poured into each one! And oh my darling, the tutus! They were a delight for the eyes. Bright colours, whimsical designs, and all the charm and fun of the English seaside! I bought a stunning, turquoise vintage tutu with a whimsical floral motif. It reminded me of the beauty and innocence of that golden era! It was certainly a memorable shopping expedition.
I can't leave you without reminding you, my lovelies, that I love pink, I love ballet, and I especially love travelling in a bright pink tutu, all because life's just a little bit more exciting that way! So, let’s embrace our inner ballerinas, let’s twirl into this week with joy, and don't forget to always keep those tutus twirling.
Until next week, my darlings!
Lots of love, Emma 💖
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