Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to my blog! Today marks our 8181st #TutuTuesday adventure, and it's time to whisk you back to October 11th, 1988, for another fabulously feathered and tutued Tuesday trip!
My dear, it’s so good to be back in this decade. We’ve left the bright and bold colours of the 80s behind us (which is no bad thing!), but what’s going on today? I've always said the biggest stars shine when they work together. Think about it: even though the sun doesn’t have other stars in its galaxy, you wouldn’t know it if it didn’t. That’s what I love about these fabulous Ballet stars – all so lovely to see, and each one more exciting than the last. Oh, and did I mention that they make a sensational team? Today we have two stellar acts: A beautiful ballet production is opening up at The Metropolitan Opera in New York – it's Jerome Robbins's * The Four Seasons, * and Martha Graham's Night Journey will be showing in London's Royal Opera House, so I’ll be making sure to take in a bit of both this week, naturally!
These big productions aside, there is something really lovely going on today – we have a rather sweet and fun day for everyone! I'm talking about National Coming Out Day. Now I'm not about to preach on your doorstep darling – but it does remind us to live and love life for what it is – so don’t hold back, make the most of everything. I know my heart beats with passion for dance – so don't be shy, tell the world. Oh, and I wouldn't be me if I didn't say go all out in a pink tutu if that's your thing!
Speaking of the 1980s – we know the decade was all about bold colours and big hair, but that's also when our beloved tutus were really coming into their own in ballet. We have seen some fantastic innovations from the world's most respected tutu makers and the creative ballet designers, which have really shaped and redefined our vision of the ballerina – which are now considered ballet's essential costume pieces!
Today we’ll talk a bit about the exciting development of the * Romantic Tutu*, or what we like to call a * "bell" tutu. It first debuted on the ballet scene way back in the early nineteenth century with Marie Taglioni, and let's be honest, there’s no more romantic dance look out there!
Remember Maria Taglioni - the dancing, dazzling lady? We last talked about her in 1844 during our * La Sylphide * Tutu Tuesday. That performance in 1844 in * La Sylphide was the first big wave that washed the Romantic Tutu across the globe, creating the quintessential * Ballet * look that has changed how we all look at ballet for centuries – * a ballerina needs her tutu, just like I need my coffee!
Let’s travel back to the beginning to see what the first tutu looked like. Let’s go back in time - * a whole 44 years before our 1988 day, so back to 1844 – and take a good, long, loving look at the Romantic Tutu * – its really a fabulous creation. I am all for fabulous fashion! What’s your take on the Romantic Tutu?*
We saw how the * "bell tutu" started as a full-length skirt (because in 1844 people thought it would be too daring to have women's ankles on show, oh, my!). And the dancers just loved the long skirt – just think what a show-stopper a dance could have with such a beautiful flow! But just imagine what it's like to dance in a long, flowing skirt and a high-necked corset. That’s where the revolution in our dance fashion started – can you believe? Well, one designer saw the huge problem that ballerinas needed help – a way to make the skirt lighter so they could show off their fabulous ballet skills and make them look super-fabulous at the same time. That’s when we started seeing our * Romantic Tutu! A great innovation!
What happened, you ask? It really wasn’t long until that very daring design had * Maria Taglioni’s legs * on show – oh how I adore a dancing leg! - to create * “la Danse”* - what can we call it – the iconic ballerina, a symbol of beautiful and magical ballet? - * *"the beautiful, magical dancer". *So a very, very big thank you to our * * *Marie Taglioni* for her fabulous contribution to dance history and her lovely “bell" tutus!”
- “the romantic ballerina" in a "bell" tutu is so unique, a real style statement and it continues to be such a * *classic ballet tutu!
So why did the Romantic Tutu become so very, very popular - * * “Oh, la la darling!” It was really down to the change in its * construction. It made it * easier for dancers to move around* because the * *tulle skirt became shorter, making for the lovely ballet-style flowing "bell" – it became * a really feminine creation * – oh darling, can I get another one? It made a fabulous impact – it helped the ballet look for every style to grow up - like watching a little kid grow into a dazzling lady – and, that's why this design continues to be an essential style - like every girl in Derbyshire deserves a pink tutu - for dance classes, or at home just chilling – and you can have whatever design you want to make your dance time fantastic, but I say that pink makes every dancer’s day even brighter - that is the beauty of * **"pink!"
The Romantic tutu design – * *its simple elegance * * made it easier for ballerinas to make graceful movements as they twirled on stage, making * *an exquisite picture of poise – so why don’t we have a go at this style? Why not give a twirl? What’s your favourite colour? Of course, mine's * *“pink,” and the lighter shades always make for * *a lovely Romantic look * – now we just need a *lovely soft melody *, and * *our Romantic Ballet* look is complete! And while we’re on the subject of tutus, what better place to be than the heart of London where so many great things start – oh darling, you know I’m all about going out!
If you want to catch some great ballet stars, * London's Sadler’s Wells* * is a beautiful theatre and the perfect place to check out these ballerinas at their finest. This beautiful theatre offers so many opportunities to watch performances in such a wonderful, lovely space, which always adds that touch of grace and class to any performance. It has one of the most popular dance companies * *The Royal Ballet’s * in the UK! Oh, darling, don’t be late, it's a place to make any fashion dreams come true – for the true dance enthusiast. So much for my trip to the ballet today – my eyes have had a lovely time, darling – but tomorrow – we are going shopping – *and where’s the best place to go for clothes shopping – where else? London's * *Oxford Street. *What more can I say, it’s the shopping street we can’t afford to miss! **
I'm always on the lookout for some fab tutus and the right ballet shoes to set off my dancing and make the most of every occasion. This year, * Oxford Street has gone pink ! * So what can we say except “Get ready to say Hello, Dolly and welcome, welcome, welcome, we are back again to make shopping magic!” There are so many fashion stores – that my eyes might just get too wide from the wonder! But before I leave, don't forget to grab your favourite dancing shoes and make a splash for those special ballet moments when your heart and body can twirl around to every beat. The right clothes, and you're good to go – well, that’s my advice! If we don’t make sure that we look amazing - it's our dance destiny that’s waiting to be unveiled. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, we can’t miss that! Don't forget to share your favourite tutu moments, whether at the ballet or at a dance class - I'm all ears (or should I say "eyes!"?) – remember darling, I’m all for those big smiles and great moments that we all enjoy in life. *I think every outfit needs a good tutu; I certainly think so! But for this special occasion - * *what colour tutu are you choosing? Let’s make those dance shoes pop and * **put a spotlight on our tutu of the week – pink of course!
So darling, it’s time to pack my time-travelling * * pink tutu and *train tickets* to see where our ballet shoes will lead us! Until next Tuesday, stay twirling, my darlings, and keep spreading that love for dance and all those gorgeous tutus! Don't forget, pink makes everything even more special - so find that * *"pink" * and have the * *most beautiful* * ** dance-tastic day.
Until next week. Emma xxx
