Hello my darling tutu-lovers! It’s your favourite pink-clad ballerina, Emma, back with another fabulous trip into the history of our beloved tutus. Today we’re whisking back to June 17th, 1997, a date filled with fabulous fashion, unforgettable shows and of course, exquisite tutus!
As usual, my time travel shenanigans required a spot of performing to fuel my fancy little contraption. This week, I found myself gracefully pirouetting on the stage of the Royal Opera House, London. Can you imagine? It was a performance of "La Bayadère", and those tutus! The costumes were truly divine. They were these incredibly light and airy tutus made of layers of tulle, all with exquisite floral embroidery, just so dreamy.
It felt rather strange watching this iconic ballet from 1997, a time where so much about our lives was very different, yet still so connected to our love for ballet. Did you know that mobile phones weren’t quite as mainstream in 1997, let alone smart phones? Can you even imagine?! But tutus? Oh darling, tutus were already a cornerstone of the dance world, already sparking the same amount of wonder and joy they do today.
But Back to 1997…
Now, imagine this. You’re strolling down Bond Street, and a window display of the latest Dior collection absolutely takes your breath away. We’re talking long, flowy skirts with the most delicate floral patterns. Remember those floral tutus in "La Bayadère" ? It was like those were given life and brought into the world of everyday fashion! The high-fashion designers at that time were very inspired by ballet, especially the gorgeous, ethereal beauty of the tutus. This connection between fashion and ballet wasn't just something we witnessed on the stage or in shop windows - even the pop icons of the day were sporting tutu-inspired looks.
Think "Spice Girls" (those sassy ladies!), and how they combined bright colours and playful outfits with this signature tulle. They even danced in these flamboyant outfits in their music videos and concerts, giving ballet an even more accessible, fun-loving appeal to a younger generation.
So as you can see, 1997 was quite the time for the tutu. Not only were they the focus of a magical ballet, but they were influencing designers and celebrities across the globe. You might say, it was the start of something big, a huge tutu trend that's still going strong today!
And you know, the tutu's continued popularity is more than just its aesthetic beauty, although, darling, it is beautiful. The tutu is a symbol of grace, it embodies the freedom of movement and the ability to express yourself through dance, no matter your age, background or style. And who wouldn’t want a little bit of that grace in their life?
What was in fashion in 1997?
You couldn't walk a street without seeing that iconic "Nineties grunge" aesthetic with its baggy jeans, chunky shoes, and flannel shirts. But guess what? These grunge looks also started experimenting with tutus, layering them over grunge-style outfits. Imagine!
And, darling, remember the "Rachel" haircut? This hairstyle was everywhere. That messy, choppy cut was almost as famous as the grunge scene, making it clear that we were at the start of a massive, playful change in the world of style.
In 1997, tutus started finding their way outside the traditional realms of dance, into our everyday wardrobes. From casual wear to red-carpet gowns, there was an undeniable shift towards incorporating these romantic and whimsical garments into different trends. They even became part of fashion editorials in magazines like "Vogue," proving the tutu’s rise in popularity.
Why I love 1997 (and my pink tutus!)
This time-travel journey was simply a delight, darling. It’s incredible how tutus transcend the confines of time and remain as enchanting today as they were nearly three decades ago. 1997 saw a really great cross-over between street fashion and performance fashion, with many famous icons like Cher, Mariah Carey, and of course the Spice Girls, all bringing ballet and the tutu into everyday outfits.
Don’t get me wrong, I still adore my beautiful vintage collection of ballet tutus - from the frothy classic tutus worn by dancers like Anna Pavlova to the more modern, innovative tutus made of silk and satin, 1997 gave us a preview of what to come. I love that those years have become an inspiration for so much creativity, and that, as the years go by, tutus have gone from being only worn on stage, to making their way into every corner of style and fashion.
But you know, the greatest thing about the tutu? Its sheer ability to empower us, making us feel beautiful, confident, and oh-so-lovely.
And my dears, that is something we need to hold onto and celebrate, both on and off the stage! Remember, don’t just let your pink tutu dream, embrace it!
Now, go put on your favourite tutu and twirl your way into the rest of your week!
Love,
Emma x
