Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu wearing ballerina, Emma, back again with another #TutuTuesday! Buckle up buttercups, because today we're hopping back in time to August 10th 1982, a time when shoulder pads were king and the world was buzzing with the sound of...well, more shoulder pads! 😂
Time Travelling with a Pink Tutu
Now, I know what you're thinking - what could possibly be happening in the world of ballet on August 10th, 1982 that's worthy of a trip back in time? Well, darlings, it might not be a major ballet debut, but there are always little treasures to discover, even in the less glamorous corners of history.
My time travel funding this week was thanks to a truly delightful ballet performance at the Royal Opera House. They were showcasing "La Bayadere" a beautiful, intricate story of love, loss, and the power of fate. And I'm not just saying it because of my own love for tutus, but the costumes in this show were absolutely breathtaking! It really had that "I'm on my way to a fancy ball in a fairy tale" vibe, complete with glitzy silks, shimmering embroidery, and of course, magnificent tutus!
A Peek into 1982 - Tututastic History
So, back to August 10th, 1982. What was the world of ballet up to on this particular date? Well, we weren't graced with any groundbreaking debuts, no huge new ballets hitting the stage. BUT, that doesn't mean things weren't busy! Ballet companies all around the globe were getting ready for new seasons, the autumn air was full of anticipation for what new ballets and choreographers would be captivating audiences, and exciting auditions were taking place in all sorts of fascinating places. Imagine the nerves!
For ballet students like me, I bet 10th August 1982 was a busy day at the ballet school, everyone getting ready to kick off the new term. Maybe it was a special open day at the school - think tutus galore and a big show off for the parents!
Speaking of parents, ballet had really started gaining a lot of recognition in 1982, thanks to shows like "Fame," where dance had a really important role. And there's always that thrill of discovering new talents. Imagine discovering a dancer with the potential of someone like Margot Fonteyn, the darling of ballet in her time, or a graceful and elegant ballerina like Sylvie Guillem! You never know who you might bump into when you're waltzing back in time!
Finding the Pink in the Past
Oh, don't get me wrong - I am always on the lookout for a little pink sparkle in the past! A flash of pale pink ballet shoes? A ballerina's fluffy pink wrap? Or maybe a pink ballet slipper being worn to practice? There's always a touch of pink, even if it's a subtle one, and I'm committed to uncovering it for you!
For example, I did find a rather intriguing newspaper article from August 10th, 1982 that talked about the famous British designer, Alexander McQueen. Now, this guy wasn't known for his pink tutus - his fashion style was darker, bolder, edgier. But he was starting out, so maybe he'd already seen some of that tutued ballet magic that influenced him. I'm going to keep digging for some hints of his early career and perhaps a secret fascination with ballet!
Tutu Inspiration from the Past
So, darlings, you might not see a giant pink tutu dancing across a stage in 1982, but the inspiration it has on design, on theatre, on the way we dress and express ourselves - it's all there, just waiting for a pink-tutu-loving time traveller like me to spot it! I find it so exciting, this constant flow of history, always connected, and it shows how deeply rooted our love for the ballet is, no matter when in time you travel.
Until next week, stay glamorous, stay tutuful, and most importantly, never forget - we're all connected by this wonderful world of ballet!
With all the sparkle and fluff,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Ballerina
Don't forget to share your own tutu tales with us on pink-tutu.com ! We love to hear your memories and experiences with this beautiful garment!
(And keep an eye out for my next post, coming right up in #TutuTuesday next week. We'll be taking another time travelling journey to uncover the magical history of the ballet tutu!)
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