#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1992-12-08

Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and welcome to another week of #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! This week, I'm stepping back in time to 1992, and let me tell you, things are starting to get really interesting on the tutu front.

Now, as you know, my travels are fuelled by a deep and abiding love of ballet, so you can imagine my excitement at this particular trip. 1992 was a glorious time for ballet. The world was buzzing with new talent and innovative choreography. This was the era of the big ballet names like Baryshnikov and Nureyev. The era of the 'ballet boom' that made ballet more accessible and exciting. So much of what we consider classic today, was just taking shape, a fact that makes my ballet-loving heart flutter with anticipation every time I hop onto the platform and set my Time Travelling Tutus to 'Engage' !

But this week isn’t just about the dance; oh no, this week we are talking tutu trends. Now, while pink may be my preferred colour and is always in style, let’s rewind to 1992 and see what tutus had to offer back then. The classic Romantic tutu - you know the one, all frilly and billowing with its layers and layers of tulle - was still the main act back then.

But 1992 saw some truly spectacular reinterpretations of the classic. It's when the modernists took their first real foray into tutu experimentation. Think dramatic, innovative shapes, maybe a little less billow, a little more sharp edges, all tied together with a sense of contemporary elegance. Remember that famous “Swan Lake” in 1992 with the beautiful dancer... what was her name… ? Oh! It will come to me in a moment … It wasn't so traditional but absolutely stunning. Of course I can't reveal any more details because I don't want to accidentally spoil things in the past, that would be disastrous. I’m still working out my 'Time Travelling Etiquette' on those details.

This year also saw a change in the colours of ballet costumes - remember when black became all the rage? So sophisticated. I bet they thought they were terribly edgy. They're so pretty, even if they are not quite my cup of pink tea, It was definitely a step away from the classically romantic colours like pink and white that still held the spotlight - a big change that had fashionistas in a tizzy (literally!)

It's impossible for me to talk about the tutus of 1992 without talking about where to get them. Luckily for me, this week’s visit takes me to New York. This place was truly a haven for a ballet and tutu enthusiast! I always love shopping for the right shoes in a city full of fashionistas who understand what good quality really means. Of course, New York's iconic Barneys, with its famous window displays and stunning fashion items, is always a must for any time-traveling ballerina. And, you can't go to the big apple without a quick stroll through Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue for its lavish range of tutus.

Remember back in the day when they actually used to hold ‘Tutu Week’ on Fifth Avenue? Everyone would gather around, looking at the window displays, admiring the latest tulle designs, maybe catching a quick preview of a new ballerina in her special new tutu. What a fabulous, sophisticated event it was. I was really quite excited when I stumbled upon this gem on my recent trip.

It's worth pointing out that you didn't even need a big fashion show to see the latest and greatest tutu trends. 1992 was truly the ‘year of the tutu’, and it didn't take a catwalk, just a trip to a store, or even just looking out your window, to get a sneak peek at the latest and greatest in tutu design. I just wish I could bring one back with me as a souvenir, but then the Time Travellers Guild would give me the hairy eyeball. You wouldn't want me to end up banned from time-travel, would you?

Of course, back then it wasn’t just about shopping - It was all about looking the part, a trend that really hasn't changed too much over the decades! For a fashionable ballerina like me, there is something truly satisfying about seeing those fabulous tutu and fashion trends become woven into a city's fabric!

Well, you can guess from all this talk of New York City and fashionable trends that December 8th, 1992 must have been a great day for the ballet as well as fashion and shopping too! Of course, I love to watch and review everything - the performances, the fashions, and the tutus - all of it is equally fabulous!

The ‘American Ballet Theatre’ were touring at the ‘Metropolitan Opera House’ at this time, with a performance of “Giselle.” So if you are a serious ballet enthusiast, you just have to add “Giselle” to your must-watch list. You simply have to! As for the fashions at that performance, think billowing tutus for the lovely ladies and a little less on the ‘manly tutus’. You know what I’m talking about …! Those fabulous little tights …!

So, I leave you this week with a very pink, very ballet-tastic message. Tutus are an inspiration; they are the stuff that dreams are made of. Don’t just admire them, wear them! Whether it's a ballet class, an evening out, a costume party, a performance or even a quick shopping trip - you can make any occasion more fabulous by throwing on a pink tutu!

See you next Tuesday for another time-travel adventure and more tutu trends in the next edition of #TutuTuesday!

Until then, Happy Dancing and may your tutus be fabulous!

Emma