#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1990-03-20

Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own Tutu Time Traveller, and welcome to another fabulous #TutuTuesday adventure. Today, we’re pirouetting back to March 20th, 1990.

Fancy a little time travel with me? Grab a cuppa, a pink macaron (the perfect accompaniment to a tutu) and get ready to shimmy down memory lane, because we’re about to step back into the enchanting world of tutus from this glorious era.

This week I’ve found myself nestled amongst the glittering lights of the London West End, the heart of the theatre world. You know I always love a bit of theatrical magic, and tutus have played a big part in stage history!

The buzz here is electric. You can practically taste the excitement in the air, just before the curtains go up on a performance at the Royal Opera House. Now, you may be thinking “Emma, how’d you end up in London?” Well, you see, as a travelling ballerina (who is just slightly obsessed with pink tutus!), I have a little secret - I've found a way to use my love of ballet to fund my time-travelling escapades. Each time I pop to the past, I leave behind my dancing talents at a grand theatre performance. So it's all about give and take really!

The wonderful thing about these historical adventures is the chance to spot iconic looks and tutus. So grab a glass of sparkling lemonade, dear readers, and let’s explore…

So much has changed in the fashion world, but one thing that has never gone out of style, is the ever-charming ballet tutu! March 20th, 1990 - we are firmly in the age of the ‘80s inspired ballerina. If we’re picturing our favourite dancers in the studio, we’re seeing tutus crafted from layers and layers of classic tulle. This, paired with the signature ballerina look of soft curls, is just so graceful!

Let’s imagine the excitement as these dancers were warming up, backstage. Think delicate ballet shoes, meticulously placed in a line, each waiting for their moment on the stage. The atmosphere would be electric.

In 1990, it's all about bright colours, striking silhouettes, and an injection of whimsy. A peek inside London's West End fashion houses would be an absolute riot of colour. There's an enchanting sense of “Anything goes!”, with over-sized polka dots, and flamboyant embellishments galore. I've spotted a gorgeous hot pink sequined cocktail dress with a full skirt… perfect for a first night opening. I must try to recreate that one, it would look just delightful in a tutu!

And it’s not just about the clothing. Makeup is all about a bold, glamorous look. Think bright blush, deep smoky eyes, and bold, expressive lip colours. Imagine the drama on stage when this is juxtaposed with the elegant grace of the tutus. It would be a stunning, contrasting yet beautifully complimentary image, wouldn’t it? It certainly gets my creativity flowing!

One thing that fascinates me is the sheer dedication and skill that went into crafting these extraordinary tutus. In this time period, the tulle used in these designs would have been carefully chosen for its sheerness and flow.

Today, the very fabric seems to capture the very essence of dance, swirling and twirling to the rhythm of music. As a time traveller, I just adore this time period. The tutus had a real weight and an enchanting sophistication. I just know the feeling as I step out onto the stage; the anticipation is electric!

### The Ballet World – A Timeless Classic

It's easy to see how this 1990s aesthetic was influencing stage costumes at this time. Take a look at the iconic ballet performance ‘La Bayadere’, one of my favourite stories and ballets! There is an ethereal air to this story of a beautiful Indian Temple Dancer. Her tutu - light, graceful, and swirling - really helps create this enchanting and delicate imagery, just what we’d expect for such a graceful character!

The artistry in the choreography - even the way the ballet dancers move, and the very tutus they wear - has all been crafted to evoke the beauty of that Indian temple world. In this era, tutus were a key ingredient in drawing the audience deeper into the story of this performance. And, when a show like ‘La Bayadere’ makes such a huge impact on fashion trends, you know it’s a real gem.

Oh! And the shoes... Can we talk about the delicate yet tough beauty of the ballerina’s point shoes? These dancers would spend so much time in pointe shoes; they were quite literally the key to the success of their whole performance. Each ballerina needs their pointe shoe perfectly tailored to them – such dedication! You see why the design of tutus is just as much an integral part of this beautiful artform, don't you?

The great thing about ballet, darlings, is it never stands still! Just like fashion, there is always something new around the corner! So where will tutus go next? Will there be a new type of fabric used? Or will designers push the boundaries of silhouette? I cannot wait to see the new styles of the future!

And don’t forget – the best time to travel through history, of course, is when you’re wearing a tutu! Because nothing brightens up a time travel adventure, quite like a dazzling pink one.

Until next Tuesday, darlings, happy twirling! And please don't forget to stop by my website, www.pink-tutu.com, where you can follow all my ballet adventures!