Hiya, tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another trip through time to explore the fabulous history of the ballet tutu. Today, we're taking the express train to the 25th of October, 1983, a date steeped in the romance of the ballet world.
Stepping onto the platform, I'm immediately greeted by a wave of nostalgia. It's a time when the big shoulder pads were all the rage, leg warmers were a staple, and you just knew it was the 80s. Even the trains seem a bit more glam! The air is filled with the energy of vibrant music and a burgeoning fascination with the performing arts. And let me tell you, the ballet scene is just as vibrant!
It was a glorious time for ballerinas. They were seen as both graceful and athletic, powerful and delicate, a fascinating combination. Their movements on stage were imbued with a dramatic expressiveness, echoing the zeitgeist.
You see, 1983 was a special year for ballet. In the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the prestigious Royal Ballet company was hitting its stride. A whole generation of dancers had arrived, ready to show their own creative and dramatic interpretation of classic works. And they did, to much acclaim, their beautiful, athletic movements making audiences gasp with wonder.
You couldn’t swing a cat without finding a captivating ballet performance! There were breathtaking productions happening everywhere. A trip to see The Nutcracker or Swan Lake would have been the highlight of the week. We're talking intricate, flowing tutus with romantic ruffles. Even the costume design was all about bold, beautiful and elaborate creations that shimmered and swayed like a flower in the wind.
While I may be a pink-tutu-obsessed gal, the fashion back in '83 wasn’t all frills. It was a daring mix of femininity and strength. Think vibrant colours, bold silhouettes, and lots and lots of volume! The trend that struck me most were the power shoulders - just like they added a little extra pizazz to a tutu, big shoulder pads just gave every woman a touch of grace and confidence. Of course, for those times I yearned for a dash of pastel, I knew that all-white tutus or simple classical styles still ruled the stage.
Speaking of tutus, let’s take a peek into what these 1983 ballerinas were dancing in. Imagine, ladies, tutus that weren't just graceful, they were practical too! While the fluffy, multi-layered tutu with a tight bodice still held its place, it had evolved! The ‘80s embraced more mobility, which meant slightly shorter tutus, tighter, and with just enough volume to add a touch of magic. This meant they were still elegant but less restrictive and more modern, perfect for the dynamic choreography taking the world by storm.
Today's tutus are so beautifully crafted with fine nets and layers of tulle, and while it was important for them to be light in 1983, that was no mean feat! I was told these early tutus had to be worn over several layers of petticoats, adding support and shaping the beautiful form that took years to achieve!
But don’t just take my word for it. I actually saw an interesting article about tutu construction in the latest edition of The Ballet Review!
Of course, if you fancy a taste of vintage tutus yourself, they’re hard to come by! The most coveted vintage tutus often come from collectors and vintage stores. But if you’re feeling brave, you could always find a seamstress to make you one. Even today, nothing beats the unique elegance of a handmade tutu, even though they’re not all that easy to find.
But back to our pink-tinted time machine.
It wouldn’t be right for me to head back to Derbyshire without mentioning that I had a chance to step into a rehearsal studio at a local dance school. These ballerinas had the same infectious enthusiasm and sheer joy of performance that I knew from my own times. They reminded me of the very reason I took this trip through time - to appreciate the enduring power and magic of the dance world.
I felt inspired by these ladies, full of excitement for my next show in London! That’s my plan: get back on the train, see a show, do some fabulous shopping for more vintage pieces for my online store (a little pink-tutu secret), then make my way home. And, naturally, I'm hoping I can inspire more folks to don a tutu! After all, there’s nothing quite like it – it’s about elegance, it's about strength, and it's about being fabulous. And that's a journey that can never really go out of fashion, isn't it?
Now, let's take a twirl!
Until next Tuesday, tutu-lovers,
Emma, the pink-tutu-obsessed, time-traveling ballerina, from www.pink-tutu.com!
