Hello, my darling darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here! I've just popped back from a whirlwind trip to October 7th, 1986, and oh my, let me tell you, the tutus were simply divine!
This week, my #TutuTuesday journey took me straight to the heart of ballet's magic – the Paris Opera Ballet. The Palais Garnier is such a magnificent building – all opulent gold and intricate detail, it truly makes you feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale. And, the ballet itself was divine. It was The Nutcracker, and the costumes were simply dreamy! Fluffy tutus, shimmering sparkles, and delicate pointe shoes – every single detail was breathtaking.
Speaking of ballet costumes, can we take a moment to appreciate how amazing the evolution of the tutu has been? 1986 was a particularly interesting year, my loves, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, we were right in the middle of the rise of the Romantic tutu. You know, those long, billowing, ethereal tutus that float so beautifully – it's like a ballerina has wings! Think of all those romantic ballets like Giselle and La Sylphide – their tutus are the ultimate expression of delicate beauty and elegance.
But wait, there's more! You see, my darlings, ballet in the mid 80s was on the verge of a dramatic shift! There was this exciting, new generation of ballerinas pushing the boundaries. The emphasis wasn't solely on grace and technical brilliance – they wanted to express raw emotion and explore darker, more complex narratives. They didn’t just want to tell stories through tutus, they wanted to live them!
Now, the change didn’t necessarily come in the form of dramatic changes in tutu design, but in the expression of them. You see, my dear readers, the tutu is a fascinating piece of fabric! It doesn't just twirl; it tells a story. Just watch a ballerina wear a Romantic tutu. Look how it billows with every pirouette, catching the light as if it’s reflecting a whisper of a delicate butterfly wing!
And as much as I adore the delicate Romantic tutu, let’s be honest, dear friends – sometimes a girl just needs a bit of oomph! That’s where the Classical tutu comes in. Short, frilly, and incredibly dynamic, it’s like a powerful declaration of beauty, strength and athleticism! Think of a Grand Jeté with a classical tutu. Talk about a statement piece, my lovelies! It embodies the power, dynamism and captivating presence that these ballerinas projected onto the stage!
Let's take a peek at the 1986 fashion scene, shall we? You know I couldn’t resist a little bit of vintage shopping on my trip!
Oh my, sweetheart, you had the best fashion! Everyone was sporting a healthy dose of neon, bold colours, and those amazing shoulder pads! Even tutus got a bit of that 80s flair! You'd find these fabulously colourful tutus, complete with sparkles, lace, and maybe even some vibrant neon ribbon – a bold statement indeed, don't you think?
But, what was 1986 REALLY about? Oh, you had everything going on! This was a truly remarkable year – filled with pop-culture gems and game-changing events! Madonna was smashing the music scene with 'Like a Prayer,' 'Top Gun' was the talk of the town with its adrenaline-fueled stunts, and 'Aliens' took us on a mind-bending sci-fi journey.
Let's be honest, my loves, 1986 wasn’t all glitter and sparkle. This was a time of real change, even on the world stage! It was the year Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika and Glasnost shook up the Soviet Union, and, sadly, the year the Chernobyl disaster occurred.
You see, sometimes looking back into the past helps us to appreciate how far we’ve come. We remember the hard times, but also celebrate all those magical moments.
Anyway, darlings, enough history! Let’s bring things back to the present, shall we? It's been a while since I’ve posted about my love for the #ParisOpera, but it's one of the places I have been going to every week since I started time traveling, I do adore it – and if you have any tips on where to find the best tea shops and patisseries, please do share!
Remember, my darlings, let's continue to embrace the power of tutus – they’re more than just garments, they’re reflections of beauty, grace, and freedom!
Until next Tuesday, stay pink!
Lots of love,
Emma xxx
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com for more amazing #TutuTuesday adventures! I have to go and start packing now, I'm off to New York to see American Ballet Theatre performing 'Swan Lake'! Can’t wait to bring you all my latest observations!
