#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1998-10-13

Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time-travelling fashionista, Emma, here! Today we're venturing back to the glorious era of 1998! 🕰️

Oh my, how I love the vibrant, playful 90s! The fashion, the music, and of course, the glorious tutus! You're probably thinking, "Emma, we just did a post about the 90s, what more could you possibly have to say?" But trust me, my darlings, the 90s were a wonderland for tutus, a cornucopia of colour and styles. And, today we're digging deep into what makes this era so very special.

This week I've landed myself in London, the capital of ballet! There's something absolutely magical about the air here, the streets bustling with excitement, the sense of anticipation as you head towards a show. It’s infectious, like the thrill of seeing a brand new tutu at the shops – just gotta have it!

Today is a particularly special day in the world of ballet – the Royal Opera House is putting on Swan Lake! Can you imagine?! I’ve even snagged myself a prime seat in the Royal Circle – posh indeed! But of course, no trip to London would be complete without some high-street retail therapy. I’m already imagining myself twirling through the city in a new, oh-so-elegant tutu!

But let’s step back into the past, shall we?

The 1990s saw a delightful transformation in ballet tutu style! If you've seen photographs of ballerinas in the 50s or 60s, you'll likely remember very structured, heavily layered tulle skirts. These tutus were beautiful, of course, but oh so very rigid. In the 1990s, we saw a blossoming of new shapes and silhouettes - think looser skirts, more delicate layers, and tutus designed for greater freedom of movement!

This newfound fluidity reflected a shift in ballet itself. Choreographers like Matthew Bourne and Jiří Kylián were challenging traditional structures, incorporating more contemporary techniques into their productions. It's exciting, and it truly shines through in the dramatic evolution of tutu designs.

Think of bold colours and unexpected prints, darlings! Think of vibrant neons, luxurious metallics, and daring animal prints. This wasn't just a world of pure white!

Think of innovative textures. Think lace, sequins, even feathers, with bold splashes of colour and a whimsical edge! It was a time when ballerinas felt free to experiment with materials and embrace the sheer delight of playful style.

Oh, the memories!

And my darlings, we can't talk about 90s ballet without mentioning the iconic Darcey Bussell!

You know, I'm absolutely in awe of her, even in the future! But I think I love the Swan Lake performance she gave in 1995 at the Royal Opera House in London most of all. She’s an exceptional dancer, a true professional who carries her performances with such grace and charm!

Now, to bring this to our time-travel focus, remember how this incredible dancer (who, let’s face it, practically owned the ballet stage!), in Swan Lake, actually performed with a pink tutu! Now, if that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the amazing 1990s and why I love them, I don’t know what does!

Think of the fashion trends of the 90s! And I know, of course, it was such a bold move for Darcey, too. It was something utterly different for the world of ballet – such a beautiful way to make ballet feel fun and fresh. So chic!

Oh my, I’m already getting so excited for this evening! We're headed back to the station to grab a train to the heart of London. You know me, I simply adore a journey by train – and especially a journey through London. I’ve popped on my own new pink tutu with my trusty (and fabulous) pink hat, of course. Just love that elegant vintage style, which is totally perfect with a classic ballet-style pink tutu – the perfect outfit for any journey, especially one to Swan Lake.

Speaking of which… just to remind you – don't forget to visit my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History archives on the www.pink-tutu.com site for past posts!

Until next Tuesday, darlings, may your tutus be pink and your lives full of twirls! 💖✨