Hey darlings, and welcome to #TutuTuesday! I’m Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and as always, we’re taking a spin through history, exploring the fabulous world of the ballet tutu!
This week, we’re travelling to a magical place… 1988, April 5th to be exact!
I’m not going to lie, this trip was divine! Think 80’s power shoulders, leggings under everything, and oh, the music! Remember "You Give Love a Bad Name?" Pure perfection, I say! I may have just found a new go-to tune for my next barre class – perfect for those tricky relevés, wouldn't you say?
Now, let’s get back to the important stuff: the tutus! 1988 was a thrilling time for ballet, and trust me, the costumes were as exciting as the moves.
I had the privilege of watching the Royal Ballet in London. Oh, those perfect pliés, those leaps so high they nearly reached the chandelier! But more importantly, I was simply smitten with the tutus. The designs were quite a mix: elegant classic tutus alongside a few daring modern numbers with an almost punk rock feel to them! I loved how some were even styled with brightly coloured fabrics and feathers. Who wouldn’t be swept away by such whimsy?!
And wouldn't you know it, there was even a delightful production of Swan Lake, with a captivating Tchaikovsky score that sent chills down my spine. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire evening, especially at those stunning white swan tutus, each one with an absolutely perfect feather detail. I even got to visit a fantastic little costume shop in Covent Garden. Just think: the very shop that could have created some of the beautiful tutus I had just seen! What a dream! It’s the small things in life that make me happy.
Of course, no ballet adventure would be complete without a little shopping. So, what did my wardrobe acquire from 1988? It’s not easy finding tutus for a Derbyshire gal like me, but I managed to snag a gorgeous sequined leotard, complete with a matching headband, that just screams “1988 glamour!”. Just imagine: me on the platform, at Victoria Station, looking totally chic and effortlessly elegant – not a hair out of place, a classic red leather handbag slung over my shoulder and those bright tights perfectly complementing my 80's themed outfit! (Now, let's be real - my train journey is usually more of a haphazard sprint, desperately trying to catch a seat while trying to ensure my perfectly placed curls don't get messed up!)
What really blows my mind is that a classic tutu, like the ones you might have seen in 1988, has been a cornerstone of ballet for over 150 years! And this kind of fashion is timeless! You could wear it right now and still be considered fashionable. Can you imagine having an entire wardrobe dedicated to the timeless beauty of the tutu?! How much fun would that be!
So, remember, ladies (and gentlemen!), embracing the ballet tutu is about celebrating not just dance, but also history, creativity, and pure elegance.
Oh, and don’t forget, check out www.pink-tutu.com to see my other posts. I’m here every Tuesday with another #TutuTuesday, sharing new adventures and incredible stories of ballet history!
Remember to keep it stylish and twirl on, darling! Until next time!
Your pink tutu aficionado, Emma xx
P.S. It’s so important to remember that even though a tutu looks very pretty and romantic, there is a huge amount of dedication and hard work needed for every performance! So next time you are at a show, give your warmest applause for the artists you've just seen! After all, the performers need every ounce of applause we can give them! They spend their whole lives perfecting their technique and strength - the next time you are at a performance, let your applause speak volumes!
