Hello my gorgeous twirling lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-traveling ballerina blogger! This week's #TutuTuesday takes us back to the glorious 22nd of May, 1990. Buckle up, my dears, because we're going to delve into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu, and let's be honest, a bit of vintage fashion never hurt anyone!
First stop on our little trip? The wonderful world of fashion. Now, 1990 saw some truly iconic looks - from the grunge revolution to the return of the mini skirt. But it wasn't all about grunge and rebellion, oh no! Ballet, as ever, was having a moment! Ballet tutus weren't just for dancers anymore. They were spotted everywhere - in fashion editorials, on runways, even on the streets!
And remember, we are in the heart of Paris. Now, we all know that the French have a special affinity for elegance and grace, and they certainly brought this to their ballet culture! Parisian ladies (and gents!) were flocking to see the beautiful ballerinas of the Opera Garnier in their stunning, voluminous tutus, making this enchanting costume a true fashion statement!
Speaking of Paris, this date happens to coincide with one of the most celebrated events in the ballet world: the Paris Opera Ballet's annual "Stars of the Ballet" gala! Can you imagine being there?! Seeing those incredible dancers perform with the majestic stage set aglow in the beautiful grand hall of the Palais Garnier... Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. Talk about the ultimate fashion and artistry extravaganza!
But, let's not forget about our humble beginnings. Now, where were we last week? Ah yes, the Romantic Era. We left off with the introduction of the romantic, full-length skirt tutu - the kind that would twirl for days! (Anyone else getting that dramatic twirling song from Swan Lake stuck in their head?!).
It wasn't just the tutus that were getting bigger, fashion itself had embraced the "bigger is better" philosophy. Think pouffy dresses, larger-than-life hats, and oh, yes - massive ruffles! (This was before the advent of the little black dress, but we can talk about that next time. Remember to sign up for email updates on www.pink-tutu.com for weekly blog posts.)
It seems we always have this thing about big, grand tutus, and that's really something that didn't change much as the decades went on! So why were those grand skirts so popular, you ask? Well, apart from the pure spectacle of them all, the huge skirts made the dancer's movements appear even more fluid and elegant. It allowed them to stretch those gorgeous, graceful legs and really command the stage! (And how do those legs get so strong?! Oh to be a ballerina again. All that disciplined training...)
Now, you may think, what was life like in ballet back then? And here's the fun part, we can travel back through time together to explore the details of how dancers and choreographers used their artistic talent! Think sparkling sequins, layers upon layers of tulle, and of course, plenty of pink. Think frilly delights, my darlings, in shades of blush, petal, and, my absolute favorite, hot pink. It wasn't all just about looking amazing though, they carefully chose their fabrics. It had to be airy and flowing for that enchanting illusion of a fairy-like being - something ethereal, graceful, and elegant, yet somehow grounded in power and grace.
Now, the key is this, even though these extravagant creations were making a huge splash in fashion circles, let's remember their very essence: practicality! It seems a little difficult to believe, but those grand skirts had a practical side to them too, you know! They allowed the dancer's legs to be fully extended in jumps, leaps and twirls. Just like a super comfy and practical piece of clothing that allows you to move around effortlessly. Who needs those "ballet-style" leg warmers when you can just get an elegant tutu, eh?! (Although I will say, I have a rather lovely collection of leg warmers too! Don't be scared to explore all kinds of ballet attire, darling!)
So here's the fun thing we all love about ballet and history: It isn't just about remembering what things looked like - it's about understanding the heart of what they were meant to do!
You know I love to travel by train! So what did the ballet world look like for people traveling from one ballet theatre to the other to watch this beautiful spectacle of movement? Now I could go into depth on trains of 1990 and the differences between trains in Paris and England...But we'll save that for a travel blog post sometime next month! (Don't forget, to be the first to be notified, sign up for email updates at www.pink-tutu.com!)
Now imagine that the journey started from my own town of Derbyshire, where we have beautiful Peak District scenery and the historical architecture to match, to Paris. And think, when you walk into that ballet hall in Paris or the Opera Garnier, that amazing energy that the space carries... A mix of history, creativity and dedication! The amazing performers in all their colorful outfits, in front of a hushed audience in the beautiful grandeur of that space....And let's not forget about the spectacular, awe-inspiring beauty of the Parisian ballet and the delicate tutus...Now, wasn't that just a perfect time travel moment?!
As we finish our time travel today, remember that the tutu hasn't gone out of style (and it's never will, especially for your truly!) It has gone through various evolutions in fashion - even seen on runways with designers playing around with its modern version. The tutu has definitely found a special place in fashion. But my dear followers, its essence never changes!
So, here’s a question for you! What are some of your favorite moments in fashion, history, or dance, from your time? Do let me know in the comments, below. Don't be shy, darling. Don't forget to share your fashion tips too. I would love to see your outfit ideas! What better day for that than #TutuTuesday?
As I say every week, make sure to join me every Tuesday at www.pink-tutu.com for my blog, because my friends, next week, we'll be dancing into a whole new era - where tutus will really steal the show! Stay fashionable, my lovelies.
With twirls and hugs, Emma
P.S. If you happen to be reading this blog in Derbyshire or any part of England...Why not check out the local dance performances? The theatre season here always has something for every dance enthusiast! Don't be shy to try out a tutu too! You never know, it may be your new fashion discovery and inspire you to travel by train to other ballet theatres! And who knows, perhaps one day you'll even get to travel with me, back in time...Or even to the future... I'd love to go!
