#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History: A 1990s Timewarp! (Post #8248)
Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad historian, ready to take you on another twirl through time! Today's #TutuTuesday is a particularly exciting one, as we're hopping aboard the time-travel train and heading straight to... January 23rd, 1990!
Oh, the 1990s! Think acid wash jeans, shoulder pads the size of pillows, and a whole lot of hairspray. But beyond the fashion trends (which, let's be honest, are ripe for a revival!), the world of ballet was going through a real renaissance.
I’ve been busy gathering the latest news for this week's blog post and have been following the incredible journey of ballet as we’ve been hopping about in time! It’s certainly been exciting as I have even managed to see a show or two! And guess what? 1990 saw some seriously incredible ballet performances! Can you imagine, I was just in Paris last week, seeing Rudolf Nureyev perform "La Bayadere"! What a vision he was! Absolutely breath-taking. Then, the next week I hopped onto a train to London and saw Mikhail Baryshnikov star in a new interpretation of "The Sleeping Beauty"! What a genius, both of them! Honestly, darling, it is just all so exciting. I’m hoping to see them both again soon, though I think I may need to dig into my savings to afford those tickets – both performances were packed, with everyone from society types to ballet critics, all there to witness their grace and genius. But that’s ballet for you, I suppose; everyone, regardless of their background, comes together for a performance and shares the passion for movement, artistry and talent.
Now, let's rewind the clock back to 1990. Where should I start? Imagine a world where "Dirty Dancing" is a film everyone is going wild for (it's one of my favourite films, you see! "I've had the time of my life...!"). That's right, my dears, a decade where oversized hair and the rise of grunge reigned supreme. Fashion trends of the decade embraced a style that can only be described as, how can I put it...? well, it was the complete opposite of what ballet demanded of a dancer.
In those days, dancers would often wear their hair in strict buns with little fuss and minimal hairspray, making sure not to let a stray wisp escape during performances, while outside of the theatre, everyone was embracing big, bold and voluminous hairstyles. It was an interesting contrast, if I must say so myself! You see, dear readers, fashion and dance, have always held that intriguing “see saw” relationship – constantly fluctuating between elegant and graceful and the ever evolving and trendy, reflecting society's desires, and mirroring the thoughts and times of the masses. I find it endlessly fascinating.
So back to those beautiful tutus of 1990... Now, I won't bore you with a whole history of the tutu's evolution (though I could, it's fascinating!). However, in the late 80s and early 90s, the classic tutu was still very much the reigning champion of ballet. You wouldn't catch a dancer sporting a trendy crop top or ripped denim (those were reserved for street style, of course!). Ballet was all about those long, flowing lines, the classic elegance, and the power of a graceful movement, and the tutus truly reflected that! And let’s not forget the exquisite elegance of the ballerinas’ shoes – those graceful slippers, the pointed toe shoes, carefully and intricately handcrafted to offer both structure and fluidity – it is truly something to be admired, I say.
For example, think about the New York City Ballet's “Swan Lake". That performance became a timeless ballet classic. It brought together incredible dancing with beautiful music and timeless choreography – I was lucky enough to see it during one of my travels to America (what a city!). And don't even get me started on the tutu worn in the second act of this masterpiece. Oh, the volume of that tutu! Imagine an expansive cloud of the softest tulle, swirling with every movement. The ethereal elegance! Simply divine.
If you ever happen to get the chance, darling, be sure to pop into a museum with a costume and design section (though perhaps wait for a Tuesday before popping into one – just my humble recommendation), and gaze upon the tutus! These stunning creations were meant to be admired and you won't be disappointed! It’s a beautiful spectacle! If you do end up visiting one of these museums – I'd be thrilled if you took a picture and shared it on Instagram! Do tag me and let me know your favourite tutus – I love discovering new tutus (and new museums)! I always tag mine with #tututime, darling, so be sure to follow my posts on pink-tutu.com. I hope to see you all next week, and I promise, it will be worth the wait!