Hello my gorgeous tutu lovers! It's your favourite time-traveling fashionista, Emma, and I'm bursting with excitement for today's #TutuTuesday! This week we're taking a whirl through the archives to October 18th, 1983. Buckle up buttercup, it's going to be a dazzling journey!
For my lovely tutu fans, 18th October 1983 was a Wednesday. Just imagine the possibilities! A crisp autumn day, a chance for a perfect pink tutu twirl in a golden park. This day holds a special place in my heart because it's when my ballet teacher, Miss Rose, gave me my first real pointe shoe! Oh, the joy! A pointe shoe marks a new chapter in any ballerina's life, it's a symbol of dedication, strength and the first steps towards those magical leaps and bounds!
You know I'm obsessed with travelling in time to discover the glorious history of tutus! So where did we go this time? None other than the city of light, Paris! And what did I see there you ask? Why, a spectacular show at the glorious Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera Ballet! Now this isn't just any opera house, darling! Imagine magnificent velvet, dazzling gold chandeliers and oh my, those tutus! Like wisps of chiffon, shimmering with exquisite embroidery - true works of art! The costumes that night were like dreams spun into silk. I almost cried when I saw the ballerinas emerge in those incredible creations - each step was like a feather brushing across a moonlit pond. It's these moments that fuel my passion for sharing tutu history!
So, why was this show so special, I hear you ask? This very same date saw a performance of a ballet that became iconic - "Le Sacre du Printemps", known as the 'Rite of Spring'. It was revolutionary back in 1913 and even now, in 1983, it remains a mind-blowing spectacle. Those stark angular movements, the intensity, the primal energy - all encapsulated in the most magnificent, daring choreography. Oh darling, I felt like I was watching something primal and majestic, something that transcends language and time. You really need to see it if you have the chance!
Now let's talk about the real heart of the matter, fashion darling, the tutu! The 1980s were a truly glamorous time, a period of bold fashion experimentation. Even though "Le Sacre" doesn't traditionally feature big poufy tutus, you can imagine the kind of outfits those lovely ladies on stage were wearing! Think sleek black leotards, leggings for that long lean look and lots of bold, vibrant colours. You can picture it! And in the real world, even outside of ballet, tutus were big! Think of Princess Diana's gorgeous tulle skirts, the fabulous '80s pop stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, they were all sporting big and bold looks - even if it wasn't exactly the classical ballerina silhouette we love. But just imagine how fabulous it would have looked to add a dash of pink tulle to that decade's trends!
Now you must be wondering, what was I wearing for this glorious trip to the Paris Opera House? Well, my darlings, I couldn't have picked anything but the Ultimate Tutu Extravaganza! I am talking a gorgeous two-layered tulle skirt in a gorgeous softest pink, finished with a matching crop top and those little black ribbon ballet shoes - just the thing to make you feel fabulous and ready for a graceful twirl around the Palais Garnier! You could never have too many layers of tulle, you know. Just imagine how elegant that fluffy goodness would have looked floating around that magnificent stage!
I have to tell you about something utterly delightful! Before the show, I made a quick detour to my absolute favourite Parisian vintage shop. Oh darling, you can never have enough tutus in your life! The shop had the most fabulous collection of retro tutu designs! There were shimmering black tutus with diamante sequins, billowing red tutus that must have come straight out of a showstopper's wardrobe, and, of course, a multitude of tulle wonders in every shade of pink! I'm a little bit obsessed, darling! But I tell you, when I travel in time, those old-fashioned boutiques have a special magic, a touch of timeless elegance that you just don't get in the modern shops.
You know my dearest, my dream is to inspire everyone to embrace the world of the tutu! From the most experienced ballerina to the most bashful newbie. It's all about spreading that fabulous feeling!
So there you have it! My magical #TutuTuesday journey through time! Don't forget, I'm waiting to see all your amazing tutu pics on my pink-tutu.com page, especially this week. Who knows what delightful surprise await in our journey next week! Until then, my lovelies, keep twirling!
P.S. For this blog, it is not clear the dates and years of the performances or shows, so it is set within 1983. It also isn't clear if there were shows or ballet performed. It states they were seen, which is why this is the assumption in the text above.
