Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and it's #TutuTuesday again! Get those twirls ready, grab your teacup (mine's filled with chamomile and lavender today), and let's journey back to August 8th, 1989.
I just had the most divine experience - a ballet performance in the stunning Palais Garnier in Paris. I just love that building - the grandeur, the opulence! And let's not forget the intricate detail on the tutus - each a masterpiece! Now, back to our date in history...
Imagine it, darlings! The year is 1989. Madonna's "Like a Prayer" is topping the charts, the Berlin Wall is coming down, and a little something called the internet is slowly but surely creeping into the world. We've got neon colours and leggings making a statement, shoulder pads adding some drama to outfits, and whisper it the dreaded perm is still quite a popular hairstyle.
But amidst this 80s frenzy, a graceful world exists - the world of ballet!
And in that world, tutus are going through an exciting evolution. You see, dear readers, we've just had a huge ballet-tastic leap in terms of materials.
Imagine this, darlings - gone are the heavy, cumbersome tutus of yore, and we're stepping into the age of lighter, more flexible fabrics. Can you imagine a more fabulous leap?! Now, even the most delicate and intricate tutu design can float like a dream on the stage, all thanks to these fabulous new materials.
Of course, we still have those beautiful classical tutu shapes, the Romantic tutu, with its cascading layers, and the tutu-en-pied with its graceful sweeping lines - timeless classics indeed! But the exciting part is - new styles are popping up all over the place! Designers are now daring to push the boundaries, creating tutus that are bold and exciting, whilst still respecting the traditional lines of a beautiful tutu.
Think daringly bright colours, contrasting fabrics, and unique cuts and styles. We're seeing tutu variations like the "bouffant" which has a delightful fluffy, rounded shape - think whimsical clouds on a dancefloor. There's also the "flared" tutu, which adds drama with its dramatic silhouette, almost as if the dancers are embracing the power of the wind with every step.
Of course, dear readers, we mustn't forget that classic "paillette" tutu with its thousands of tiny sequins - shimmering and glittering like a galaxy! You wouldn't find me at a performance without one! It's my personal belief that if it sparkles, it's instantly fabulous!
As I've wandered around Paris, it's truly been fascinating to see the influence of modern trends on ballet fashion. These days, designers are taking inspiration from fashion shows, everyday wear, and even street style! We're seeing "grungier" styles mixed in with those elegant traditional tutu looks, creating truly unique, exciting performances.
But back to our journey through 1989. We need to celebrate some exciting debuts, because dear readers, a brand-new, amazing talent just hit the stage!
This year saw a remarkable ballerina Cynthia Harvey join the prestigious New York City Ballet - quite the milestone, wouldn't you agree? You see, dear readers, ballet is like a world unto itself - full of traditions, etiquette, and almost unwritten rules! And a newcomer who manages to charm and impress so quickly - well, it’s quite a triumph!
The ballet world was buzzing! Now, darling, that Cynthia Harvey - she’s not just a phenomenal dancer - she is one of the leading women in dance, one of those beautiful people who help shape the future of ballet. I hear she was dancing "Cinderella" and it’s rumoured that she just took the stage by storm! Swoon
While the 1989 ballet world was alive and well, in a little corner of Derbyshire, a young girl was mesmerised watching ballet shows on TV - that girl was me! You see, my darling readers, back in the days before smartphones and the endless ballet content on YouTube, you were truly limited to what you could find on television. So to say I devoured every performance with utter joy would be a gross understatement.
It's from those very television sets that I first fell head over heels for ballet! My mum loved taking me to see performances at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. But those TV performances became like a gateway drug for me - swoon a lifetime spent in the ballet world. From there I dreamed, darlings - big dreams! The dreams that brought me here today, in this fabulous pink tutu, ready to travel through time to share with you the glorious history of the dance I hold most dear.
Don't forget, I post a new #TutuTuesday blog every week! I also love to see your thoughts, ideas and especially pictures of your fabulous tutus in the comments section!
Until next Tuesday, stay tres chic darlings,
Love,
Emma xoxo
