#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1997-08-12

Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu-tastic time traveller and purveyor of all things pink and pirouette-worthy! Today we’re stepping back in time, but not too far – just a little jaunt to 12th August, 1997, the year Titanic made waves (both cinematic and fashion-wise) and everyone was obsessing over the Spice Girls. Now, picture this: you're rocking your best pink tulle creation, and the air is buzzing with the excitement of a good old-fashioned ballet season.

(Remember that time I accidentally ended up in the 1800s? I had to explain to a group of men why I was wearing a ridiculous length of pink silk and why the dancing was a lot more expressive, and less, well, rigid. The looks I got were priceless. It’s all a part of the tutu journey, isn’t it? You wouldn’t believe how much fashion has evolved, even in the blink of a time traveller’s eye! But we're not there just yet.)

This decade saw the ballet world really starting to break free, and tutus, well, they were going places! The classical tutu wasn’t just about sweeping gowns anymore. We saw the emergence of a new kind of tutu - one that allowed for flexibility, modern movement, and a hint of athleticism. Think about all those breathtaking leaps and twirls that require freedom, dear readers. It wasn't just about traditional ballet either – tutus were popping up in musical theatre, in TV performances, and even, dare I say it, on the streets!

Imagine, 1997, my year of Strictly Come Dancing was only a whisker away – can you even begin to imagine all the possibilities? This is just the tip of the tulle iceberg.

What else happened on the 12th August, 1997? Well, according to the Time Machine (a handy pocket device I've been carrying since my last disastrous foray into 1700s Vienna – who knew knee-high stockings weren't even invented yet? Awful!), we've got quite the ballet-packed day.

Imagine the following…
* The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House in London! Ah, Tchaikovsky’s magical score… you know I was in my most dazzling tutu for that. (This particular performance happened to be on the 25th August though – I was having tea in the The Orangery at Kensington Gardens – simply divine – for the real deal I went to the dress rehearsal a week prior) * The Sleeping Beauty at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Ooh, a real international flavour – and how perfectly glamorous for my little tutu-tastic voyage, wouldn't you agree? (Yes I did get to see the Bolshoi in its entirety, the most spectacular Ballet stage - I did not miss that for the world, but no Sleeping Beauty, but there was the most breathtaking performance of a newly staged ballet)

Imagine being in London one minute, then taking the Orient Express to Moscow – where else would a girl want to be? The romance!

Speaking of London, it was buzzing with ballet happenings. You’ve got the Royal Opera House as the go-to place for grand performances. That year, there were a plethora of incredible productions, from classic masterpieces like Swan Lake to cutting-edge choreography from the hottest names in ballet – and everyone in London was talking about it.

And while those big stages were mesmerizing, the street was alive with its own unique flavour. I've seen everything from impromptu performances in Covent Garden (which I’m sure was as amazing then as it is now) to street theatre productions showcasing talent both young and old. It really felt like a blooming new chapter in the world of ballet – a moment where creativity was dancing its way out onto the streets. (That, and I had amazing shoes I found at the famous Harrods department store that I wore with a gorgeous baby pink, satin, custom-made tutu – I wore the living daylights out of that combo!).

Back in my time, 1997 was all about the power of communication, of sharing that joy of dance with everyone. Imagine this: sending your favourite photos of your ballet performance by snail mail? It felt like it took an eternity. Now we have the power to share in a moment – thanks to the Internet! A website to celebrate all things ballet? Sounds divine, doesn’t it? Well, my darlings, pink-tutu.com is all yours – just be sure to tag me on your ballet pics – I love seeing how you are wearing the pink tutu trend.

For all those beautiful, confident ladies who want to unleash their inner ballerinas, there’s no better time to prance around in a pink tutu. Who knows? Maybe you'll inspire the next big dance craze. That's what makes the history of ballet so thrilling: It’s always moving, evolving, and becoming something beautiful and unique, just like all of us, right?

I hope you’ve enjoyed a tutu-tastic glimpse into 1997 – that year was pure magic, especially if you happened to be in a pink tutu! And remember, this time-travelling ballerina is always on the hunt for a fabulous tutu adventure, so stay tuned!

Remember: Follow the magic of dance – find your own tutu adventure. See you next Tuesday!

*(Don't forget to check out all the gorgeous photos from my 1997 journey on our #pinktutu Instagram!)