Hiya darlings! It's Emma here, back with another whirl through history for your weekly dose of #TutuTuesday! This week we're stepping back to 1984, a time of shoulder pads, big hair, and yes, tutus!
But before we go, I must share a secret – you won't believe where I just traveled from! It was so fabulous! I journeyed to a ballet show in Paris, oh darling! It was pure magic. Can you even imagine, sitting in the stalls of the Opéra Garnier, with the lights dimming, and the anticipation bubbling in the air? As the curtain rose, I was transported. Every single detail was breathtaking – from the intricate costumes to the breathtaking moves. Afterwards, I had a delightful time strolling through the city, taking in the beautiful boutiques. I did have to make a tiny purchase, of course, a delightful vintage piece in pale pink. Pink is always a good idea.
But enough about my adventures! Today we're stepping into a tutu time machine to 1984. This decade is really important in tutu history, darlings, because it marked the rise of the Romantic Era. Remember those flowing tulle skirts, the emphasis on lightness, and graceful movement? You can thank the Romantic Era for these timeless trends!
What's happening on the ballet scene in 1984? Well, let's say, "Big. Hair. Don't. Care!" This was the era of power, with ballerinas pushing boundaries. In London, Margot Fonteyn was captivating audiences at the Royal Opera House. But in America, a young, rebellious Mikhail Baryshnikov was taking the stage by storm. His fierce, athletic movements set the world on fire, showing the world that a tutu can hold both strength and delicacy.
Of course, ballet wasn’t just in theatres! On television, the Royal Ballet were a household name, captivating audiences with performances on Great Performances on PBS. Who would have imagined then that ballet would reach the small screen?
This era also marked a shift in what the everyday woman was wearing! Those beautiful flowing tutus started popping up everywhere, not just on the ballet stage! We were seeing them on our friends, at school, even on the covers of magazines. Tutus started appearing on everyone from Madonna to Princess Diana. Even some of my absolute favourite pop stars, like Cyndi Lauper and Madonna, sported some very stylish (and very pink!) tutu looks! And of course, this wouldn't be possible without a vibrant fashion scene bursting with big hair and even bigger shoulder pads!
Let's chat tutus a bit! In 1984, they were often much shorter and with a much fuller silhouette, and it really was all about the silhouette, darlings. These designs emphasized a beautiful "en pointe" look, even when not dancing. A fun thing I learned while traveling, even the most simple tutu back then required an amazing amount of detail – with layers upon layers of hand-sewn tulle! It wasn't uncommon for them to weigh over a pound - so think about it, ballerinas are literally dancing in heavy dresses - just another reason they're truly magical.
Now, I do love travelling through time to get these fashion facts for you, and of course, every travel comes with a unique and wonderful journey. I love that train travel, particularly. It's just a bit more sophisticated. Last week, I travelled from Yorkshire to the Royal Opera House. Such an amazing train ride! I took a comfy carriage seat in first-class. They serve you tea in little delicate teacups, and you can relax, read a book and maybe dream of the magical world of ballet. When I arrived in London, it was simply electric with the sparkle of the theatre district! I treated myself to afternoon tea at a grand old hotel and then went to a fascinating talk about tutu evolution at the V&A! A perfect Tuesday, if you ask me!
It's true, 1984 is a fascinating time for tutus. They were bursting with life and colour, a sign of an ever-evolving art. The big tutus became symbols of beauty and athleticism – everything a ballerina (and any woman!) aspires to be!
Don't forget, darlings, every week, on Tuesday, we take a dip back in history – don’t miss your tutu fix, head on over to www.pink-tutu.com. I also have to warn you, every once in a while, I travel to see performances around the globe - my posts will include all those fabulously fashionable finds and ballet magic. Be sure to subscribe to get updates on my adventures!
And now, as my lovely grandmama used to say: “Remember to make life a little sparkly!" Until next week!
Love and pirouettes, Emma
A bit about me...Hi everyone! Emma here! As you probably gathered from my pink tutu obsession, ballet has been a love of my life, forever! It's my way of expressing myself – a magical combination of strength, grace, and tutus, of course! I love sharing this passion with the world, hence why I started this blog, “Pink Tutu”, where we talk about all things tutu, from history to fashion!
I travel the world, visiting historical events that shaped tutus and dancing in a way no one imagined. I also go to exciting new ballet performances and share all the fashion and ballet inspiration with you! And as for the funding for my time travel - don't be silly, you know I use it for the good of my amazing tutu blog, of course! I simply fund my journeys with the incredible performances I put on for everyone! From the stage of my local theatre in Derbyshire, to charity galas and even fashion events, I take everyone on a journey to the world of pink and tutu. So if you need a fantastic show to brighten up your night, just say the word!
Follow me at: www.pink-tutu.com My favourite hashtag: #TutuTuesday See you next week for another adventure!
