Hello my gorgeous darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, my weekly ode to the wonder that is the ballet tutu! Today, I’m whisking us back to a time of feathered hair and shoulder pads – September 6th, 1988, to be precise. This date is brimming with ballerina magic!
I know what you’re thinking, “1988?!” but hold your horses, my loves, because this is no ordinary year for tutus. It’s the year we were graced with The Royal Ballet's premiere of Kenneth MacMillan's glorious masterpiece “Manon”, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Imagine, a whole performance dedicated to a classic love story told in swirling tutus, grand jetés and pure grace – what’s not to adore?!
Now, let’s delve into the enchanting world of tutus from 1988. It’s all about the dramatic. Think full, layered skirts that give a magnificent impression of whimsical, free-flowing motion. Just picturing the corps de ballet twirling and leaping with their billowing tulle is making my heart skip a beat! Speaking of "whimsical", it wouldn't be the 1980s without some serious bold colour. Think shades of purple, azure blue, and even a pop of shocking pink (for a daring dancer).
Of course, no tutu journey is complete without talking about the legendary tutus of this era’s famous ballerinas. From the effortless grace of Sylvie Guillem to the powerful, emotional expressiveness of Darcey Bussell, these dancers pushed the boundaries of tutu artistry and took ballet to a whole new level. These elegant ladies knew how to wear a tutu with poise, style and a touch of sheer drama. I mean, let's be honest, they practically made it look like a piece of couture!
Now, on the fashion side of things, September 6th, 1988, was all about those glorious oversized blazers, brightly coloured leggings and neon headbands! It was the height of the era’s fashion with an emphasis on bright colours and even brighter, more expressive looks! A pink tutu paired with a statement piece of clothing was a showstopper in its own right, I tell you! Imagine a chic neon yellow biker jacket or a bold geometric print dress with your beloved pink tutu? Fashion perfection, wouldn't you agree?
On this special TutuTuesday, I found myself gazing through a vintage shop window at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham, when I spotted a pair of glorious 1980s leg warmers. You see, my friends, the allure of a time travel trip doesn’t always lie in seeing history's most famous ballets. Sometimes, the charm is in finding a little piece of fashion history that whispers stories of a bygone era. I, of course, scooped them up! I had to wear them, didn’t I?! I do like my leg warmers!
I hope this week's #TutuTuesday has inspired you all to go out there and dance your heart out. Maybe even pull out your old leg warmers for a blast from the past!
Do keep an eye on your local theatre, for next week's #TutuTuesday, I’ll be taking a peek at some amazing ballet shows that are coming up. It will be a whirlwind of elegance, grace and just a touch of fabulous.
Remember, every day is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the ballet tutu and remember that with every twirl and pirouette, we’re a step closer to living our lives in the radiant pink glow of a perfect tutu!
Till next Tuesday, darlings! Stay fabulous, wear pink, and always believe in the power of a tutu!
XOXO,
Emma
