#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1983-04-12

Hey my gorgeous little tutus! Emma here, back again for another exciting edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. This week, we're taking a little trip back in time, all the way to 1983-04-12! Can you believe it? So grab a cuppa, pull on your fanciest tutu (pink, of course!) and let's dive into some fabulous history.

This post marks number 7894 on my www.pink-tutu.com website. I am loving travelling back through time sharing this tutu knowledge with you all, discovering these fabulous fashion pieces, travelling on my time machine, (I get to choose a station from my favourite train lines to get to different times, it's a proper posh time machine), seeing incredible ballets, going to London to go shopping and performing in incredible ballets myself. It really is the life, and you know what? I would not change it for the world. Now, back to our topic!

Okay, darlings, think 1983! Let's talk fashion! It was all about shoulder pads, leggings (yes, leggings!), bright colours and lots of accessories. We’re talking leg warmers, jazzy earrings and huge, fantastic hair. The more colourful the better!

On this very day, 12th April 1983, the world was witnessing a truly amazing fashion moment. This date happened to be the London opening night for “Cats”, the iconic musical based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats". Can you believe? I must've seen this show over 100 times since it's opened. Such iconic costumes and dance pieces. This whole show was and is truly legendary!

Now, "Cats" had some truly magnificent, flamboyant, fabulous costumes that showcased a lot of those trends we discussed! Think leg warmers, fluffy boots, colourful leotards. It was all about pushing boundaries and celebrating self-expression.

Of course, my tutu heart loves those amazing white tutus worn by the elegant "White Cats." Remember that opening with all the white cats emerging, that just sends shivers down your spine! It truly was a show for everyone, and it quickly became a global sensation. Imagine, wearing that fabulous costume in such an epic production. And for any dancers out there, trust me, that's what every young dancer dreams of!

Before "Cats", imagine the tutu journey we had to get here. The history of the tutu, darlings, is so interesting. Imagine, if you will, the simple and elegant tutu that adorned ballerinas in the past. From those early versions to the “Cats” tutu with its layers and shapes. You can see how those first ballerina tutus with the tiers and layers, just morphed into such flamboyant stage wear!

It wasn’t always about tutus as stage costumes though!

Have you heard of Maria Taglioni? She was an absolute star in the world of ballet. Imagine being her in the early 1800s!

You see, before her, ballerinas, like our ancestors, would have danced with a skirt they had to move around while on stage! Maria, a real trailblazer, she began a movement - with a tutu, obviously! She famously wore a tutu when dancing the title role of "La Sylphide" back in the 1800s and completely revolutionised how we view the tutu, allowing the ballerinas to show their amazing, delicate and beautiful footwork!

Let's remember: this was such a different time. She truly helped the tutu become an integral part of classical ballet and that is where I start, the first point in my own personal time travelling to do my research for this blog. I get to wear the best outfits while I learn, what more could a girl ask for? It's pretty cool, don't you think?

My love for the tutu?

It runs in the family.

It started in the 1920s and then a famous British designer from Derbyshire - the home of the Peak District National Park where I'm from! I would know, because I was there back in the day and now. Anyway! He helped the ballet skirt gain such momentum on the fashion front that a designer named Mary Quant, brought it into her store for the world to enjoy! Talk about fashionable! It didn’t take long for it to become an essential part of fashion. Remember that I am in London, and they loved a little fashion in the swinging sixties and it is still a fashionable staple!

Tutus have just had such a rich history on stage and in everyday fashion! We owe them such thanks!

Since the 1960s, you'll see me wearing all sorts of tutu-like creations that fit into any age. What a beautiful piece that shows no age or gender barriers - it is timeless!

So I'm in London for the time being for a performance, which is the reason I chose 1983-04-12 as the day for our journey this week. I hope you're enjoying our time-traveling tutus adventures together. If you’re wanting to embrace your inner ballerina (like I know you all do!), embrace the tutus - go ahead and get yourself a sparkly tutu and try them all! I always have the latest tutu designs sent to my dressing room for a ballet show. The amount of outfits and tutus I have is insane! They always have such amazing designers.

If you enjoyed our little trip back to 1983-04-12 with the amazing "Cats", don't forget to join me next Tuesday for another dose of #TutuTuesday! We'll be exploring even more history about my favourite ballet fashion. Until then, keep dancing, keep shining and keep twirling!

Much love, Emma xx