Hello Darlings!
It's Tutu Tuesday once again, and I'm just bursting with excitement! This week we're travelling back in time, all the way to the 21st of June 1983! Fancy a little jaunt through the fabulous ballet tutu history of this iconic date? Grab your teacups and get comfy, we're taking a little trip!
Now, 1983. It was a gloriously flamboyant year. Think big hair, power shoulders, and colour! Remember, a decade ago, we were rocking the "Disco" era, where the bolder the better, the more sparkly, the more fabulous. Think of the fabulous "Saturday Night Fever", but with even bigger, more audacious statement jewellery. This is the time when fashion really exploded into colour, movement and glamour! This is what 1983 brought us, a true explosion of style!
The year is buzzing, filled with such glorious optimism, the energy is electric! And in that heady climate, fashion really blossomed! The most fashionable of designers – Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, and Oscar de la Renta - were making dresses with large voluminous shoulders (think of Princess Diana's looks, so powerful and elegant) and bright, dazzling colours that practically demanded to be seen! There was a distinct focus on showing off the figure and the beauty of the feminine silhouette. This meant slinky skirts, gorgeous flowing fabrics, and tight waistbands - a-la the legendary Jackie O of the 60s.
And who else embraces the feminine silhouette more than a ballerina? Our girls were definitely rocking the 1983 trends! This was the year for beautiful, swirling skirts in pastel colours, all about creating that romantic, feminine and soft look, that "floating on air" ballet elegance!
So what was happening in the ballet world that day, in the magical year of 1983? Well, it turns out there were some absolute legends on the stage that evening! In the grand and beautiful city of New York City, The New York City Ballet was staging a spectacular performance of the classic "Swan Lake". Can you imagine it, Darlings?! The delicate tulle floating in the air, the breathtaking pas de deux (that magical duet between two ballerinas!) ... divine! If we're talking tutu-focused historical fashion - "Swan Lake" has always been the key event!
But hold on a second! We can't forget the other big name that graced a stage that evening. In Moscow, one of the world's most incredible dance venues, the legendary Bolshoi Theatre, a young star named Rudolf Nureyev was performing "Don Quixote". Now, if you don't know him, then this is your ballet history lesson for the day, Darlings. Nureyev! He's the one who made ballet accessible and exciting for a whole new generation! Think "Saturday Night Fever" but with graceful leaps and choreographed moves! This is what he brought to ballet in the 1960s, and this was one of the performances he's most famous for! "Don Quixote" with Rudolf Nureyev? Just think of that spectacle, Darlings! Incredible!
The colour pink, was huge back in 1983, and still remains a staple for so many of us today! I was lucky enough to find a vintage pink tutu on my travels. The perfect homage to a truly fantastic decade! Pink signifies all things sweet and lovely, it evokes the femininity of ballet, and this year is certainly a celebration of that sweet and lovely feminine! I found it in a tiny, beautiful antique shop tucked away in Little Venice, in London. I always love exploring and getting lost in the nooks and crannies of the city!
But we aren't just celebrating 1983's tutus today. We're here for all of history! Remember to use my #TutuTuesday hashtag - it's a fantastic way for us to see what kind of incredible ballet tutu history is out there! *Share your photos of all your favourite tutu styles, of you *wearing tutus, sewing tutus, creating tutus… everything you find fab!*
This week, we travelled back in time, but tomorrow we're heading forward! Where will our adventures take us? Who knows! All I can say is, stay tuned for next Tuesday’s #TutuTuesday blog post on pink-tutu.com! And don’t forget to share your adventures! I can't wait to see what you’ve discovered!
And in the words of the fabulous Coco Chanel: " Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." Well said Coco! Until next time, stay fabulous and be sure to stay tuned!
Yours in Pink Tulle, * *Emma.
Emma waves goodbye from her pink tutu, ready for her next exciting adventure in ballet tutu history!
