Hello, darling tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back with another fabulously pink journey through the history of the ballet tutu, taking you all on my weekly Tutu Tuesday adventure! Today is #TutuTuesday number 7974, which is super exciting as it takes me back to a really special time - 1984, and what a year it was! Oh darling, there was so much fashion inspiration to be found!
This week, I hopped on a steam train – they're so wonderfully romantic, wouldn’t you agree? I must say, getting to experience the charm of Victorian travel is one of the benefits of my unique ballet-funded time-travel business – my friends at the Royal Ballet are wonderful and supportive. I'm ever so grateful, darling, and my travels definitely inspire my tutu wardrobe. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Anyway, back to my journey! This time, my time-traveler's feet landed me in, oh, the magical land of New York, a real hotbed for fashion and dancing in the 80s! And who better to celebrate tutu history than with the iconic Mikhail Baryshnikov at the American Ballet Theatre? You see, my love for all things pink leads me to places where this wondrous creation is embraced, and it truly made a big splash in this time. You know me, darlings, I love finding tutu magic in unlikely places.
What can I say, even a pink tutu needs some serious colour coordination! As I found myself admiring the grand New York scenery on this Tuesday in 1984, the streets seemed alive with a very special kind of style. Big shoulder pads, the iconic "Miami Vice" pastel colours, bright bold patterns – it was a real feast for the eyes! The 80s are known for their larger-than-life personalities, bold colour palettes, and… well, tutus! Oh my darling, those big, glorious pouffy tutus - they truly are the crown jewel of this era! It's hard to resist their glamour! It was a wonderful blend of tradition and bold new fashion that truly pushed the boundaries of what a tutu could be.
Oh, and on this day, the iconic and fabulously fabulous Michael Jackson was gracing our television screens with his "Thriller" video – talk about a statement piece of dance fashion, that really pushed boundaries of the tutu – the entire production was a symphony of visual spectacle!
Back at the ballet studio, my goodness, I noticed that the tutus themselves took a different turn back in this period! While the classic Romantic tutus remained beloved, 80's dance saw a movement towards the "Romantic Tutu" being modified with its fuller layers. Imagine, darling, that wonderful billowing effect you get – almost like a dream spun in fabric. Just delightful!
And then there's the "Classical Tutu," which you'll recognise as being much shorter and more slender - it's a timeless favourite and definitely brings elegance and poise to any performance! We saw this being worn in New York by the incredibly graceful Mikhail Baryshnikov - his elegance, precision, and expression truly added to this beautiful timeless ballet staple. I saw the New York crowd go wild as the classic tutu twirled in a whirlwind of elegant ballet artistry! It truly captured that quintessential spirit of classical ballet that never goes out of fashion.
But wait! The fashion darling wasn’t finished. The 1980s was also a playground for more unconventional styles like the "Bell-shaped Tutu." Can you picture it? Layers and layers of netting forming a truly dramatic, voluminous bell shape! A truly fabulous era! I find these tutus wonderfully expressive – like they’re whispering secrets of daring, bold ballet innovation.
I was delighted to spot another unique twist in this era, a tutu for the daring dance enthusiasts – the “The Modern tutu!" It was a tutu for a time when experimentation was at its height – think movement beyond traditional ballet with a more fluid and artistic approach! These tutus became iconic, embracing different textures, shapes and lengths. The modern ballet style and the more modern “The Neo-Classical Tutu,” both had more minimalist, yet still very beautiful, styles and shapes – and they truly celebrated freedom of movement and individuality!
I must admit, seeing the graceful dance moves and artistic expressions, that made me think of the great American modern choreographer Martha Graham – who loved modern ballet so much and had an important part in making it more well known around the world! It’s a delightful tribute to her talent!
From New York, it was time to head back home to the comfort of Derbyshire – I simply adore a good train journey after all. This magical world of time-travel ballet fashion history, where tutus are the stars and every era holds unique secrets and magical trends, always leaves me filled with wonder and inspiration!
What's a ballet enthusiast to do after a grand day of time travelling but to grab my tutu (currently a bright bubble-gum pink for an evening out) and waltz my way into a delicious treat! If I am back home in Derbyshire, then I am headed straight to the "Victoria Pastry Shop" in Matlock, darling – the cherry cake there is an absolute dream! And while you're enjoying your tasty treat, take a moment to remember – the magic of the tutu knows no boundaries of time, so don’t be afraid to twirl on, my dearest tutu enthusiasts! Just try not to let those ballet shoes steal the show (well, perhaps they should be just a little bit fabulous too, right?) And be sure to check back in for next week's Tutu Tuesday, where I'll take you on another wondrous journey through history and discover what makes this beautiful piece of fashion magic such a fascinating wonder!
Remember to get those tutus ready for some delightful twirling. And remember, darling, "Every Day can be a Tutu Day!”
