Hello, darling Tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you back to the glorious year of 1989. Today, on our #TutuTuesday journey, we're not just diving into the history of ballet, but we're taking a trip down memory lane to discover how tutus have danced their way into the fabric of fashion!
As the hot summer sun poured over Derbyshire, my trusty old gramophone (who else but a ballerina would have one!) was humming along to the latest chart-toppers. The music made me long for a spin in my favourite pink tutu.
Ah, but 1989 was an era of change and creativity, even beyond the realm of tutus. I felt a twinge of nostalgia when I put on my latest, most vibrant pink tutu. You know, those pouffy, fluffy, glorious things you'd find at a London stage door. You'd spot a fellow ballerina with her bag on her shoulder, all smiles as she left the stage, and her favourite tutu, a bit worse for wear. Now that's how you tell you've had a fabulous night at the ballet!
To travel back to this glorious year, I took a ride on a glamorous, cherry-red steam engine. Its whistle echoed through the valleys of Derbyshire, a sound I always loved. With my little pink ballet shoes firmly placed under the table for a comfy train journey, I felt a flutter of excitement as I thought about all the fashion finds that awaited me! After all, a trip through time isn’t just about dance, is it?
The most significant date in ballet, though, was 15th August 1989. That day, the world watched as legendary dancer, Rudolf Nureyev, breathed his last, leaving a legacy of innovation and artistry. We owe so much to him for bringing a whole new energy to the art of dance and taking ballet to the world. He's truly a dance legend whose shoes will forever remain difficult to fill!
So what did we love in 1989, you ask? Well, you name it: neon colours, shoulder pads, leggings, and... yes, you guessed it - tutus! Fashion trends that have been recycled over and over and over again since then. Remember the big hair? Let’s not forget Madonna, an icon who pushed the boundaries of what a female singer could do - a symbol of liberation for women, and she even wore tutus! There was a sense of unbridled excitement, a zest for life, that radiated in everything, including the clothes we wore. Even tutus were infused with that energy. We loved them in every shade imaginable, but oh, a pretty pink tutu - what a vision!
But what was a ballerina without a perfect outfit to wear to a ballet show? And when the curtain finally fell on that unforgettable performance at the Royal Opera House, the fashion crowds would flood into the Covent Garden Piazza - a real feast for the eyes. There was such a fantastic mix of colour and style - tweed jackets, vintage coats, dresses that hugged all the right curves and yes, a splash of bright pink in the form of an elegant, frilly tutu, here and there. It’s never gone out of style, and everyone wants to be seen wearing one. It really was an extraordinary era!
1989 is an example of the timeless appeal of the tutu, not just on the stage but off it too. The little fluffy pink ballet skirt embodies an unparalleled spirit of joy and liberation, a perfect expression of the year that was a little bit crazy, a little bit funky and bursting with energy, making it perfect for wearing at parties, parades and for everyday life.
Remember, darlings, that tutus aren't just about dance. They're a symbol of freedom, a reminder that we should never lose our sense of wonder and a celebration of what it means to embrace life’s infinite possibilities with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face.
Now I’m off to the shops to see what delights the 2023 stores have in store for us, all tutu enthusiasts. And don’t forget - this week’s #TutuTuesday challenge is to step out in your favourite pink tutu! Be bold, be you, and show everyone how much you love the beauty of dance.
Until next week, tutu-loving darlings,
Keep twirling! Emma x
