Hello darlings! Emma here, your time-travelling tutu-obsessed fashionista, ready to take you on another trip through the history of the ballet tutu!
This week we're twirling back to 1991, the year when shoulder pads were still the norm and grunge music was taking the world by storm. You wouldn't believe the sheer amount of ripped jeans and flannel shirts! Can you imagine? It was like fashion went into a teenage rebellion, and the world just kind of… rolled with it!
I mean, honestly, what better way to counteract all that darkness than a splash of pink, right? Speaking of which, did you know that this is also the year my dearest Princess Diana, in a truly divine shade of lilac, rocked a dramatic pouffy tulle skirt while dancing the night away with Prince Charles at a London ball? That was, shall we say, truly fabulous, and it was certainly a good advertisement for the dramatic power of tulle.
Anyways, this particular October 1st marked the day the New York City Ballet held a very special performance. Can you believe they put on an entire show dedicated to the ballet "The Sleeping Beauty"? The piece was choreographed by Marius Petipa, the most famous ballet choreographer of the Romantic period, back in the 1890s. Talk about a blast from the past! Petipa's vision of Sleeping Beauty's ethereal and delicate costume for the waltz scene, made from delicate white tulle layers, literally defined what a classic ballerina costume should look like. The piece was first presented by the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg back in 1890, and the choreography became such a massive hit, you wouldn't believe it. The NYC Ballet was still presenting this masterpiece, showing it’s the magic of the tutu is timeless. This gorgeous, dreamy piece will stay popular for ages to come!
Did you know? You wouldn't believe this, but this tutu, in 1991, became the star of its own ballet! The New York City Ballet decided to create a full-length tutu-inspired performance. They wanted to show all the variations and developments the ballerina's costumes have had throughout history. It featured iconic dancers like Maria Tallchief and Suzanne Farrell in dazzling, custom-designed tutus - there was one that even had a whole other layer of tulle draped around it in a circular pattern that just spun around with the movement. It looked absolutely spectacular. That’s the magic of tutus; they don't need to be complicated, just show-stopping!
This, my loves, is what inspires me to travel through time in search of all these little bits of ballet history, in all their pink, glittery glory! Because tutus have a long, complicated, and downright dazzling story. And honestly, it's always a pleasure to remember, celebrate and showcase just how timeless the ballerina’s iconic skirt can be. After all, nothing quite says "feminine grace" and "timeless elegance" like a perfectly-fitting tutu!
To keep up with the blog and for more insights on my sartorial escapades through time, follow me on Insta (@EmmaPinkTutu) - I'd love to see your #TutuTuesday picks, darlings!
Have a wonderful week! I’ll see you all next Tuesday, same time, same place!
Emma xx
