#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1998-01-06

Hey Tutu Lovers! It's your favourite pink-clad ballerina blogger, Emma, back again for another Tutu Tuesday. Today's adventure? Time travel! I'm popping back to the past to a magical time of fashion and creativity.

I’m hopping on my trusty steam-powered time machine (because, you know, real ones still haven't been invented, I'm waiting with bated breath though!) and heading straight back to January 6th, 1998.

Why 1998? Oh honey, it’s such a pivotal year in tutu history! We’re talking the year the Phantom of the Opera movie dropped – talk about glitz and glam! I've just got to slip into my black silk costume with the gorgeous cascading tulle and relive the magic. The Phantom was such an iconic moment for ballet. All the stunning, dramatic performances... those magnificent gowns, those romantic plot twists, those grand waltzes that sent shivers down my spine... Oh my! I could watch it a thousand times. You know, I think this trip back to 1998 needs to be combined with a ballet performance. Time to stock up on the glitter, darlings!

But hold onto your tutus, because this post isn't all about London’s West End! It's also a deep dive into the history of this little frock we all adore! The tutu, it's such an integral part of ballet - and honestly, life itself, really! So we'll be delving into that glamorous past! I think it's pretty clear by now, the pink tutu, it’s in my blood, and it’s an incredible source of inspiration for me! So let’s travel back to the past to where the tulle train all began...

1998, if we take a quick rewind back in time, you’ve got “The Nutcracker”. Who could resist those delicate tutus on the Sugar Plum Fairies? And then the magnificent “Swan Lake” tutu in that stunning white - it’s almost mystical, no? I just have to squeeze into one myself to understand the sheer magic of it all! I think a trip to Derbyshire for a show later might just be the perfect thing! I absolutely love it there, it's all countryside and cobblestone roads... so quaint and sweet! And the most beautiful countryside, like you’ve never seen it, honey! The views are breath-taking.

But let’s get back to the start - all the way back to the 1800s! The 19th century gave us the beautiful romantic era in ballet, when they used to wear the "Romantic tutu," the type we see on those iconic paintings in our books. That era embraced full-length, beautiful satin tutus, quite the spectacle for everyone. Remember those wonderful swirling silhouettes, cascading all the way to the ground? This period gave us a glimpse of just how mesmerizing the movement of a ballerina really was. You’d look at those portraits in black and white, and they were practically waltzing right off the paper! They oozed elegance. They were like graceful clouds, gliding through the air... almost ethereal. You can't help but marvel at the way a well-structured dress just moves!

But things changed a bit as time moved along! The ballet itself got faster, so they started designing more practical tutus, but ones that still flowed as beautifully as the original! And guess what? The tutu started gaining a wider range of shapes. The ‘Romantic tutu’ transitioned into the ‘Classical tutu’, the kind you see in “The Nutcracker”, which often had layers of tulle in varying lengths to enhance the graceful lines of the ballerina’s movements.

And 1998, just like today, you see tutus being modernized. Remember how those amazing outfits are in ‘Moulin Rouge’? It's a fun fusion of the original inspiration and the playful, contemporary aesthetic. They took the elegant lines of the tutu, added feathers, sequins, layers upon layers of beautiful sheer material and gave it a truly avant-garde twist!

What a glorious mix of old and new, with the most elegant fashion ideas coming together!

Now, 1998 also gave us the “Swan Lake” reimagining starring the wonderful Darcey Bussell! It was pure elegance in every way, I simply adored those stunning designs for all the scenes - such stunning creativity. It's almost magical. I always find myself reaching for my diary to record ideas for a costume right after watching ballet. That’s what we’re here for in Tutu Tuesday!

And who else was in the limelight in 1998? Remember The Spice Girls? They brought their unique style into every performance! Their skirts were short, they flowed, and they looked ready to move all day, honey! They weren't technically "tutues", but those flared skirts reminded us just how dynamic those dresses could be, didn't they? You wouldn’t see a dancer in something that wouldn’t allow them to move easily, because those intricate steps - the “pirouette”, the "jeté”, even the “pas de bourrée” - need room for elegance and skill, it’s just practical!

Let’s talk travel! A good ballet girl knows her travel looks. Since I travel so much in my vintage steam train (sometimes I have to book first class, there isn't always room for luggage!), my go-to outfit for those days is definitely a dress that I can dress up and down. The look I adore most is definitely a classic dress with some embellishments: sequins, silk ribbon, feathers and lots of bows! I might also even tie a bow on top of my pink tulle skirt (don't worry, I always have a spare pink tulle skirt!) – always classy, always a must-have on my fashion train ride! It's such a convenient look and I always bring a spare dress because, who knows, what surprises lie ahead, you know?

In 1998, my travel itinerary might have included a trip to New York to check out the Metropolitan Opera. Talk about tutus galore! Every performance oozes elegance and classic fashion. I especially adore those outfits with bright colors, feathers and of course, lots and lots of tulle! They create these elaborate styles and, honestly, I want to just wear all of them! *Maybe I can do that one day! * You can be sure I'm going to be browsing all those lovely vintage tutu costumes after this!

We must mention those tutus at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden! Always exquisite, all these costumes are simply magnificent. I love how ballet embraces not just modern tutus, but vintage styles and patterns too, the full range of a costume’s history really makes me appreciate the timeless, classic look!

1998 - I hope you feel that nostalgia! You can see the echoes of 1998, with its love of tulle, glitz, and creativity, right there in the fashion world today, in every garment. As you scroll through your favorite shopping sites, don't be surprised if you spot some vintage 1998-inspired pieces (those satin skirts are still my favorite)!

Remember, darlings, don’t just imagine wearing a pink tutu – wear one! I can tell you now, it will change your life (don't even think about trying to pink-shame me, that's not a thing, just live your best tutu life!). I really think it’s a true expression of a graceful fashion movement. Just a quick thought... Perhaps the "Pink Tutu Movement" should be the next fashion wave of the 2020s. We have got a full year to work on the details. Just be sure to tag me on #pinktutu and your outfits will feature in my next Tutu Tuesday!

That’s all for this week, my darlings. Until next time! Remember, never shy away from your favorite Tutu!

Keep it pink!

Emma www.pink-tutu.com