#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1990-07-17

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, darlings! It’s me, Emma, your ever-so-slightly time-traveling tutu enthusiast, back with another delve into the fascinating history of the tutu! This week, we’re taking a trip back in time, all the way to 17th July 1990. Grab a cuppa, put on your most glamorous tutu, and let's journey together! ✨

Before we start, just a little shout-out to all my fabulous followers. If you're reading this, then you're one step closer to joining my mission to make pink tutus the ultimate fashion statement! 😉 Let's make this world a fluffier, twirlier, and infinitely more sparkly place, shall we?

Now, back to 1990! Oh, what a time to be alive! It was a year full of music that still makes my heart beat faster (just try telling me you haven’t had Vogue by Madonna stuck in your head!), amazing fashion trends, and…wait for it… absolutely glorious tutus! 🎉

Imagine this: the world of dance is abuzz. You've got ballet companies across the globe captivating audiences with breathtaking performances, from the graceful ballets of the Royal Ballet in London (did you know it's still going strong?) to the powerhouse performances of the New York City Ballet! And guess what? The iconic, beautiful tutus that adorned these ballerinas, making them seem like ethereal beings floating across the stage, were everywhere! ✨

Let's get a bit more specific, shall we? This date in history (17th July 1990) wasn't just any old Tuesday. This Tuesday was the day when a magical little thing happened in the world of dance! I mean, magic might be a bit dramatic, but it felt magical then! 🪄

The Royal Ballet performed The Sleeping Beauty, the iconic masterpiece by Tchaikovsky at the Royal Opera House in London, showcasing a plethora of intricate, perfectly designed, and frankly, spectacular tutus. It was like stepping into a fairytale, complete with gorgeous, voluminous skirts swirling around the ballerinas. It's still one of my all-time favourite ballets, by the way! You simply must go see it if you haven't already. I promise, the tutus alone are worth the ticket price!

And just imagine the excitement leading up to this performance! Did you know, darling, that ballet was HUGE in the late '80s and early '90s? It was considered chic, sophisticated, and frankly, a must-see event. Just like now! 💅 It’s not always the case with classical art forms, but we're lucky. Ballet's been enjoying a true renaissance in the last few years, and that's absolutely wonderful!

Think about it – ballet meant elegance, tradition, grace… You'd have people dressed to the nines, and it was absolutely acceptable (and encouraged, even) to don your very best tutu to a ballet! It was like an excuse to wear something utterly gorgeous, whimsical and floaty, without having to think about a second’s worth of what anyone might think. We love tutus for all reasons, right? It was a night of pure escapism and fantasy.

Speaking of escapade, now wouldn't you know it, I was in London around that time for a special ballet production – a glorious production of Swan Lake, by The Royal Ballet, naturally! Talk about a breathtaking show! They're always putting on an absolute masterpiece at the Royal Opera House, especially back in 1990! They are one of my favourite ballet companies and they certainly had a place in ballet history!

Do you know the feeling? You get swept up in the story, the dancing, the drama, and the tutus! I simply couldn’t resist catching a show and buying a fabulously fluffy tulle tutu (and an amazing vintage top - you wouldn't believe the selection in the vintage shops in London then!). You simply have to experience London to understand how a place like that has such history. There is history absolutely everywhere and in everything. It truly is the centre of culture! And it's a total fashion haven too, of course!

I ended up spending a week wandering the streets of London, getting lost in museums, checking out antique stores, going to theatre, buying up every bit of glittery fabulousness I could find (you’ll never guess how many times I managed to fit a tutu into my suitcase – even for my trip back to Derbyshire!), and of course, getting totally mesmerized by the ballet performances at the Royal Opera House! And it was all for a worthy cause - collecting information for this blog and getting that inspo to add another chapter to #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History. That's my secret way to travel the world and live my dreams! 🩰

Talking of dreams, here's what really got me thinking about the history of tutus that day in 1990. A famous dancer (oh, you know the one, I can’t spill all the tea yet – but it is an absolutely recognizable name in ballet), was at the centre of a real scandal. Scandalous in the world of ballet, anyway! 😉 Imagine being in such an iconic dance production, wearing such a legendary, voluminous tutu, only to have some major backstage drama swirling around you (ha, like your tutu, get it?)!

The ballerina in question wore a breathtaking, hand-sewn tutu for the ballet. Now, this was a true statement tutu. This wasn't some fluffy, commercially-made version – this was art. The design was revolutionary and made a huge splash in the world of ballet, sparking controversy, fascination, and excitement – not all of it positive, mind you! The drama that surrounded the incident, let’s just say it was a complete and utter spectacle in the world of ballet! Even today it’s an example of a very “in the moment” piece of ballet history, like that little bit of drama, the extra gossip to help us keep it all in the public eye! You might even say the drama helped put ballet on the map (see what I did there?). Now that's the power of ballet – the beautiful artistry intertwined with human emotion. Just like life! ❤️

Speaking of real life, even though it was decades ago, you know the story is pretty darn familiar to us today, isn't it? Even now, the world of fashion, beauty, dance…well, really all aspects of art – are filled with all sorts of controversies. From groundbreaking designs that leave audiences speechless, to heated debates about authenticity, there's always drama around every corner! But that's the magic, darling. That’s what keeps it interesting. So next time you see a ballet, a runway show, a movie, a theatrical performance, don't just enjoy the art. See it, analyze it, and look at how those creators used their craft to move us, inspire us, make us think – sometimes even a bit scandalized. All those factors that have brought about the current world we live in! And, above all love, adore, cherish it all - good and bad, scandalous and beautiful! 💅

Now, before we say goodbye (you wouldn’t want to be late for the show!), let me remind you about all the amazing ways you can bring a little bit of tutu-infused magic into your own life:

• Don your most fabulous tutu! Embrace the fun, embrace the whimsy, and spread the message of twirling! 💕
• Attend a ballet performance! Immerse yourself in the beauty of classical dance, the emotion, and of course, those fabulous tutus. You’ll be completely captivated, guaranteed! ✨
• Visit a ballet museum or a dance exhibition! Immerse yourself in the world of dance, discover incredible pieces of history, and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty of ballet. Who knows what new, historical tutu gems you’ll discover! 👗

Remember, my dear readers, there’s a pink tutu out there waiting for you! So find your perfect twirling partner, embrace the sparkle, and get ready to twirl!

See you next Tuesday, my loves! ✨

Until then, keep twirling,

Emma 💖

www.pink-tutu.com