Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, back again for another dazzling edition of Ballet Tutu History, the blog dedicated to celebrating the magical history of these gorgeous, swirling beauties. This week, we're taking a trip back in time to a particularly iconic year - 1988! Buckle up, my dears, for a whirlwind tour of ballet history.
I’m just back from a glorious weekend in Paris! Ooh, I could never tire of that city! You know, you can just about feel the fashion history vibrating in the air - and oh, the gorgeous clothes! You should have seen my new purchases! So many new pink additions to my wardrobe - a soft pink blouse to add a touch of girlishness to a skirt, and a breathtaking bubblegum pink silk dress which just calls out for a twirl. I also finally treated myself to a pair of beautiful blush pink shoes, and let’s not forget that divine rose quartz pink ballet bag which is simply perfect for ballet classes. And of course, I managed to squeeze in some ballet shows at the Palais Garnier. The beauty of the dance - the swirling tutus - so magical! It's easy to see why Paris is a favourite destination for fashionistas and tutu-lovers alike. I'm so lucky that I can afford all these lovely treats by giving performances around the world - dancing on stage with my own pink tutu, of course.
But let’s get back to today’s historical dive.
So, on 8th March, 1988, the world was watching Mikhail Baryshnikov and his American Ballet Theatre in their opening night performance at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Can you imagine? It must have been incredible! You can practically hear the gasps of awe in the auditorium as the dance begins. This was the beginning of the troupe's US spring tour - a major event in the ballet calendar. You'd better believe there were pink tutus galore on stage and in the audience! I would love to see a photo of the event - a real taste of tutu history.
This was a year of big change, not just in the world of ballet, but in the world in general. Think back, if you will, to 1988, a time when everything felt different. Think Cold War, Madonna’s music making the charts, a certain American president (no names mentioned!), and so many exciting, ever-changing developments on the fashion scene - oh my! It was a time when people were embracing new ideas and a time when fashion was at the forefront of new change and expression. And right at the heart of all that was a very familiar accessory: the tutu.
As we travel back to March 1988, we'll find ballet tutus starting to evolve too, becoming bolder and brighter. They embraced a trend for the dramatic, with layers of tulle in more dynamic styles. The tutu was now an important part of storytelling, reflecting the wider social change going on in the world. That's the thing I love most about tutus - they can tell stories too, even if it’s just about the ballerina's dreamlike movement.
In those days, tutus still played a large role in performances like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle, those well-known classics, the backbone of traditional ballets. But, as I mentioned, ballet, and tutus, were ready for some new adventures. We were seeing more experimental forms of ballet and an increasingly open approach to the dance in those years, the 1980s. New dancers, new choreography - and, of course, new tutus designed to capture the movement of modern dance in the boldest way!
You know, when I travel around, attending shows in the past and seeing how the dance developed, it fills me with wonder at the history of ballet, its origins, and the many influences it has undergone, particularly in the era of those bold 1980s styles. Of course, what's always fascinating to me, and my mission, is exploring those beautiful tutus, those dancing swirls of tulle that become so much more than mere stage dress - they truly embody the power and beauty of ballet itself!
There’s also so much fascinating tutu history right here in my home Derbyshire. There's nothing quite like the sense of magic when you're in the middle of a stunning performance - you really get that full experience and truly appreciate how important a tutu is. In fact, we have our very own Derbieshire ballerina - Darcey Bussell - a real inspiration to aspiring dancers everywhere, showing us what can be achieved with talent, hard work and dedication! Who knows, maybe you have your very own ballet stars in your midst. Perhaps it's your child or even yourself!
Speaking of ballet stars, you just have to remember the gorgeous Rudolf Nureyev - his graceful leaps in that timeless white tutu still bring goosebumps to my arms every time. Such elegant strength in the simplest white costume - that’s why tutus have such power to capture the imagination!
Don’t forget that our mission on Pink-Tutu.com is to celebrate all tutu-related delights and to inspire everyone, everywhere, to rock their own pink tutus. So, join the revolution - put on your tutu - pink or any colour you like, of course - and get twirling! Embrace the joy and joy and embrace those fantastic colours, the dance, the movement, and feel that spirit of ballet, even if it’s just a little pirouette around your living room! You could even write a ballet of your own, using the magic of your tutu as inspiration!
But let’s get back to our time travel! What's exciting about time travel with my Tutu Tuesday Blog is that I get to step into history to find inspiration for the current season! In 1988, the tutu became all about boldness, and this trend lives on in contemporary design, with tulle and beautiful fabrics being used to create exciting modern styles that we can embrace now.
Next week I’ll be bringing you more tutu-licious discoveries from 1988, so be sure to join me. Don’t forget to follow us on social media, and keep your gorgeous twirling tutus at the ready. It’s tutu-time, baby!
Until then, keep those pink tutus spinning! 💖
Love,
Emma
xx
