Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu! I’m Emma, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, and it’s #TutuTuesday once again! 🩰 Today, we're going to take a trip back in time, all the way to 15th August 1995. Put on your finest pink tutu and grab a cuppa, because we're about to dive into a history lesson about a glorious, glamorous era.
Now, my trip back to the 90s was absolutely splendid, even if it involved the sheer agony of packing a suitcase with only vintage pieces! (Imagine, no sparkly tutus made of recycled fabrics back then! How utterly unthinkable.) I boarded the time-travelling train in Derbyshire, left the quaint green hills behind, and arrived in the heart of where tutus were celebrated, New York! This magical metropolis never fails to amaze.
I can already hear you all crying, "Emma! The tutu revolution hadn't reached its peak back then!" Well, I wouldn't say peak, darling, but 1995 was an incredibly important year for the evolution of the tutu. A year for tutus to make their boldest statement yet!
I remember walking into my little pink hotel room (the concierge told me "We adore your tutu!" Oh, to be living in an era where wearing pink tutus was met with so much excitement!) and I just had to visit The Metropolitan Opera, of course! Not only was I mesmerized by the glorious voices, the opulent costumes, and the timeless grace of ballet, but they were hosting "The Barber of Seville." You can imagine how my inner ballet-loving heart did a happy pirouette. Imagine - tutus on stage and a glorious tale told with beautiful music. Heaven.
What was particularly exciting about that year, my darlings, was how tutus had seeped beyond the world of traditional ballet, thanks to the creative vision of some absolutely brilliant fashion designers. This time period saw *the explosion of *balletcore, with streetwear reinterpreting the elements of classical ballet. * Remember those sleek, chic silhouettes and delicate, flowing fabric? Tutus took center stage even in high-street stores. Oh, what a lovely trend! *
Speaking of the street, while in NYC, I found the most delightful vintage boutique (I will never disclose its location, a true tutu enthusiast's secret must be kept under wraps!), and what did I find? Oh, my dears, you will never believe the treasure I unearthed: a hot pink tutu. Perfectly faded and worn with time, I couldn't help myself. The owner told me it belonged to a ballerina who had taken a break from performing to become a dressmaker. The story truly tugged at my heartstrings - it seemed as though the tutu's spirit, its beauty and magic, were woven into the fabric, a testament to its legacy.
The perfect ending to a day filled with the enchantment of dance, shopping, and a pinch of time travel? Why, it had to be a delicious piece of chocolate mousse. This dessert has become a sort of symbol for this glorious era! Imagine enjoying it while reflecting on the evening's delightful performance and watching a delightful show. How utterly perfect.
But enough of my musings, dears! Tell me - what memories does August 1995 hold for you? What exciting trends were taking over your local ballet studios? Was your favourite performance, "The Barber of Seville"? (Mine is certainly not the least favourite!) Share your tutu stories with me, my dears, because every ballerina, every enthusiast, has a story to tell. I am beyond excited to hear from each of you!
Until next time,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com