Hello dearies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another delve into the captivating world of the ballet tutu! Today, I'm transporting you back to the 7th of December 1982. Can you imagine? Back when everyone was rocking leg warmers and shoulder pads, the music scene was dominated by the likes of Duran Duran and Culture Club, and I, well, I was just a twinkle in my mama's eye!
But here's the thing, darling: tutus were already stealing the show. I'm talking the real ballerinas, the graceful ones twirling on stage, and I mean real twirling, you wouldn't catch them with anything less than a triple pirouette!
And honestly, who wouldn't want to spin like a ballerina, right? The sensation of that billowing tulle, feeling the breeze beneath your tutu as you twirl... It's absolute magic! And that's what I love most about my travels, uncovering the historical evolution of these amazing garments. It's like following the ballet steps of history itself!
So, rewind with me back to 1982, grab yourself a cuppa (perhaps a delicious pink iced tea), and let's get whisked back to a time when tutus were really doing their thing.
What Were We Wearing in 1982?
Okay, so you probably weren't wearing a tutu back in 1982, unless you were one of those blessed souls training at the Royal Ballet School. But that doesn't mean you weren't rocking some incredible fashion. I mean, seriously, who can forget the iconic leg warmers? You wouldn't be caught dead without them. I personally think they're a bit bulky and could make for an ungraceful performance, but then, who am I to judge fashion? And then there's the shoulder pads! Let's be honest, darling, you couldn't go anywhere without adding some volume to your silhouette, and what better way to do that than with those magnificent, statement-making shoulder pads? Honestly, I wouldn't mind a couple of these for my dance practice wardrobe! Maybe it's just my love of dramatic, expressive, theatrical performances coming out in me, eh? The bigger, the better! Let's not forget the leggings too, darling, such a classic and oh so practical choice.
It's also an absolute delight to see the power of the petticoat making an absolute comeback in the modern day, all those gorgeous ruffles. 1982 was a magical era of fabulousness in fashion and an equally magical time for tutus.
The Tutu's Evolution - A History in Brief:
Speaking of tutus, imagine this - back in the mid-1800s, the tutu wasn't even a thing. Ballet dancers were prancing around in heavy, full-length skirts that weren't exactly conducive to dynamic moves! The genius that was Maria Taglioni, an iconic ballerina, decided she'd had enough. "This is all too much!", she declared, ahem quite dramatically, no doubt! So, she went ahead and, in a stroke of revolutionary inspiration, created the very first tutu. I do think I need to visit that point in time just to see this for myself, just so I can picture what those magnificent tulle masterpieces looked like before we went on to wear them!
Now, imagine our modern day tutus, darling, how lightweight and flowy, and how it moves with your every spin. And I can just imagine it billowing all around the stage, giving that little extra wow factor, not to mention, making us feel like absolute princesses! We owe it all to Maria Taglioni. Oh how wonderful it is to learn how it came to be.
The Ballet Tutu Today: Where Fashion Meets Dance
Now, you may be wondering, what exactly was happening on the 7th of December 1982 with the tutu? Let me tell you, there were quite a few tutus strutting their stuff all over the stage.
In London, the Royal Ballet was captivating audiences at the Royal Opera House with their magical production of "Giselle." Can you imagine, darling? Tutus in their element, twirling in the beautiful choreography. Oh, the dream! The tutu was really becoming the ultimate fashion staple in the ballet world!
I love that it's still as relevant today. The ballet tutu really has been such a defining element of the world of ballet and it's easy to see why! It's a timeless piece of sartorial history and it really does manage to encapsulate the spirit and movement of ballet.
It's more than just a costume, darling, it's a masterpiece of artistic creation that adds this magical, ethereal element to performances. Just take a moment to imagine the tutus twirling on the stage at the Bolshoi or the Paris Opera House. You know what I mean? There's this real beauty to be found in seeing the dancers' movements paired with these stunning garments.
I know I've said this before, but you'll just have to see it to understand what I mean. It's simply breathtaking.
The Importance of Being Pink (in a Tutu, of course!)
Okay, let's face it, I'm biased. I love pink! *And, if I can convince you to wear a pink tutu too, then I've really done my job! I've travelled to many timelines in many countries and nothing gives me greater joy than to see everyone embracing their inner princess with a tutu on their day! Now I just want to see every ballet company wearing them, a world in which the dancers *always wear a pink tutu, what a sight that would be! And maybe even design a pink tutu with a petticoat, maybe a ruched pink one that gathers perfectly to create an extraordinary silhouette. Who needs more leg warmers when we have such delightful pieces of fabric to dress us!
It’s time for you all to embrace the pink, darling! You never know, a touch of pink magic might be exactly what you need to feel utterly and completely fabulous! I can’t wait to see you in a pink tutu! And why not pair it with a pink beret, some bright pink shoes (there are so many delightful pink shoes available now!) and add an extravagant bow to the mix. So much to chose from to bring our ballerina vibes and our ultimate pink-ness to the everyday.
If you're inspired to wear a tutu this week, be sure to tag me on Instagram with #PinkTutu and tell me where you found your favourite one!
Catch you next week for another dose of tutu history, darlings!
Yours in Tutu,
Emma
