Hello darlings, and welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday on Pink Tutu.com! Today we're embarking on a time-hopping adventure back to November 30th, 1993, a year bursting with ballet brilliance, and a time when the tutu truly reigned supreme!
As you know, my dear readers, my passion for tutus knows no bounds – they are my lifeblood, my inspiration, and my wardrobe staple. So naturally, travelling through time gives me a wonderful excuse to explore the history of our beloved tutu. This week, my journey takes me back to the 1990s, a decade where fashion and ballet danced hand in hand.
I simply adore this era, with its fabulous grunge vibes mixed with the glamour of supermodels. And what's a supermodel without a gorgeous gown – or, in my opinion, a fabulous tutu?!
So let's travel back in my mind's eye, back to the 1990s, shall we? It was a decade of such rich variety for ballet – from the dazzling American Ballet Theatre, where Mikhail Baryshnikov was the artistic director and where I saw the utterly phenomenal "The Nutcracker" in 1990! You see, my life is all about embracing every wonderful aspect of dance. Ballet, Tap, Contemporary... I'm completely enraptured! And what better way to do it than with a stylish tutu to match the occasion!
Of course, for a ballerina, November 30th, 1993 was just another day – full of rehearsals and preparing for performances. It was in Moscow, in fact, that Maya Plisetskaya, the extraordinary and awe-inspiring ballerina, held a special ballet performance for her fans!
Can you imagine – sharing a stage with such a legend?!
I remember when I saw Maya perform as "Carmen" - it was an electrifying moment of grace, passion and utter brilliance, one of the many performances that ignited my love of ballet! And don't even get me started on Margot Fonteyn - oh, I could talk about her performances all day long. That, my dears, is the kind of ballerina who truly understands the magic of the tutu! She understood the power and elegance it brings, and she embodied it with such a sense of style – a style that I strive to emulate with every twirl I take.
But it wasn't just on the stage where the tutu was having its moment in the 1990s. The decade also saw an explosion of fashion trends that were inspired by dance. Gianni Versace and Christian Lacroix were using ballet's romanticism as a powerful inspiration in their high fashion designs, a phenomenon I can absolutely appreciate! And on the catwalk, those wonderful tutus started to pop up. It was such a fun, daring time, and who wouldn't want to embrace the tutu for a pop of fun, elegance and whimsy!
Here in England, 1993 saw the exciting debut of a brand-new ballet company, the Birmingham Royal Ballet. I distinctly remember their gorgeous performance of "Swan Lake", featuring a spectacular ensemble of ballerinas dancing in a range of glorious, voluminous, breathtaking tutus! Talk about adding a dash of Royal glamour to the world of ballet. They truly inspired my love of the dance! And if you want to truly feel the magical effect of tutus, watch their amazing rendition of this classic ballet!
Back then, a train ride was one of the most elegant and enjoyable ways to travel to a performance. A journey on the railway is like a piece of ballet in itself, a series of graceful movements, swaying with every shift of the train's path – it’s just magical. Especially if you're travelling in style and looking absolutely exquisite, naturally wearing a pink tutu. My travel days were truly Pink-Tutu-tastic!
Remember my dear readers, it's never too late to discover the wonders of ballet, especially with the dazzling influence of tutus! There are so many amazing performances to discover - from the awe-inspiring performances of the Royal Ballet in London, to the dazzling productions by the American Ballet Theatre. And don’t forget about the fantastic performances by the Paris Opera Ballet, where the history of ballet continues to flourish to this day.
If you haven’t already – I truly encourage you to step into the captivating world of ballet and witness the magnificent magic of tutus! If you can, see a live show. But even catching one on TV, it will ignite your sense of passion, beauty and grace.
You don’t have to be a professional dancer to embrace the tutu’s amazing power and joy! In fact, it makes life that much more interesting, don’t you agree? So why not channel your inner ballerina this week and add a tutu to your wardrobe for a dose of whimsical beauty? It will become your go-to outfit for fun days and fancy nights out – or you could even join a ballet class like me, and add that stylish flair!
In Derbyshire, it is tradition to wear a special kind of floral patterned tutu, one which truly embodies our gorgeous county and it’s beautiful surroundings, which we use during festivals. Our local festivals really have something magical about them and the beautiful dresses on the dancers look even more charming in the shimmering glow of candlelight – the experience just captivates you!
Whatever you do this week, make sure you do it with style, glamour and a twirl in your heart!
And remember darlings, every single day can be your own personal #TutuTuesday. Just keep on spinning, twirling, and letting your heart lead you through life's grand ballet. See you next week!
With a fabulous twirl and a dash of pink,
Emma
