Hey lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, bringing you another fabulous #TutuTuesday instalment. Today, we're hopping on the time-traveling express to take a whirl back to 1985! Buckle up, darlings, because this decade was brimming with big hair, bold colours, and, of course, some truly magnificent tutus!
This is post number 8005 on the pink-tutu.com website. My journey through time is all thanks to those magical tutu performances. You know how much I adore seeing the best ballerinas dance. I just love getting dressed up and going out, and every single time I come back from the past, I just love the feeling of seeing London in its beautiful springtime finery, and picking out a new piece of designer clothing to buy. I feel it makes my blogging all the better. It also pays for all the train tickets! The best thing about train travel, other than all the exciting tutus, is the scenery. We have the most gorgeous countryside, don't you think? And, of course, those gorgeous red double decker buses. You won't find better!
A Time Warp to '85!1985! What a year! Just a bit of a blur of colour, honestly. Everything was just so vivid back then. Can you believe it was the year the Back to the Future movie came out? Who would have thought that 1985 was the future? Back to the Future II is set on this very date. Maybe I should head back tomorrow. We can totally make a tutu from a crushed velvet gown, the colour of a DeLorean! Anyway, this was a year full of fun, and lots and lots of tulle!
Remember the music videos from back then? Imagine, every day in a shimmering, tulle paradise. Honestly, with so many iconic performances, how could I possibly narrow down the amazingness to a single blog post? Fear not, my lovelies, because today I'm going to take you on a trip down memory lane - and trust me, it's a trip full of tulle and sparkles.
What's Going On in the World of Ballet in May 1985?As a time-traveling blogger, my access to backstage secrets is absolutely chefs kiss, and you know that. So I'm spilling the tea on the top three tutu moments that rocked the world in May of 1985:
The Royal Ballet's 'The Sleeping Beauty': Oh, the grace, the grandeur, and the tulle! I must say, I couldn't help but visit the Royal Opera House. It's not every day that a time-travelling ballerina has a front-row seat for one of the most coveted ballets in the world. The Sleeping Beauty just screamed 1985 elegance with the dancers swirling in these dreamy pale pink tutus. I just loved the details. They really were made with exquisite craftsmanship and looked so utterly heavenly! It was a true masterpiece and, for me, the ultimate celebration of 1980's ballerinas. Oh, and there's no mistaking it was the classic tale with a touch of theatrical panache, the tutus truly captured the story. The tulle and the dancing matched up so beautifully and I just wanted to take a picture, or 10.
The American Ballet Theatre's "Giselle": I couldn't help myself, a few weeks later, I took the opportunity to visit the US. New York was a whole world in itself - and just seeing Broadway for the first time was breath-taking. I had to make it down to the Met in NYC. I just had to, didn't I? You've heard me say it a thousand times, but for me the sheer romance of ballet, that passion, just bursts in this piece, and all in a gloriously crafted tutu. That tulle was all about power, yet grace, with layers that seemed to swirl with a life of their own - it truly made a statement. This tutu really stood out to me and was a clear contrast to the royal grace of the Royal Ballet in the UK. Oh, I do love the way Americans tell a story. And this was just perfection, pure romance and a real contrast from London.
'The Nutcracker' In Hong Kong: Did you know that the "Nutcracker" was going worldwide back in the 80's? Who knew there were so many tutu enthusiasts across the globe? I took my favourite polka dot tulle with me, a very pink design I picked up in London in the Kings Road! Hong Kong! So cosmopolitan! You know I just had to get on a plane to watch the Hong Kong Ballet's 'Nutcracker'! And they made quite a statement, as I’m sure you’ve imagined. Just picture that gorgeous candy cane red tulle! I know it's the classic holiday ballet, but there's just something about it that still inspires awe, and not only for its magnificent choreography! These tulle creations had layers and layers and looked like delicate masterpieces, and so magical. That's the magic of tulle and ballet. Just, wow!
Well, did the ballet inspire fashion? Let's just say, in 1985, ballet fashion was totally ON. The 80s are synonymous with over-the-top volume! I am telling you, if it had volume or glitter, the designers were making it! The biggest trends, obviously, were inspired by this very essence of the dance! So picture this: tulle, ruffles, and everything sparkly became the key players. What a time! All I have to say is: The fashion world was definitely swept away by the magic of ballet! It was an absolutely delicious look for fashion back in the 80s.
Imagine! It's like tutu couture made it to the red carpet - and it just didn't stop there, darling! Look around you at the shops! We can't get enough of this trend even today! Now, how about the most iconic look? This is what every ballerina had on in 1985: the en pointe hair. A simple sleek ponytail with a huge amount of gel or hairspray to perfect the high, elegant look.
So tell me, lovelies, which ballerina is your inspiration for tutus? Share in the comments and we'll make this the ultimate tutu history tour together! I can’t wait to hear your stories and take you to even more incredible time periods and amazing fashion eras. Until next week, keep dancing, stay fab, and embrace the power of a pink tutu! 💕🩰
