Hiya, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate the most fabulous garment ever invented: the tutu! This week, we're going on a grand adventure in the time machine, soaring back to January 27th, 1998, a time when the world was a little bit different but tutus still held a special place in our hearts!
Now, I know you might be wondering, why am I in my pinkest tutu, ready to sashay into the past, like a dancing dream? Well, as you all know, I'm on a mission: to make the world a tutu-filled paradise! And to do that, darling, I need to learn from history, see how tutus were embraced (or not!) by the generations before us. So hop aboard, dearies, we're going on a fab-u-lous journey!
The year is 1998, the world is buzzing with technology – they even have these shiny gadgets called 'computers' with little boxes they call 'mouse-pointers'! Oh, and apparently there’s a ‘World Wide Web’ for all the chatty birds out there! But let’s not forget, in this era of newfangled contraptions, some things remained constant – like the everlasting elegance of a tutu.
Imagine this: a shimmering spotlight catches a dazzling array of tutus, swirling and twirling in the Royal Ballet. This was the scene for my dearest Darcey Bussell, the English prima ballerina assoluta, taking on the lead role in Swan Lake. Now, there’s a true queen of tutus, darling, her performance in that famous white tutu... pure magic!
Just thinking about her gives me all the ballet-inspired fashion feels. The trend in the 90s was for tulle skirts paired with casual wear: imagine, darling, a ballerina-inspired tutu-like skirt, a little bit puffy and pretty, teamed up with a cosy knit jumper and a comfy pair of Doc Martens! Oh, so chic, my dear! It was the perfect blend of dreamy romance and a touch of that 90s grunge spirit, giving the tutu a whole new lease on life!
Even though my time machine isn’t exactly Top Secret, darling, it does rely on a very secret ingredient – a good old-fashioned, dazzling ballet performance! And luckily for me, 1998 was brimming with fantastic ballet shows!
Remember the darling Billy Elliot film? It was released this very year! It truly shows the beauty of how the grace and strength of ballet can break down boundaries and open up dreams to everyone. Even if you weren't fortunate enough to see the film at the cinema back then, just imagine the sheer joy of the young Billy Elliott in his black tutu, soaring through the air – pure, unadulterated magic, my lovelies!
And remember, my dears, tutus were no longer just for the theatre stage, they were coming out of the spotlight and into the spotlight of everyday life! I love a good ballet class myself, you know, it's not just about pirouettes and grand jetés (though let’s be honest, those are divine!), it’s about feeling graceful and beautiful in your tutu, like a living, breathing work of art!
So there you have it, darlings! A glimpse into the fascinating world of tutus back in 1998! And remember, as the grand, sweeping final bows of my own journey through time come to an end, one thing is crystal clear: the enchanting allure of tutus endures! And until next time, I leave you with this thought: embrace your inner ballerina, dress in your most beautiful tutu, and twirl your way into a delightful day, my dears!
Lots of pink tutu love,
Emma xx
My 1998 Diary - What was Emma doing in 1998?So, where was this tutu-loving time-traveller in the land of '98? You might be wondering how I found myself dancing amongst the glitter and grandeur of 1998, and I’d be delighted to tell you all about it, darling! It was, as always, ballet-inspired, and full of glamour!
London calling! My dear time machine had taken me to London, the heart of the British Ballet world! Of course, a tutu-lover like me couldn't resist visiting the prestigious Royal Opera House. Imagine a whole world of stunning tutus, whirling around under glittering chandeliers! I had the chance to catch a few performances – and oh my darling, I felt like I was walking into a real-life fairy tale!
Train Travel Adventures: As much as I love a fancy ballet shoe, you'll find me more comfortable in my trusty trusty pair of trainers! I also love to explore by train – the clink-clank of the carriages, the view as I hurtle past towns and cities. My adventures through England back then took me to some enchanting places - I even spotted some rather lovely tutu shops tucked away in a hidden lane!
Shopping Spree: What’s a tutu lover to do after a dazzling ballet performance but head straight for a tutu shop? Ah, darling! Remember all those fabulous tutus worn by the prima ballerinas, every sequin shimmering, every tulle layered to perfection, like the petals of a pink rose? I wanted them all! You could even find tutus in all shapes and sizes in the 90s – with a bit of creativity, it wasn’t just a dance garment, but a symbol of feminine expression and personal style!
Fashion Flips: Back in 1998, tutus weren't just a staple on the ballet stage, oh no, my dears! Fashion houses started embracing that ethereal charm, making tulle skirts a trend! A classic 90s look: imagine a sparkly pink tutu skirt with a chic black crop top – just a little hint of rebel and elegance! And speaking of rebellion, who could forget those famous pink-tutu wearing Spice Girls? I tell you, darlings, they made a real statement with those fabulous tutus! I knew I was onto something with this whole pink-tutu movement.
I might have hopped back to the future now, darlings, but the magic of 1998 stays with me. It reminds me that tutus have a history, a place in every decade and an enchantment that captivates hearts around the world. It makes me so very excited to see where the future of tutus takes us. Will we be wearing them to the moon? I certainly hope so!
Remember to join me again next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday blog! You never know what vintage time-traveling tutu adventures we'll embark on then!
Lots of pink tutu love,
Emma xx
