Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers!
It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another blast from the past on my Ballet Tutu History blog! This week we're stepping back to a fabulous era of tutus - 25th August 1998! Oh, darling, how I wish I could hop on my trusty time machine and be back there myself!
Now, you might think 1998 is just a blip on the timeline - just a few years back. But darling, believe me, the tutu landscape has changed so much since then. We're going to dive into the trends, the designs, the styles and see just how far we've come since those glittering years.
Before I start my journey through time, don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com - where I post all my blogs about the history of the tutu, and all the exciting happenings in the ballet world. I am a ballet fanatic, from ballet street shows and the latest fashion, through to ballet performances on stage, I am mad about it all. And darling, don’t forget, I am on a mission to get everyone to wear a pink tutu! You can find out all about my mission, all my trips and my fashion finds right here!
Off We Go! Back to the 90s!This Tuesday, I am channelling my inner 90s ballerina, my darling, in a gorgeous pink tulle tutu, naturally! So, with a swish of my skirt and a flourish of my arms, let’s begin!
Fashion Spotlight: 1998, darling, was the height of the '90s fashion boom. So we were seeing a whole heap of styles inspired by the big trends in everything from music to television, as well as fashion icons like Princess Diana, Kate Moss and Geri Halliwell (of the Spice Girls - she had some great little black numbers!).
It wasn’t just a fashion explosion, it was a kaleidoscope of colour and daring patterns!
The classic tulle tutu, as we know it today, was still ruling the stage. The full and airy shapes were absolutely dreamy. Remember that incredible Giselle scene in the Royal Ballet in 1998, with Sylvie Guillem and Laurent Hilaire? Talk about an ethereal vision in tulle.
There was also a growing popularity of layered tutus, especially in the modern ballet scene. Designers were playing with different colours and fabrics, even introducing some innovative new materials, all in a quest to push the boundaries of design! And darling, it wasn’t all pastel colours. It was daring and it was strong! Think bright, saturated colour for that contemporary style.
But It’s More Than Just Tutu:
Oh my darling! A tutu doesn't just have to be worn in a dance performance! If you're dreaming of looking fabulous, think of that dramatic and powerful style for everyday fashion, as it was starting to trickle through into fashion back in 1998!
Imagine this, a fabulous tulle tutu, but instead of white, a dazzling pink. Think delicate fabrics and subtle touches of silk!
It was a fantastic era to be exploring, experimenting and just letting the fashion creativity fly!
Dancing to the Tune of 1998:
You might ask, Emma darling, "what could possibly be happening on stage in a ballet theatre on this day, 25th August 1998?".
I must say, darling, I would have loved to be in the Royal Opera House on that day, for The Nutcracker. They had their annual, fabulous performance, a family favourite in all its festive splendour!
And over in Derbyshire, England (where I come from!), I can imagine the Sleeping Beauty cast from the Derbyshire Ballet, a wonderful group of performers, was performing, the costumes alone, are just glorious. The ballerina and the prince dancing together in that magnificent ballroom. Absolutely heavenly!
Darling, imagine this scene! In a glorious cathedral, maybe Ely or Lincoln the National Ballet’s production of the Firebird, so colourful and flamboyant with its firebird and prince. If you could step back in time, you’d have felt those vibrations and energies and you’d hear the wonderful ballet score. I can almost smell the warm wood and the scent of those ancient cathedral walls.
The 90s darling, was all about that ballet romance and bringing The Firebird and The Nutcracker back into focus.
Remember darling: These tutu moments, these iconic pieces, that you can see on the stage and in galleries today, it is all thanks to designers and ballerinas of those years!
I love seeing how far we've come - the tutus that have been dreamed up, designed and danced in since then, are phenomenal.
This week I have seen so many dancers wearing tutus - in London, Derbyshire, Paris, Berlin, Italy! - with a style that’s all about a love for the classic tulle combined with a sprinkle of that bold 90s attitude.
Until next time my dearest Tutu Twirlers! Stay pink! Stay fabulous! And don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com!
Your Tutu Time-Travelling Friend,
Emma
