Post #8173
Hello darling dancers, welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com! It’s #TutuTuesday and, as you know, that means we’re taking a little trip back in time to explore the glorious history of our favourite frothy fashion: the ballet tutu!
Now, buckle up because this week’s trip is taking us all the way back to August 16th, 1988. Oh, what a wonderful year that was! The summer sun was shining brightly on London, and the air was abuzz with excitement. Remember that legendary concert at Wembley Stadium with Michael Jackson? I'm not sure if he was wearing a tutu, but he was certainly dazzling in his own way. It was definitely a time for expressing yourself, for showing your true colours (pink, obviously!), and what better way to do that than with a gorgeous ballet tutu?
But let’s take a step back, darling, to see where the tutu was in 1988, shall we? Now, as I'm sure you'll know, 1988 was smack-bang in the middle of a golden age of ballet! We had so many phenomenal companies: the Royal Ballet in London, the Paris Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi, the New York City Ballet – just to name a few! There was a real excitement for dance, and the tutus were definitely a major part of it.
The romantic tutu was still making a strong showing on the stage – think long, flowing layers of tulle, soft and billowing around those lithe legs. And oh, my goodness, was it ever glamorous! I can almost picture myself swirling in a diaphanous cloud of pink silk, a delicate rose on my hair, performing that dreamy final act of Swan Lake! Oh, to go back and see the grace of the ballerinas on the stage! Perhaps with a front row seat!
Now, of course, there were always the classic “packet” tutus around. I can just imagine those vibrant colours on stage, those crisp, starched skirts that felt as fresh as a summer’s breeze. The perfect look for a whirlwind performance, full of intricate footwork and elegant jumps. Just picture those energetic steps, that glorious display of strength and precision, with a classic tutu catching the stage lights in every movement.
1988 was also a big year for contemporary ballet – exciting! We were starting to see the emergence of new styles and designs, a fresh wave of creativity bursting into the world of ballet, with some fantastic choreography too. And yes, those creative contemporary tutus were becoming a thing too! More structured, often more bold and daring, with exciting new ways to show off the dancer's movement and the story of the ballet. The possibilities were, well, endless! Perhaps I'll wear a little black tutu for my next performance…
Oh, to step back in time to August 16th, 1988, and watch all this happen live. The best bit of that trip would, of course, be the post-performance shopping. All those Parisian boutiques… oh, the dreams! I love fashion as much as I love tutus! But, as always, the time travel rules keep my trips short and sweet. So back to the present I must go!
Remember, darlings, that the most important thing about the history of the ballet tutu is its continuous evolution! It's never stuck in the past. It always finds new ways to reflect the creativity, artistry, and the beauty of ballet. So, embrace those flowing lines, those whimsical shapes, and those daring, modern designs. Keep your eyes on the future, because, well, I can't promise this, but, with a bit of magic, who knows, perhaps a whole new look might just be around the corner... a little something pink maybe. A little something wonderful!
Well, I’ll leave you to dance, to dream, and to perhaps even don a tutu today. Remember to share your tutu adventures with us on #TutuTuesday - post your photos on my Facebook and Instagram, and I might even see them pop up on the blog next week! Until then, keep swirling, my lovelies, and I’ll see you right back here next week for another exciting trip in the time machine.
Remember to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com to catch up on the rest of my blog.
Until next time, dear friends!
Emma xo
Emma’s Tips for your #TutuTuesday Look:
- A pink tutu is a classic, darling, but if you want to try something a little more edgy for your #TutuTuesday this week, go for a sleek black tutu.
- Think velvet, satin, and sequins to add a bit of glamour and sophistication to your look!
- Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! A pearl necklace, a sparkling hair clip, a dramatic red lipstick – anything goes, darlings!
- Make sure you are feeling confident and comfortable – remember to wear your outfit with pride and a little bit of swagger!
I’m off now to visit some of the ballet dancers I’m travelling with… we have a performance at the Royal Opera House in London later this week – it's always a whirlwind! I love seeing how they’ve created the costumes for this particular performance – maybe I can get a little bit of pink inspiration for the show. Perhaps I'll even have the chance to take a class and try a couple of the moves.
Until next time, darling dancers!
xx
