Hello my gorgeous darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday! This week, we're taking a time-travelling trip back to 1989 - oh, the fabulousness of that decade! Buckle up, darlings, this one is going to be a whirlwind!
For those who may be new to Pink Tutu, allow me to introduce myself - I'm a true ballet-obsessed lass from Derbyshire, England. And since you ask, the 80s is my happy place! This whole "vintage" look that's been cropping up recently? Pure fashion gold! Just look at those shoulder pads! I swear, they were practically built for my ballerina posture!
Speaking of ballet, darling! I had a smashing weekend at Covent Garden! They were performing "Giselle" - I tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, the ending is absolutely heartbreaking, don't you agree? But my favourite bit? The sheer brilliance of the costumes - especially the tutus! And speaking of tutus, today, I'm diving into the history of our favourite frock - specifically what was happening in 1989!
Now, for our history lesson, itās important to know this: 1989 wasn't a year for grand fashion revolutions, dear readers. More like a subtle evolution of trends, think of it like a ballerina gently stretching out before a grand finale, okay?
But what happened in the tutu world you ask? Well, let's just say there was a certain elegance and refined grace present on stage and off. It wasnāt about flamboyance, dearies, it was about the little details, those delicate layers, the intricate beadingā¦ oh, the artistry!
On the stage, we saw the traditional tutus holding their ground - think classic Romantics and the lovely lightness of the pas de deux in Swan Lake. However, what was happening in the ateliers, those magic sewing rooms, were shifts ā whisper it, a new emphasis on softness and drape. It wasn't about hard lines and structure; instead, you had tutus with beautiful layers that flowed like water! Imagine those dancers gliding across the stage with almost weightless tutus, absolute poetry in motion, don't you think?
This focus on softness and elegance went hand-in-hand with what was happening on the high streets too. There were two key looks in 1989 - the minimalist silhouette (think dresses and skirts skimming the body), and the softer take on the iconic 80s power shoulder, a touch less bulky this time around. You could say that both these trends influenced the tutus on stage - and trust me, dearie, there was a lot of tutu inspiration happening that way, you can't see a show without picturing it on yourself, can you?
You see, the 1980s saw a reawakening in terms of appreciating the history and significance of tutus. This was not a revolution, but an appreciation for that heritage, a reimagining of that timeless beauty, with a fresh twist. In 1989, I'm sensing this reinterpretation happening in an era of refinement. *Remember those 1989 ballet tutus? A touch more modest than their 80s forebears but no less lovely. Just look at that detail, that beading! *
It wasnāt all tutus, darling. Weāre not talking just about one single type, like our famous pink ballerina tutus (oh yes, I must have a little vanity every now and then)! Weāre talking about all tutus, every kind, and 1989 saw quite the array! Imagine ballet tutus as variations in your wardrobe - something special for every occasion - a bit like our modern-day outfits - the perfect tutus for rehearsals, the grand one for the stage, and then the everyday-looking but comfortable one that gives your tutu-clad figure all the freedom for your day's work - because life is a ballet, right, darlings?!
But if you're looking for inspiration - a good dose of tutu love - I can highly recommend going back in time. There are some fantastic museums across the globe. Oh darling, one in particular caught my eye while on a time travelling trip last year... letās just say a little trip back to the Paris Opera House is worth more than a hundred tutorials about those modern-day tutu trends. You know what? Some things never go out of fashion. Itās an investment for sure. Just picture it: an afternoon with a hot chocolate, admiring the elegance, the simplicity, of a 1989 tutu. Ah, perfection!
So dear reader, what is on for April 11th, 1989 you ask? Letās rewind togetherā¦ Ah yes, this particular date is packed with artistic inspiration! Wouldnāt it be lovely to dance the night away, the 11th of April 1989? You know, with those stunning, light tutusā¦and in 1989, there was the āMiss Saigonā performance at the Broadway Theater in New York - imagine those costumes! Fabulous!
To say we love our tutu history at Pink Tutu would be a huge understatement. Remember, the magic of tutus is all around you, darlings! Whether you're at the theatre, in the ballet studio, or just browsing through your favorite online store. So wear your pink tutu proudly, celebrate your inner ballerina, and stay fabulous.
Until next Tuesday, my darling darlings. Remember, the world's your stage!
XOXO Emma
Pink-Tutu.com
