Oh darling, it's Tutu Tuesday again! Isn't it just the most divine day of the week? My tutu's all preened and perfectly pink and I'm sitting here in the most wonderful Parisian cafe, ready to take you all on another trip through ballet history. Fancy a croissant while you learn about the past? Of course, darling! Now, put on your very best, most glamorous tutu and get ready to take a whirlwind journey with me... back to 10th November, 1998.
Now, this particular Tuesday was extra exciting because we were gearing up for a big one at the ballet. A special event called “Ballet for the Millennium,” which would take place in just a couple of weeks! It was a chance to celebrate the beginning of the 21st century and, of course, we were going to be there, tutu and all! The performance featured all the stars, and I even managed to snag a ticket for the gala premiere – wouldn’t you just die? The whole Parisian ballet world was abuzz with anticipation!
The year 1998 was such a dazzling time for tutus, you wouldn't believe! Designers were absolutely swooning over delicate layers and soft, floaty fabrics. Remember those stunning tulle dresses? Oh darling, those were something else! They were a whirlwind of fabric, so billowing and beautiful. It's funny to think now that a tutu might sometimes get a little...unruly, what with all that fluttering around. But trust me, the designers back then absolutely nailed it. Those layers were as breathtaking as they were delicate, just like the finest clouds.
Speaking of ballet, 10th November, 1998, also saw a rather spectacular performance of the "Sleeping Beauty." Now, this was no ordinary ballet performance, mind you, because it took place in the exquisite Palais Garnier. Have you ever been, my darling? It's absolutely grand, and I have to confess I had the best seat in the house – right next to the box reserved for the French aristocracy. Imagine all the gossip, and the glittering jewels and the oh-so-stylish ladies with their fabulous fans. It was divine!.
Did you know that the “Sleeping Beauty” wasn't actually brand new back then? No, darling, its debut was back in the glorious days of 1890. Now, wouldn't that have been quite the spectacle! Imagine seeing a real-life princess with the grace and artistry of a dancer. I think it's no coincidence that the ballet still enjoys a phenomenal run all these years later, it really is a true masterpiece!
Now, imagine my surprise, darling, when I jumped onto a vintage train bound for London. Yes, London! Imagine it, travelling to London by train, on a rather cold November day! You wouldn’t have thought I'd leave my lovely French café and journey all the way over there, right? Well, I couldn’t help but check out the amazing “Dancing with the Stars” show on at The Palladium. Don't you just adore watching all the celebrities try to master those incredible pirouettes? They’re truly putting in the hours in those rehearsals! The London premiere, with a real-life royalty watching, had me truly enthralled!
Did you know that all this amazing dancing meant an awful lot of tutu designers in London were hard at work? My favourite ones included Caroline Castigliano who had this gorgeous atelier in London. I’m certain she did those delicate little bows you see on the tutus, she really made them such exquisite touches! It was such a busy year, she really was in high demand with the world of stage and screen - her amazing designs would be seen across theatre productions and glamorous film sets!
The trend wasn't just about stage costumes either, you know! Ballet has such a big impact on everyday fashion and you can totally see it in those 1998 designs. Everyone was obsessed with fluffy dresses, that floaty chiffon that gave such an elegant silhouette - all of this with those delicate little lace edges, just divine!
It's a wonderful feeling to see the way tutus make everyone smile and dance along. They're such a joy, and you simply can't go wrong with a little sparkle on a tutu! Speaking of sparkles, 10th November 1998, also marked the anniversary of that gorgeous ballerina Margot Fonteyn's birth. Talk about an inspiration! She'd make a tutu look absolutely phenomenal. I still have some of her photos - I do hope that one day I can have a ballet class where every single one of us dances in a perfect little pink tutu just like hers. She'd certainly be approving, I'm sure.
So there you have it, darling - a little slice of tutu history from 10th November, 1998! Do you love all the fun we had learning a little bit about the year in which everything glittered and twirled? Do you have any favourite ballerina or dancers? Do you have a favorite colour tutu? Remember to get your pink tutu ready and come join me here for another dazzling journey into Tutu Tuesday next week! See you all then!
Emma Pink Tutu Princess www.pink-tutu.com
