Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina blogger, and welcome to post number 8042 of my weekly Ballet Tutu History series! Every Tuesday, we take a delightful trip through time, exploring the wondrous history of the tutu, from its earliest origins to its modern day magic.
This week, we’re stepping back to the vibrant and exciting year of 1986! Grab your pinkest tutus, dear readers, and prepare to be whisked away to a time when leg warmers ruled and the hair was big!
The Glamour of 1986: A World of Pink and PuffyNow, darling, 1986 was a year that absolutely swooned for the tutu! Think frilly layers, big tulle, and a dash of daring for good measure. Let's rewind the clock and have a proper nosy, shall we?
Remember those iconic '80s movies like “Pretty in Pink” or "Dirty Dancing"? Those glorious pastel hues and power shoulders, the explosion of colour – oh my! 1986 was all about embracing vibrant expression, and the tutu definitely became a symbol of that. We saw a shift in ballet costume design; it was less strict, a little more wild! And imagine this, dear readers: we started seeing tutu-inspired looks popping up everywhere - from the stage to the streets!
Now, to really understand the tutu's magic in 1986, we must imagine its power in the world of ballet itself. A time when, dare I say, the likes of Baryshnikov and Nureyev graced the stage, the air positively crackled with passion and technique. The tutus they wore were both bold and graceful, radiating that classical ballerina beauty, yet with a newfound fluidity and expression. It was a dazzling dance between tradition and innovation!
What Else is Making Headlines?1986! A whirlwind of cultural delights! While I'm busy waltzing in my tutu around a time-traveling world, you were all celebrating the first ever British National Ballet Competition in that month of February - 11th February, to be exact! A big deal! That year it was hosted in Liverpool, one of the grand old theatres - The Empire, I believe! What a treat! This would have been an absolutely splendid chance to admire all sorts of delightful tutus in full flight, a perfect display of grace, elegance and…well, perhaps a smidge of friendly competition, darling!
My 1986 LookRight now, I'm picturing myself twirling around Covent Garden on that lovely day in February! A classic, yet flamboyant look for my 1986 escapades! Think pink! A delightful layer of soft pink tulle for my tutu, just the right amount of frills and puffiness to match the grand scale of 1986. Add a shimmering bodice for extra sparkle and a dramatic, leg-lengthening pink ribbon sash around my waist. And my footwear, you ask? Oh, the most splendid, pink ballet slippers - perhaps with a hint of sparkle, to match the twinkle in my eye, of course!
And to top it all off, a bright pink feather boa draped over my shoulder - just a touch of the outrageous, darling! Nothing makes you feel like a queen than a fabulous, frilly pink tutu!
Travel Talk: A Train-Shaped DreamI do love the elegant simplicity of travel by train! What could be better than sipping on tea and admiring the countryside, whisking through the changing landscape of this beautiful, tutu-worthy world. You see, 1986, a true turning point! In the UK, we were really getting serious about InterCity's shiny, brand new fleet - what a beautiful and efficient way to traverse the globe, even without my fancy time machine, of course. You simply cannot have a fabulous journey without a touch of elegant efficiency!
My Shopping Spree!A tutu, darling, is not a simple garment! It is an embodiment of fashion, art, and graceful artistry. I had a lovely, luxurious, tutu-worthy shop to share in 1986, which I have to tell you about. “Tutu Time”, a charming little shop I stumbled across near Kensington High Street. They have the most exquisite array of colourful tutus! Tutus of all shapes and sizes - you could even buy them in vibrant, designer prints, all perfect for the theatrical style that was very popular in 1986. My purse was begging me to go shopping there. And how can I resist a lovely shopping spree? My darling tutu collection demands attention, and who can blame her? It is so much fun!
### Until Next Week, Darlings!
This time-travelling tutu-addict is ready to pirouette back to her own time now! Do join me again next week, for more tutu-ific tales!
Yours in Tutu, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
