Hello my lovely tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back with another blast from the past for your #TutuTuesday fix! This week, I've whipped up my time machine and travelled all the way back to February 4th, 1997. Now, I know what you're thinking – that doesn't seem that long ago, does it? Well, my dears, trust me, things were very different when it comes to tutus back then!
For starters, let's talk fashion. We're talking the height of the '90s, think Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and frosted tips! The fashion scene was all about baggy jeans, crop tops, and Doc Martens, and let me tell you, the tutu was most definitely NOT on trend. In fact, I'd say tutus were considered rather niche back then, even for ballet performances!
Imagine a world where people were less inclined to rock a tutu outside of a dance studio. Could you even imagine?! I find it completely baffling, honestly. The gloriousness of a fluffy pink tutu is just too wonderful to be restricted!
But let's get back to the ballet world for a moment. While tutus weren't making waves on the high street, they were most definitely holding their own in the grand old theatres of London and New York. Back in 1997, ballet was still seen as the ultimate high-brow art form. The tutus, though they may not have been a 'fashionable' choice, were symbols of elegance and grace, perfectly highlighting the incredible artistry of the dancers.
Imagine being sat in the Royal Opera House in London watching some of the greatest ballet dancers in the world effortlessly floating around the stage, with tutus so elegant and intricate, making every pirouette and arabesque look even more magical! Now, I'd call that a true fairytale experience!
On this specific date in 1997, February 4th, a particularly magical production of Swan Lake was taking place at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. I’m guessing that some truly stunning tutus graced the stage! Now, I haven’t been to Russia yet (it's on my list!), but my travel agent has assured me it’s a wonderland for ballet! Just imagine: fluffy tutus against a backdrop of the snowy Russian landscape... Absolutely dreamy!
As always, I took a bit of a trip back in time and did a little shopping spree. Now, there wasn’t a single pink tutu to be found! Oh, how I long for those simpler days where the only challenge was choosing the perfect shade of pink, not the challenge of finding one! Thankfully, I did snag myself a fabulous vintage ballet slipper, all hand-stitched leather and sparkly embellishments. Just think – these beauties danced their way through some of the most iconic ballet performances in the 1990s! Imagine all the secrets those tiny leather shoes could tell…
Of course, no trip into the past is complete without a delightful train ride! Just like that time I visited the Victorian era (where tutus were just starting to gain traction!), nothing beats chugging across the countryside in a beautiful old carriage. And just like then, this journey was absolutely bursting with inspiration for future tutu-wearing!
It’s been another amazing week, my lovelies! If there’s anything I’ve learnt, it’s that there’s truly never a wrong time to embrace a pink tutu! If those iconic ballerinas of the past can make those grand entrances and grace those prestigious stages in a tutu, why not us?! Now, don’t be shy, tell me all about your Tutu Tuesdays! Did you sport your pinkest, fluffiest, most magnificent tutu today?
Catch you next week, Emma xx
P.S. Make sure to check out my favourite new pink tutu dress in my shop on www.pink-tutu.com! It’s so fabulous, it’s guaranteed to make every single day a #TutuTuesday!
Just for you!Remember my ballet slipper? Here are some fun facts about the era:
- Ballet shoes back in the 90s were typically made of leather with a satin ribbon tied around the foot.
- Many ballet slippers even came with built-in support systems to provide a better experience. How modern, right?
- They also came in all kinds of colours - not just pink! (Although we all know pink is the best! ;)
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
