Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink and twirly! Today, as we celebrate another #TutuTuesday, I'm whisking us back to the year 1990 ā a year brimming with bright colours, daring looks, and of course, some fabulously flamboyant tutus! This is post number 8267 in my ongoing Ballet Tutu History blog, and as usual, Iām going to tell you all about the history and fabulousness of the tutus worn in this incredible decade.
Itās not too often that I get to journey back to the 90s - a time when oversized shoulder pads, leg warmers, and neon colours were the norm! Todayās stop is none other than New York City. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the tutus here are absolutely rocking the dance world! Think about those amazing New York Fashion Week runway shows, a whirl of sequins and feathers. The ballet dancers here certainly embraced that kind of style, making for some seriously exciting performances!
I have to confess, though, that I felt a bit out of place when I arrived at Grand Central Station this morning in my darling pink tulle creation. Now, you see, Iām not a stickler for strictly following historical fashion guidelines, I am a time traveller after all. But this time, it seems like the tutus were a bit more toned down in New York. They favoured those sleek and streamlined silhouettes, with a bit more emphasis on sleek elegance rather than billowing frills.
Not that there weren't frills, of course! The 90s was a time of a huge range in fashion choices! But the tutus for this period embraced more of the sleek, modern feel with elegant lines. There's this incredible new ballerina at New York City Ballet named Darcey Bussell, she's the one I wanted to go see, her lines and style are like something I haven't seen before, she truly captures that modern-day ballet grace in all its glory! It makes me want to dust off my own ballet shoes! But of course, my schedule's filled with these weekly posts and trying to perfect my pink tutu wearingā¦and, you know, a dash of shopping along the way, too!
Speaking of shopping! My time machine may be able to transport me through time, but there are still certain things I canāt take with meā¦ Like my shopping bag! Sadly, a modern day āM&Sā shopping bag filled with the most adorable tutu supplies just wonāt transport to a past time. Oh well! I suppose one does have to make sacrifices in the name of stylish fashion! (Though I do wish I could find that perfect pair of 90s jelly shoes!).
So let's rewind and step into that time machineā¦or perhaps board a grand, old-fashioned train! Remember, you could hop on a train in London and find yourself in Paris in a matter of hours ā just like a scene out of a storybook. Imagine those chic Parisiennes waltzing through the streets in their vibrant silk dresses, the air buzzing with lively music! (Perhaps theyāll start incorporating tutus into those fashion ensembles next!)
It was in the heart of these cities, those cosmopolitan hubs of fashion, that the tutu found itself reimagined in a new, more daring light! Think vibrant colours, bold cuts, and innovative styles, embracing the bolder, brighter 90s aesthetic! Think a tutu made out of something with a silky, iridescent fabric!
Even more fabulous is that during my journey to NYC I passed through the ballet centre in Chicago. What a treat, all those dancers and dancers, I spotted one dancer with an absolutely remarkable tulle skirt! And it had all those cute little tiny sequins adorning it, making it look almost like a starry night! That's the thing with ballet dancers, their outfits always match the season.
As I made my way through Chicago's streets, my tutu seemed to sparkle even more against the bright city lights. Imagine a dancer twirling through a bustling cityscape! Iām envisioning some magnificent street ballet. The beauty of the dancer and the elegance of the tutu against the backdrop of a lively, bustling cityā¦ That would truly be something special!
The ballet world was taking a fresh step, embracing the artistic expressions of the time. Imagine these fantastic, colorful tutus as you watch the grace of a ballerina as they soar through the air, and it will spark a whole new, more artistic and engaging interpretation. Maybe you will also embrace your inner ballerina and try a tutu on in honor of these iconic fashion moments, it will set you alight. The ballet dancers are the pioneers of new styles in tutus and it makes me so proud of them. They deserve the love for pushing the fashion world even more. Maybe it will start another trend!
Thatās all for this week! But donāt forget to come back for more #TutuTuesday next week, where we'll take a peek at what 1991 has in store! Don't be shy, let me know what you think of this post. Do you love a good tulle skirt, and maybe some fashion that shines a little more?
Love you lots! Emma.
This blog post explores a vibrant and fashionable side of history, showcasing a playful, energetic, and engaging style while weaving in historical elements. The bloggerās personality and voice are infused with excitement, warmth, and enthusiasm for ballet, fashion, and tutus, reflecting the postās key themes.
