Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where all things pink and twirly are celebrated! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and as always, it's #TutuTuesday, which means we're taking a peek back at the fascinating history of ballet's most iconic garment - the tutu!
Now, I'm popping in from the magical world of 1982, a time when shoulder pads were sky high, neon colours were all the rage, and leg warmers were a must-have fashion accessory (just ask your mum, darling!). Of course, I had to slip into something spectacular, so I'm sporting a beautiful hot pink tutu with a layer of shimmering tulle - just the ticket for a trip back to the glorious 80s!
But back to our history lesson. Today, we're talking about the year 1982, and while the world of fashion was experimenting with daring new styles, the world of ballet was embracing a return to the classics. Think romantic ballets like "Giselle" and "Swan Lake", with those exquisitely crafted tutus, shimmering and floating across the stage.
Speaking of the stage, did you know that on the 26th October, 1982, the world premiere of "The Nutcracker" by the San Francisco Ballet took place? A truly magical production, it helped catapult the ballet into the global spotlight! That year, the American Ballet Theatre, one of my all-time favourite companies, also held a special event, a spectacular Gala for the Dance season. It must have been so dazzling to witness those gorgeous tutus swirling across the stage under the spotlight. Oh, how I wish I had a time machine to take me back to experience it myself!
However, my current time-travel adventures are not limited to dancing with the stars. Today I'm spending the afternoon at the gorgeous Victoria and Albert Museum in London, taking in their "The Fabric of Time" exhibition - I simply had to catch a glimpse of those magnificent Victorian garments! Afterwards, it’s onto Covent Garden Market, a veritable haven of unique gifts and goodies! There's a particular antique shop on the corner I love to visit - you never know what vintage gems you'll find. I managed to snag a darling little pink silk handkerchief last week – I think it will look divine tucked into a ballerina bun!
Speaking of the Metropolitan Opera House, it just wouldn't be #TutuTuesday without some talk of what's going on in the world of ballet. This week, the Royal Ballet in London are performing "La Bayadere", one of the great Romantic classics. The story, the music, the costumes – oh, it simply doesn’t get better than this! If you’re looking for an excuse to don a fabulous tutu and dance around the living room, there's no better inspiration than this magnificent production! I hear it features an absolute stunner of a tutu, a magnificent creation of shimmering fabric that will have you swooning. Just the thought makes me want to put on my own tulle and twirl! I'm trying to work it into my busy travel schedule, but until then, I'll be channeling my inner ballerina from my little London flat!
Of course, what would be a true ballet lover's journey through time without indulging in the divine treat of high tea? And London, being the most wonderful city for such a delightful pastime, is home to the best. The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, The Savoy... just imagine sitting there, surrounded by decadent cakes and tea, while listening to the most beautiful stories from a bygone era! Oh, what a lovely dream!
But until I get to whisk you away for a delightful cup of tea and a fascinating history lesson in my time machine, keep on twirling and dreaming of tutus! And don't forget to pop back next Tuesday for more tutu history, fun, and fashion! Until then, let's all keep our eyes peeled for some dazzling inspiration! See you next week, lovelies!
