Hiya, fellow twirlers! It's Emma, your Pink Tutu Correspondent, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another exciting journey through the History of the Ballet Tutu! Today weâre taking a whirl back to the summer of 1988. Hold onto your tiaras, darlings, because things are about to get very sparkly!
Now, before we begin, I've gotta admit I'm feeling a bit extra nostalgic today. Not only is it Tutu Tuesday, but it's also a particularly important date for this pink-loving ballerina.
1988 was a monumental year, you see, a time when London - that glorious city of stage and street theatre, of music and magnificent shops - was buzzing. The entire nation was glued to the telly, and even a girl like me, glued to the ballet, was following every twist and turn. That summer saw the birth of something BIG, but weâll get to that in just a minute.
I'm picturing myself arriving in London this very week - what a treat! Just picture the scene: steam train puffing in, me in my blush pink tutu and matching ballet flats, rushing through King's Cross Station, the iconic Victorian clocks ticking away above me⌠And whatâs that scent? Ooh, yes, freshly-baked pasties at a charming little cafe just around the corner - that'll be my pit-stop!
Speaking of iconic places, Londonâs Royal Opera House is always on my to-do list. It's just brimming with history - from the opulent grandeur to the soaring voices, itâs enough to make any ballerina swoon. I bet, if I went to the ROH back in '88, I might've even spotted Dame Margot Fonteyn, that magnificent, graceful queen of ballet!
Of course, back in â88, my primary goal wouldnât be all that different from today. Where to get the perfect pink tutu for this very important event? And speaking of events, I'm feeling that je ne sais quoi... you know, the magic that comes with finding a spectacular pink tutu for a special occasion.
Oh, but back to what made this year so important! In June of '88, something truly special happened⌠a new breed of tutus emerged onto the scene. Weâre not talking about your average Romantic Tutu, but something much bolder. You might know what I'm talking about, dear readers: it was a time when ballet moved, literally moved, to the sound of rock and roll!
Yes, thatâs right, tutus on the streets - in fact, this was the year of the world premiere of the phenomenal, unforgettable Bill Forsythâs film Dangerous Liaisons, a masterpiece of 18th-century Parisian intrigue, brought to life with absolutely gorgeous, intricate costumes, each more extravagant than the last. Oh, and did I mention lots of exquisite, perfectly layered, powder pink tulle?
Think of it - delicate and dramatic at the same time, with an elegant, timeless silhouette. And that pink! Oh, how it truly exemplified the essence of Romantic femininity. But don't get me wrong, these werenât your fluffy, wispy Cinderella type tutus!
This film wasnât about saccharine sweet innocence - this was power and seduction at its finest, a daring tale about dangerous, complex relationships wrapped in a symphony of the senses!
In my opinion, those Liaisons tutus were absolute perfection. So elegant and bold, delicate yet empowering. Imagine me on that famous Parisian stage with the magnificent palace and grand opera house in the background. Just the right amount of sheer drama for that magnificent historical setting - perfect for those long, sweeping, almost hypnotic waltz sequences. And, if we're talking Parisian flair, can you imagine those tutus paired with a sassy little beret and some sparkly red pumps? Oh, to be twirling under those golden Parisian street lamps with that romantic background music playing⌠I simply must see that film again soon!
Okay, let's dive back to 1988 and rewind those timelines for a moment. Remember the '80s? Those power suits and shoulder pads - oh my! Even back then, tutus found their way onto the fashion scene. A little dash of fairytale sprinkled in with that whole âglam rockâ thing, which had everyone wanting a piece of the sparkly pie. From New York to London to Tokyo, fashion was obsessed with Neon Lights and a touch of magic, just like a ballet!
Back in the late '80s, the tutu wasn't just reserved for those who loved the ballet, oh no. It was all over pop culture - tutus on record sleeves, on posters in record shops, even appearing in a music video or two. They were an embodiment of fantasy - even the more ârebelliousâ crowd seemed drawn to the beauty of tulle!
It was all about taking a classical symbol of beauty and grace and adding that rock ânâ roll vibe, giving it a punk edge!
Do you remember Madonnaâs âLike a Prayerâ video? Well, not only was she rocking the iconic cone bra (remember that!), but her back-up dancers also flaunted a mix of ballet-inspired costumes and tutu-inspired pieces. The video was controversial back in the day but still, it proved that even in a world full of Madonnaâs bold choices, tutus held their place as symbols of glamour.
This kind of hybridity is fascinating, don't you think? Here you have pop culture embracing an ancient art form, a collision of creative minds resulting in something truly special.
Now, back to the world of ballet! Do you remember what else happened that summer of 1988? Oh yes, that year the world was introduced to the one, the only Mikhail Baryshnikov, the phenomenal âGod of Danceâ! (Now, don't get me wrong, my dear readers, the Ballet world always had icons like Margot Fonteyn, but there was something truly magnetic about Baryshnikov, his magnetism was practically superhuman!)
This was a huge deal for ballet! The world got to witness his breathtaking performances at The Royal Opera House, captivating audiences with his mesmerizing skill, his charisma... that grace that left everyone in awe.
I even read somewhere, that, during that same year, Baryshnikov decided to take on the role of artistic director for American Ballet Theatre, making a splash and a change in that artistic community. That same year he also joined with the American Ballet Theatre's choreographer and director Kevin McKenzie, for a re-staging of Giselle â quite the ballet coup, wouldnât you say?!
So, back in â88, even with the emergence of pop cultureâs intense passion for tutus, even with Madonnaâs* and *Baryshnikovâs moves taking centre stage, ballet as we know it, kept flourishing. Thatâs one thing I truly love about ballet â *itâs timeless.
But you know what else I love, even more than ballet (maybe just a smidgen!), is discovering new tutus and all the unique styles that come with the tutus, you know, like this fun fashion mix of tutu and shoulder pads! Can you imagine the look? Oh my, what a fabulous concoction that would be!
What did you love about 1988? Let me know in the comments section below and tell me about your tutu picks of the year. And donât forget, darlings, next Tutu Tuesday, we'll be dancing our way through another historical highlight!
Stay sparkling and keep twirling!
Emma
P.S. Make sure you check out the amazing selection of pink tutus on www.pink-tutu.com - it's the perfect place to find a special tutu for any occasion. We have the latest styles and all the shades of pink your heart could desire!
