Greetings from your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma! Itās #TutuTuesday, which means itās time to take a journey through time and explore the captivating history of the ballet tutu!
This week weāre waltzing back to July 26th, 1983! It's a Wednesday (who knew Tuesdays used to be Wednesday?!), but my fabulous time machine is a little off today and seems to have brought me to July 26th! Donāt worry, Iām all about making the most of every opportunity, and frankly, who can say no to a trip through time? So let's delve into the tutu trends and happenings of that memorable summer of 1983!
But first, darling, a quick update on my time travel funds: The Bolshoi Ballet is performing a dazzling new rendition of Swan Lake in Moscow next week. And oh, the costumes! They are simply to die for - so elegant, yet full of a fiery passion that takes my breath away. The train journey across Europe might be long, but it'll be worth it!
Now, let's get back to our fabulous time-travelling tutu journey! In 1983, the ballet world was buzzing with excitement. A little something called āNew York City Balletā had their premiere in Londonās Sadlerās Wells Theatre in March. Imagine - the Big Apple bringing its dazzling choreography all the way to Blighty! Can you even imagine how glamorous the audience looked in all their sequined finery and posh frocks? My goodness, the tutus!
Imagine my delight! A whole fashion craze that took over America, called "New Romanticism", embraced the elegance of ballet and, in turn, gave new life to the iconic tutu. This movement was about celebrating the beautiful, the intricate, the dramatic and theatrical ā much like myself in a glorious pink tutu! I do adore my tutus; every single stitch, every delicate layer, and every flutter of fabric is a story in itself!
Of course, even back in the 80s, ballet was not solely confined to grand theaters and prestigious companies. Just a few months before this Wednesday, my favorite ballet group, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, were performing a dazzling production of āRomeo and Juliet" at the Hippodrome Theatre! Oh, what a love story, and their beautiful tutus simply accentuated the tragedy of the tale with their simple yet heart-wrenching beauty. A symphony of movement, dance, and tutus, all captured within the walls of the Hippodrome. You couldnāt ask for anything more. The most exquisite tutus worn with an almost heavenly poiseā¦ Simply divine!
Speaking of poise and grace, my dear readers, I absolutely have to tell you about this glorious, divine, and totally awe-inspiring thing called the "Romantic tutu!" Oh, theyāre so full of layers, like swirling clouds of pure fabric! My eyes just get lost in the fluff! Just imagine, rows and rows of shimmering tulle flowing and dancing around the stage, a delicate symphony of soft colours. And you know whatās even more brilliant? There were so many exciting innovations happening at the time; with ballet companies embracing daring styles! Gone were the days of just stiff and starchy fabrics! In 1983, even tutus were getting more creative! I feel quite lucky to be a tutu enthusiast during such a thrilling time, what a fabulous journey we are taking!
But the fashion didnāt just stop on the ballet stage. You know how much I love the connection between street fashion and ballet; so guess what? Those dramatic and beautiful tutus inspired the likes of famous fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood and Thierry Mugler. Just imagine all the daring looks and bold silhouettes! It truly makes me believe weāre going to reach my goal ā that every woman, regardless of age, is going to fall in love with the beauty and elegance of a good pink tutu!
There is so much going on in the world, and itās thrilling to see how a single article of clothing can be a source of such inspiration! Even today, people are being inspired by those fabulous tutus! The delicate patterns, the beautiful embroidery, the gentle wispy movements of the layersā¦ all so delightful. I love the impact it has; even without a ballerina dancing, just wearing a tutu can evoke so much joy and happiness! Imagine dancing a delightful jig while twirling, dipping, and leaping - you feel a rush of pure fun as the wind catches the layers, oh, it's wonderful!
But donāt worry my loves, we are still far from finished with this journey. Next #TutuTuesday weāll jump even further into the past ā we'll be taking a grand tour of The National Ballet of Canada. You donāt want to miss the gorgeous costumes ā oh my! Until then, I will be taking full advantage of this wonderful day ā we all need a touch of the pink and a twirl or two in our lives!
Oh, I must tell you! Remember those delightful ladies at the opera and those spectacular fashion balls of days past? Well, today, at least here in England, ladies were enjoying the excitement and elegance of The Horse of the Year Show! Itās a world class equestrian show filled with top-notch riders, lovely horses, and gorgeous crowds! Can you imagine all those perfectly coiffed hairstyles, those fabulous hats and frocks, and oh, all the tutus I saw!
I must admit it was quite fun seeing ladies dancing in their tutus to the tunes of those jolly-good country band singers and musicians who entertain the crowds. This delightful show in the village of Stoneleigh is really a fabulous show - just the perfect escape for any modern ballet enthusiast, or even any adventurous fan of the colour pink! And remember: There is no better place than in the lap of the British countryside, especially at a grand equestrian show, where it's guaranteed that one is never too old or too glamorous for a bit of fashion magic.
You are the stars in the show of life my lovely dears! I simply want everyone to embrace their inner ballerina and put on a pink tutu and start a magical dance that delights everyone. Until next week, when we'll take a deep dive into more of the historical ballet wonders that only #TutuTuesday can reveal!
With twirls and flourishes,
Emma!
P.S. My newest travel tutu! It is a vintage beauty with sparkling sequins! Oh, how exciting! It has layers upon layers of pink silk tulle. Oh, so many colours and so many stories, so many tutus to discover! So why don't you try putting on a tutu for a grand evening at home, perhaps whilst sipping on a steaming cuppa! Oh, how truly British! It will be so much fun ā Iāll be twirling with you in spirit.
