Hiya darlings! Emma here, your trusty tutu-clad time traveler, ready to whisk you back to the year 1995 with this week's #TutuTuesday journey!
Remember that dreamy, sparkly world where feathered boas were still a thing? Well, this is the era I'm dipping my toes into this week. My fabulous time machine (a vintage train carriage I call "The Pirouette" – just saying, who needs a TARDIS?) deposited me in London town on the 14th of November 1995, ready to revel in all things tutu!
Let me tell you, 1995 was a real glitterball of ballet fun! It was the year I was in total awe of the exquisite Sylvie Guillem, the French ballerina who could leap like a gazelle. Her effortless grace on the stage was a complete inspiration! The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, was the place to be for those iconic ballets – you had your classics like "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" alongside those new age ballets everyone was buzzing about.
Oh, and how about this for fashion? Remember the sheer dresses, the glitzy embellishments, and those fabulous platform heels that were EVERYWHERE?! They were a dance of glamour, weren’t they? I couldn’t resist a little detour to Harrods for a fashion fix, which included a sneaky peek at their extravagant "Fairy Tales" Christmas display – you simply must have a look on the internet, it was enchanting!
The tutu was as much a part of this fashion scene as sequins and shimmer! There were those glorious tulle-heavy creations from the ballets themselves, along with the delicate, feather-light ballerina-inspired party wear you'd find in shops like Debenhams and Laura Ashley. I couldn’t resist snagging a darling pastel pink tulle skirt, reminiscent of a cloud on a sunny afternoon!
Of course, 1995 wasn't just about tutus, there was so much more! On November 14th itself, there was a thrilling musical about to take the stage – the highly anticipated opening night of "Miss Saigon" in London! Can you imagine the excitement in the air? Now, my fellow ballet lovers, isn’t that something that truly sparks the imagination?
The Ballet Blast from the Past!
Now, for a glimpse into the exciting world of ballet itself back in 1995:
The Royal Ballet, the heart of it all: They were performing the awe-inspiring "Swan Lake," a masterpiece by Tchaikovsky that continues to mesmerise audiences to this very day! It was also a year of new ballets like "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated" and "A Month in the Country."
Royal Ballet School: Those budding ballerinas at the Royal Ballet School in Richmond, England, were getting a good grounding in ballet history! That was my dream school as a young girl! I have to admit, as a time traveler, it’s not quite as easy for me to go to dance school as it is for other dancers! I often just watch and imagine, it’s a powerful exercise and a good one to cultivate my dream-life and imaginative abilities!
A Rising Star: It wasn’t all just about the classics. There were incredible talents emerging, making their mark on the ballet scene. Remember Carlos Acosta? Well, he was gracing stages all over the globe with his fiery, passionate performances, and the world was taking notice! What an inspiring dance legacy he is leaving behind.
But my dear Tutu Twirlers, let's bring it back to our main focus: the tutu! Remember, I'm all about spreading the love for the fabulousness that is a tutu! They were simply everywhere in 1995! You would have spotted them at weddings, birthday parties, and, of course, at those glamorous performances at the Opera House!
And, let's be honest, even without the actual performance, I could be tempted to don a tutu every day of the week and, most definitely on a Tuesday. But for my #TutuTuesday blog, I just wanted to leave you with a message about the sheer, boundless joy that ballet brought – and still brings!
So, how about a little bit of that joy? Get that tutu out, darling! Spin, twirl, and channel your inner ballerina! And as you’re whirling in your tutu, keep those dreamers’ hearts happy, don't let them get stale!
I'll be back next week with more fascinating facts and tutu trivia for your delight! In the meantime, get dancing, stay stylish, and spread that tutu love!
Ciao,
Emma x
