#8090
Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your weekly dose of tutu-licious history. Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane – or rather, a train journey, as it's far more glamorous, wouldn't you agree? We're stepping into the magnificent year of 1987! This, my dears, is a date brimming with ballet brilliance. Hold on to your tutus, we're about to go on a whirl of a time-travelling adventure.
As you know, dear readers, I adore a good old fashioned trip by train. Especially if I'm headed to a ballet performance. You see, while some might prefer sleek jets, I find there's a certain charm to the rumble and sway of a carriage, a cuppa tea in hand, and the rhythmic clackety-clack of wheels against tracks, echoing the very pulse of dance itself! And oh my goodness, I must talk about my travelling outfit! I wore a breathtaking shade of dusty rose, just perfect for a January morning. It’s a true pink with an almost smoky depth – utterly magnificent. As for the tutu… you just know it’s pink! A classic, frothy delight with a dash of shimmery sequins. Because, my lovelies, life's too short for a drab outfit.
Now, back to 1987. What were ballet enthusiasts raving about on this very day? Well, the date was the 13th of January and – hold your breath – *the Royal Ballet had *just taken to the stage of the Royal Opera House, performing the world premiere of a ballet masterpiece: "The Prince of the Pagodas". * This stunning piece was the work of the *legendary choreographer, David Bintley. This isn't just any old dance. This is classic Bintley – innovative, passionate, and visually breath-taking.
Imagine: shimmering silk costumes, a mystical Asian theme, a fusion of eastern and western dance styles. All of this orchestrated by a maestro of ballet who is not afraid to challenge expectations and introduce exciting new moves! If you were lucky enough to see it live on this day, you’d have been swept away to a world of wonder.
1987, you see, was a year full of magic. Think "Dirty Dancing", think Michael Jackson's "Bad" album. It was a time of glitter, and it seemed, a certain kind of artistic revolution. Ballet, like all forms of art, was reflecting this change in its own captivating way. Bintley's “Pagodas” showcased that ballet wasn’t simply for the elite. It could tell tales, inspire, be adventurous, and embrace all kinds of emotions and movement. That year was bursting with stories – like those told by "The Prince of the Pagodas".
What else can we learn about the world of ballet during this period? Well, on a different stage in the very same city, a whole other enchanting world of ballet was unfolding. We are talking about the "Dance Umbrella" Festival – an eclectic feast of contemporary dance.
You can just imagine the London ballet scene that year. There was this vibrant juxtaposition between tradition and the cutting-edge of dance – all playing out within a few streets of each other. How fabulous!
But my lovelies, our trip to 1987 doesn't stop there. I also discovered that another milestone took place in the world of dance on January 13th 1987 – this time across the pond. It was the birth of "Dance Theatre of Harlem" – a world-famous dance company. This remarkable organization played a crucial role in widening the world of ballet and creating opportunities for talented dancers from all walks of life.
How much is happening this week?
Let’s take a peek:
- If we cast our eyes back to 1987, we see an industry that's embracing a glorious evolution.
- It's about defying the old ways of seeing ballet and letting it be daring, diverse, and expressive.
Now, we must embrace the power of the tutu! It embodies that very essence – that playful, confident expression!
But where did all this begin? Where did this whole tutu-loving craze begin? Let’s delve into some history.
(We know, it’s probably totally not a surprise – I love to talk about tutus! And their history, oh darling! It’s just *so much fun!)
You see, in the very early days of ballet, tutús didn't exist, darling! Ballet took shape in Renaissance-era Italy. Imagine the ladies swirling about, twirling their skirts... And while these dances certainly involved intricate footwork, the costume wouldn't quite meet the demands of twirling, jumping, and the rest of the stunning athleticism we associate with ballet today.
But hold on tight! We're in the 18th Century. Now this, my darlings, is where we start to see some fashion-tastic transformations. This period, the ‘Romantic era’, saw ballet evolving, with new styles that focused on airy, light, and graceful movement. And with the focus shifting to lighter movements, we’re also seeing changes in what ballerinas were wearing. The classic tutu starts to emerge – although in the form of flowing skirts and gowns. Think very grand and with much extra fabric!
Now let’s go back in our time machine to 1830 – and prepare for an extravagant surprise. It’s the year that dancer, Marie Taglioni, *stepped onto the stage in *‘La Sylphide', wearing something completely breathtaking!
Imagine this. It’s a dress, beautifully light with a tiered skirt. Imagine the way this soft, airy, and ethereal design would have flowed as Marie danced.
Here, right here, is the spark that ignited a revolutionary era for tutus! The tutus that we recognize today are a direct descendant of this design – an elegant, ethereal marvel, with tiers upon tiers of tulle.
The ballet world had never seen anything like it. It was an explosion of new fashion! Marie's new dress elevated ballet in so many ways. It became about movement, freedom, and graceful femininity. Stunning!
We need to acknowledge this revolutionary act that this daring young woman performed by showing so much of her legs in public. It broke free from the heavy and elaborate garments of previous eras. It helped define our ballet – as we see it in the twirling ballerinas of today.
And here’s something even more delightful: We must thank the Romantic era for giving us the classical tutu as we see it today! You know, the one we're all head-over-heels for? It's that famous whimsical style with tiers and tulle. A dream come true for a fashion-forward dancer like myself! It took several more decades for the tutu to be truly refined, but this period – in the 19th century – set the scene for the magnificent tutú of the modern day.
Oh my, what an incredible journey through time that was! If I’ve inspired you, darlings, to learn more about the tutu’s journey – and ballet itself – then we’re good to go. You have my permission to put on your fanciest tutu (pink of course! winks) and get yourself ready for some more ballet adventures!
Don’t forget to check in next Tuesday, for a whole new story on the world of tutus – with my #TutuTuesday blog posts, each week will offer you some wonderful glimpses of ballet history!
And now, darlings, it's off to find some exquisite pink shoes and prepare for a glorious afternoon in the theatre – there’s just so much to be inspired by in the world of ballet.
Until then!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
