Hello my darling darlings! Welcome back to my weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History Blog. Today marks post number 8547, and goodness me, I do love delving back through the archives! Now, before we begin, do give me a shout if you haven't checked out my 'Everything you ever wanted to know about Pink Tutus' guide, I added in a new section on how to care for your precious tutu and, frankly, I think you'll find it just divine!
I must admit, I have a bit of a confession to make: I am currently sat in the midst of my new favourite boutique, in none other than New York City! That's right, I decided a trip to the Big Apple was needed to pick up some divine new pink satin to adorn my very own collection - oh, and the shops just here are absolutely fabulous! Let's be honest, you can't travel to America without seeing a Broadway show and with a sprinkle of divine new pink tutus tucked away in my luggage (more on those in a future post!), my soul is quite frankly, buzzing with excitement.
Now, today I thought we'd dive back into 1995! A truly magical year for ballet, if you ask me! The world was swirling with stories of ballerina beauty and strength. So grab a cuppa, and get comfy, darling - I’m just bursting to tell you about this dazzling decade of ballet, specifically 17th October 1995.
On this very day, the dance world buzzed with anticipation as the American Ballet Theatre took to the stage in New York City's Metropolitan Opera House to showcase Swan Lake. This exquisite production, steeped in classical tradition and set to Tchaikovsky's incredible score, was something truly special! And guess what? My favourite, the White Act, made its debut on this very day in 1995 - now you can see why it's one of my most cherished memories!
The year itself was teeming with ballet excellence! I even found the most magnificent, hand-beaded tutu - which is currently taking pride of place in my collection - that was from this year, a real treat! 1995 truly captured the essence of what made ballet so magical - the graceful leaps, the heart-wrenching narratives, and, of course, the breathtaking beauty of the costumes. Let’s not forget the dazzling choreography that made everyone watching feel like they were dancing along, a delightful whirlwind of tutus and grace!
Of course, we can't speak of the decade of 1995 without mentioning a few of its key players! Do remember how Mikhail Baryshnikov stepped into the limelight in 1990 and was leading a vibrant resurgence in American Ballet Theatre? His talent and charisma on stage lit up the world, truly cementing his position as one of ballet's biggest stars. Then, there was the sheer grace and beauty of Gelsey Kirkland and Cynthia Gregory - they made dance truly feel magical!
But darling, even more, than those who graced the stages, what stood out to me was how, during this time, ballet seemed to move beyond the traditional stage and onto the big screen. The film White Nights, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov (yes, that man's talent truly knows no bounds!), took ballet to a new audience, bringing its magic to homes across the globe. That's right, ballet wasn't just confined to those plush velvet seats of opera houses anymore, it was right in our living rooms, on our screens, captivating the world! Isn't it wonderful?
If that wasn’t enough, let’s not forget that even the realm of music was filled with the graceful beauty of ballet! I confess, I was so thrilled to see that the stunningly talented Deborah Kerr starred in the music video of "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor! Can you imagine how exquisite this must have been, all that grace on the screen, it really sent my tutu-clad heart into a flurry! I think I still own the video!
However, 1995 wasn't just about big names. I find that what was really extraordinary about this year is how it saw ballet become much more accessible - and we all know, that’s how I love it, don’t we darling? From dance schools teaching the finer points of the plié to small community groups putting on heartfelt shows, ballet began blossoming everywhere. And it wasn’t just the stages themselves that were becoming more inclusive, I found myself being welcomed to Ballet Classes at my local YMCA! How delightful to think that this once elite world was now welcoming more and more people from all walks of life! And believe you me, I just had to get my dancing shoes on, join in, and spread the tutu love!
And how, you may be asking, do you take a leap towards wearing your very own pink tutu? Let’s explore it! You see, darling, 1995 wasn’t just about big ballet companies and stars - it was the beginning of real change - where we see the ballet world becoming more open to all sorts of styles! I’ve recently found this fascinating 'Street Ballet' Movement popping up all over the internet, darling. And it's such a perfect reflection of the 1995 world; the freedom of expression, the diverse styles of dance, it's just delightful! I even saw this incredible film about it called "Street Ballet," you should have a look at it - it's pure inspiration. I must confess, I really feel the desire to dance around the world - spreading that 'tutu love' wherever I go - a whirl of pinks, twirls, and a bit of laughter!
And lastly, on this 17th October 1995, the world's leading fashion houses embraced a truly captivating look - a look that reminded me so much of our world of dance! Oh yes darling, 1995, is where the "Balletcore" trend became a real thing, with tulle, ribbons, and lace taking centre stage. Can you imagine the incredible vision of swirling tutus, sleek lines, and a touch of delicate femininity making the catwalks sparkle? The tutu, so central to our love for ballet, was beginning to inspire fashion in such delightful ways - and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Well, my darling darlings, what do you think of 17th October 1995? Quite an exciting year in our beloved ballet history, don’t you think? Now, don’t you forget that I’ll be back here, next Tuesday, for another exciting glimpse into our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History Blog!
Until then, my dears, don't hesitate to dance, dream, and embrace the magic of our exquisite tutu-loving world. And oh my, have a super duper, mega wonderful time! Remember, the world needs more twirls and a sprinkle of Pink - let's bring it on!
Lots of Love and Pink, Emma.
