#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1989-04-25

Hello my darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another Tuesday instalment of your favourite Ballet Tutu History series. As ever, I’m your fashionably-inclined time-travelling blogger, Emma, and this week we’re dipping our toes (well, my sparkly pink pointe shoes) into the world of ballet back in 1989!

Goodness, 1989 feels like a lifetime ago, and my oh my, what a glorious era of fashion it was. Remember shoulder pads, scrunchies, and those fabulous neon colours? Honestly, I could get lost in a vintage shop filled with 80s gems for days. But let's not forget about the stars of the show – tutus!

Today, we’re travelling back to the fabulous 25th of April 1989! Did anyone else wear those crazy neon leg warmers with their ballet leotard back in the day? Oh, those were the days, and today, we'll explore the history of ballet tutus in relation to that fabulous fashion era!

Before we journey to 1989, let's quickly reminisce about the evolution of this most magnificent piece of attire. Back in the 1800s, ballet dancers didn't have the gloriously fluffy tutus we see today. Instead, they wore simple, knee-length, romantic dresses made of layered, white muslin fabric. But when the divine Marie Taglioni (you all know her!) swept onto the stage in 1832 wearing that groundbreaking “La Sylphide” tutu… well, it revolutionized the world of ballet fashion! Imagine her graceful steps highlighted by that airy, beautiful design! This gave rise to the short, form-fitting tutu, and that iconic shape has been captivating us ever since.

And here we are, stepping into a world full of pastel pink (my favourite!), power suits, and a definite feel of glamour! Oh, how I adore the fashion of the late 80s. A world that allowed us to express our inner princesses – tutus, shoulder pads, bright colors, it's all so magical.

To tell you the truth, on 25th April, 1989, there were a whole host of ballet events happening, from dazzling performances by legends like Mikhail Baryshnikov, to captivating workshops across the globe. It’s a time that felt very modern for dance, a period when creativity flourished, and a time I wish I could have danced in myself. It was an incredible time for ballet – for both performance and the incredible fashion surrounding it. Just picture those glorious pink tutus with sparkly accents – a truly enchanting visual.

Speaking of visual spectacle, remember "Dirty Dancing?” That iconic movie came out in 1987 and it ignited a dance craze worldwide. You’d have been seeing those classic lifts, the breathtaking dancing, and let’s not forget the glorious fashion - it was pure 80s glamour at its best! It's hard not to imagine the dancers perfecting their technique in beautiful, pink, 80s inspired tutus while training!

Now, how exciting is this – this same 25th of April 1989 is a particularly notable day for the world of ballet! Let’s dive into why! It’s the birthday of the extraordinary Misty Copeland! A true modern-day ballet icon, she's inspired so many young dancers, myself included. She embodies the power and grace of ballet – and her rise to success shows us all what is possible when you follow your dreams. And I’m not just talking about ballet; she's a force of positivity in so many areas.

Did you know, 1989 also brought some stunning ballets that brought joy and delight to millions around the globe? It's no surprise that it’s the era that introduced us to a beautiful wave of ballerina fashion - tutus galore!

Oh, how I yearn to have time travelled back to see a performance of "The Nutcracker," "Sleeping Beauty,” or "Swan Lake" back then! There’s just a special, captivating quality about a good ballet, it’s about far more than just the music, the story and the dancing! I am a huge fan of the ballet costumes too. Oh, my dreams of tutus are so full of gorgeous color, beautiful layers, and those elegant and graceful ribbons! I do believe my inner ballerina was practically bursting with glee while designing this blog post!

This incredible year was packed with fashion – we are talking leggings, leotards, those wonderful sparkly ballet shoes, and a dazzling variety of accessories that just bring the “oooh la la!” factor. My friends and I have had countless ballet themed nights, even in our time travelling, trying on old dance outfits. Imagine all the fun back then! But my favourite look has to be the simple, stylish elegance of a ballerina dressed in a gorgeous pink tutu - that iconic combination of grace, artistry and timeless fashion just always makes me want to twirl!

This #TutuTuesday, I hope we’ve ignited a sense of the magic found in the evolution of the tutu! Every single one is a testament to the power of fashion and the creativity of the world of ballet. The journey of the ballet tutu is fascinating - its graceful steps, captivating styles and timeless appeal continues to make us all want to dance with joy. I can't wait to journey to another tutu-licious era next week! Until then, remember my dear readers - never forget to spread a little bit of magic, grace and, of course, lots of pink!

Lots of love and twirls, Emma xx