Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, bringing you another dose of ballet history for your #TutuTuesday.
This week we’re taking a trip back to the 24th of September 1985, a glorious time for tutus! Imagine, it’s a crisp autumn day and you’re standing outside the Royal Opera House in London, the air buzzing with excitement for the evening’s performance. It’s just before a major ballet premiere, the buzz of anticipation as thrilling as the rustling of silk tutus. The anticipation builds! We've had some spectacular shows recently, don't you think? From Swan Lake to Giselle, the stages of the world have been shimmering with ballerina grace, and I've been right there, soaking it all up in the front row!
Today, though, we’re stepping back from the stage for a moment, and delving into the story behind those beautiful, billowing, pink-perfect tutus. Today's history will take you to a ballet performance by Rudolf Nureyev, which you could catch on television in London as he danced for the Royal Ballet!
The Ballerina's BFF: A Bit of History
Now, you might think the tutu is a recent invention, but darlings, you’d be wrong! The tutu story actually goes back to the early 19th century. Think Romantic ballet! Imagine beautiful tulle, so light and airy. It made dancing easier, allowing for greater freedom of movement. Remember, ballet in those days was about storytelling, not just showing off amazing technique!
I’ve even got a picture in my mind of the early, romantically flowing, slightly billowing, layered tutus! Remember my collection of these from my trip to the late 1800s? You'll have to wait for those photographs as I want to edit them. Those early tutus were truly something special, adding that ethereal, dreamlike quality to performances. And as they evolved, they took on different forms. We saw shorter tutus, perfect for faster, more playful pieces. But for dramatic stories, a longer, more traditional tutu remained the ultimate symbol of ballerina magic.
It's funny, really, how a simple garment can become a symbol of so much – grace, beauty, and of course, dreams! Oh, and it's important to talk about fabric – we’re talking a range of textures – silky satins, diaphanous chiffon, and of course, tulle – that quintessential tutu material, with its magical ability to create so much volume!
Today's Tutu-Inspired Adventures
So what’s a fashion-loving tutu-ophile like me doing in 1985? Well, London’s the place to be, of course! Imagine – shops overflowing with glorious silk and chiffon. Oh, the temptation! And it wouldn't be complete without a trip to a department store to look at the ballet shoes! I would grab a little tea with a pal after a morning of ballet shopping! This is just like my trip last year to London for the 2023 Royal Opera House Nutcracker production. That really was a trip and it felt like I was stepping straight out of a Jane Austen novel!
But today's trip isn't all about fashion! I'm here to catch a glimpse of Rudolf Nureyev, a ballet legend! Watching his grace on the stage is simply awe-inspiring!
Later this evening, I’m catching a West End performance of Les Misérables – so glamorous! That’s what makes this era so much fun, isn’t it? We’re getting all the fabulousness of ballet, plus incredible theatrical productions! There’s simply nothing better! It’s all about immersing myself in the energy and excitement. The performances will be captivating and the London lights just add to the magic! This is a bit like last year when I traveled to Paris and took a trip to see Moulin Rouge!
Oh, and don’t even get me started on the clothes! The 1980s are just a fashion lover's dream – so much colour and vibrancy. My current pink, feathered ensemble will have you dreaming of tutus all day long.
So remember, darlings, you don’t need a stage to be a ballerina! Every day can be your own personal #TutuTuesday. Don’t be afraid to express your inner princess! Don't you think that, my darlings?
That's it for this week's trip into #TutuTuesday history, darling readers! And remember, until next time, be fabulous!
Emma
P.S. Want to catch my next #TutuTuesday journey? Head on over to www.pink-tutu.com, or simply follow me on my ballet-tastic adventures using #pinktutu. And, don’t forget, dear reader, every day is a good day to wear a tutu! It’s your life! Be the ballerina you were born to be!
Disclaimer My time travels have been edited and abridged to allow for a reasonable word count and will not contain any offensive, defamatory, hateful, inflammatory, or false or misleading content.
