Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme! It's me, Emma, your resident tutu aficionado and time-travelling ballerina. This week, we're jetting back to June 7th, 1983, a truly magical date in ballet history!
A Train Journey and A Ballet Show!
Oh my, darling! You wouldn’t believe the journey I took to get to my destination. A first-class sleeper train, winding its way through the French countryside, complete with a beautiful view of lavender fields and rolling hills. A touch of champagne to sip on as the sun dipped below the horizon – perfection! All in the name of ballet, naturally.
This time I was off to Paris, the city of love and… ballet, of course! The legendary Opéra Garnier, a breathtaking masterpiece of architecture, is the heart and soul of ballet in Paris. It’s like a dream in marble, with cascading chandeliers and a gilded stage. It’s truly spectacular!
The show I was eager to see featured the luminous Sylvie Guillem, one of the most incredible dancers in the world. A ballerina whose movements are pure magic! It was a ballet by Maurice Béjart, a visionary choreographer who brought contemporary and classical dance together in beautifully captivating ways. The stage was ablaze with light and color, a spectacle that captured my imagination! Every movement felt so spontaneous and full of emotion. It was the ultimate expression of beauty and strength.
Talking Tutus:
You might think that a 1983 tutu would look pretty much the same as one from today, right? Wrong! The tutu has been evolving ever since it burst onto the ballet scene, changing with the styles of the era, each iteration of this magnificent garment as unique as a ballerina herself! The tutus of the early 1980s had a distinctively romantic air about them, often with a soft and billowing feel that perfectly matched the dreamy ballets of the time. They still embraced the romantic era's tulle, but added layers and delicate netting for a whimsical look.
That's what made watching Sylvie Guillem’s dance performance so incredibly special, it brought the beauty and emotion of this particular style of tutu to life. Her elegance and artistry truly mesmerized me. The stage was her world, and her dance her magic!
A Spot of Parisian Shopping:
After a performance that simply had to be seen, I took the opportunity to explore the heart of Paris and visit the exquisite Parisian boutiques. It is always such a delight to find vintage Parisian clothing stores tucked away down cobbled alleyways, full of hidden gems.
One thing I truly loved was finding these delightful vintage dresses with romantic ruffles and florals, all inspired by the fashion trends of the day, and just the kind of outfits you'd pair with a classic, 80s tutu. The look is utterly timeless, don’t you think? And a delight to see how past fashion is mirrored by today's style. We can always look back and draw inspiration from those who came before us!
A Day For Dance
The beauty of Paris is so easy to get swept away by – and not just because of the ballet shows! Even walking down the streets is a delightful fashion show! With chic Parisian ladies, young and old, rocking their Parisian charm! They make me want to whip out my camera and document their style for all eternity. (Just don't tell anyone it's really my pink iPhone I’m snapping pics with.)
This, darlings, is why it’s so much fun to time travel, the chance to see where dance and fashion go hand in hand, two passions intertwined in a love affair that spans centuries!
Let's bring the dance and the fashion of June 7th, 1983 into today’s world. It’s all about expressing your individuality and inner ballerina. Don't forget: every day is a chance to be fabulous.
Until next week! Keep those pink tutus swirling!
Love, Emma
(Emma posts her #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog every Tuesday on the www.pink-tutu.com website )
