Hello darlings, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday here on pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tulle and twirling! This week, I’m taking us back in time to a rather momentous date in ballet history, the 29th of May, 1990! As a budding ballet historian and a life-long tutu enthusiast (did I mention I’m absolutely obsessed with them?!), I’ve always been fascinated by how these beautiful creations evolved.
This week's journey takes us straight to the heart of Paris, where I’ve just hopped off the train, after an absolutely smashing performance by the Ballets Russes. Imagine, ladies! Not just a ballet, but an entire Russe experience – the costumes, the music, the emotion! Oh, it was magnificent.
Speaking of costumes, did you know that back in the early days of ballet, ballerinas used to dance in long, cumbersome skirts?! How they even managed to pirouette is beyond me. Thankfully, those days are long gone! Our friend, the tutu, arrived on the scene in the 19th century, transforming ballet dancing from a heavy, earthbound spectacle into the graceful, ethereal art we know and love today.
Now, 1990, as I mentioned earlier, was a pretty big year for our favourite skirt, especially when it came to fashion. You see, 1990 saw a resurgence of romanticism and fairy-tale elegance, not just on the dance floor, but in everyday fashion as well! And guess what played a pivotal role in that trend? Yep, you guessed it: the tutu! The trendsetters were Vogue, of course, with editor-in-chief Anna Wintour championing the ballerina look for everyone from everyday women to runway models! I’m absolutely certain this is a direct consequence of all those magnificent Ballets Russes shows that graced Parisian stages just a few years earlier, wouldn't you agree? It’s a testament to how powerful ballet can be in influencing broader cultural trends!
Can we all take a moment to marvel at this fabulous feat of fashion? How did a garment so delicately crafted for the stage capture the hearts of everyone on the streets?! This speaks volumes, my dears, about the sheer beauty of the tutu!
Speaking of beauty, let’s not forget about the ballet itself. May 29th, 1990, was a magical day for ballet in general! The Royal Ballet performed their captivating rendition of Giselle, a classic love story with the most hauntingly beautiful music! The final act, the Wilis, had me weeping with the sheer intensity of the emotions displayed! It’s an experience I wouldn't trade for the world!
In this context, the tutus weren’t just a pretty addition – they were an essential tool. The wispy, airy fabric of the tutus added a mystical dimension to Giselle’s story, and helped dancers like Dame Margot Fonteyn achieve that graceful lightness essential for ballet. It was utterly enchanting to witness!
Now, I must tell you, my #TutuTuesday post this week would be incomplete without mentioning a special celebrity moment, and for this particular date, I just have to share a lovely anecdote from none other than our own very Prince Charles, no less! Imagine, this regal prince, a devoted patron of the arts, wearing a…pink tutu for charity? His Grace even donned the most adorable pink tutu while performing a fundraising dance! It was for a cause close to his heart – a cancer research organization – but even I wasn’t prepared for the impact it would have! His willingness to put himself out there and twirl for a good cause, not only brought a smile to everyone's face, it showed just how fashionable a pink tutu can be for any age or stature. Who knows? Maybe Prince Charles single-handedly started the tutu craze back in the 90s!
Now, I’m not going to leave you hanging without sharing my own sartorial thoughts! This lovely day is, in fact, my own personal #TutuTuesday milestone – because it marks the day I fell head over heels for the first pale pink, pleated, ballet-length tutu. Oh, it was the most charming creation! I felt like a real-life ballerina as I danced through the streets of Derbyshire on my way to a very special shopping trip to find the most gorgeous pearl necklace for a performance I was planning on seeing that very evening. That pearl necklace, my dears, is still a cherished possession in my collection to this day, tucked neatly within my pink Tutu Tuesday travel suitcase. Oh, the wonders we can find when we look beyond the mundane!
This is exactly why I’m determined to inspire every single one of you to step out of your comfort zone and wear a pink tutu at least once in your life! Who knows? It just might bring you a little joy, or even change the world. You never know, my darlings! You might even be the next fashion icon! I do hope to inspire you to try new things, like travel, to attend ballets or see Broadway shows and take dancing lessons! What a joy! I'm very lucky to travel back in time. It allows me to learn more about our dance heritage, tutus, ballet and costumes, all through time. What could be better than a trip by train through the gorgeous British countryside to catch a beautiful dance production at the Bolshoi Theater!
Oh, and remember to visit pink-tutu.com for more fashion tips, ballet adventures, and plenty of tutus for your enjoyment! Keep your head up, your hearts light, and your steps twirly. See you next week for another delightful #TutuTuesday! 💖🩰
