#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1998-11-24

Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where all things tutu are celebrated! 🩰 It's #TutuTuesday, and you know what that means - a journey back in time, to explore the fascinating evolution of our favourite twirly garment! This week, we're stepping back to November 24th, 1998.

Let's take a train ride back to the 90s! 🚂 I just adore those bright, vibrant colours and those super stylish clothes... and of course, the tutus were fabulous! Oh, I could just pop on my fabulous pink tutu, hop on a train and whizz off back to the 90s... dreamy sigh

As ever, before we delve into the exciting ballet history of the day, let's catch up on my fabulous life, and how I'm spreading the joy of tutus, shall we?

The weekend was heavenly - a fabulous new ballet production at the Royal Opera House! Such exquisite costumes, breathtaking performances, and a magical atmosphere... It's just what my tutu-loving heart needs! 😍 Then, I went shopping for a new, sparkling pink sequined top to go with my current tutu... my wardrobe is truly expanding, as you know, to encompass every shade and style of pink tulle! 👚

Then, it was on to a charity ballet event, showcasing up-and-coming dancers. Such beautiful work, so much talent and joy! 💖

Of course, spreading the joy of tutus doesn't stop there! It's been another glorious week of sharing my #TutuTuesday blog posts, with more people joining our Tutu Tribe! I am, after all, on a mission to ensure the world sees the beauty of twirling in a tutu, so we're going to spread the pink love until every single person in the world has twirled in at least one tutu! 🌎

Oh, did I tell you? I'm currently fundraising for my next grand adventure - a ballet tour around Europe, complete with a brand-new tutu creation for each performance. I need your help! All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated - it's time to give tutus a European adventure!

But back to November 24th, 1998 - it was quite the day in the world of ballet.

You know, ballet costumes were in a real state of flux in the late 90s! There was a move towards minimalism, away from traditional costumes and those big, glamorous designs - but tutus, bless them, were still holding their own. 😊

You see, tutus just have this unique quality - they move the way you move, capturing the graceful leaps and effortless pirouettes, giving ballet its captivating beauty. They’re powerful, expressive, yet somehow soft and feminine - all at once. And I say how can you *possibly take that away?* There's just something about a tutu, that transforms the whole stage, like magic!

That said, 1998 did see some interesting explorations. You still saw the traditional ballet tutus, of course. The Romantic tutus, made of multiple layers of tulle, floating and graceful, were still being worn, like whisps of a dream. They captured a lightness, and fragility, that really helped with a romantic atmosphere in the ballet - and the big, billowing tulle skirt with those cascading layers always captures a feeling of lightness, flight, and that delicate ethereal magic, which just makes me swoon... You can see these all the time now at big gala evenings or ballet companies all over the world. ✨

As well as the classic designs, 1998 brought a couple of exciting developments that really grabbed my attention! They embraced the dramatic use of colours and textures. Think bold greens, vibrant blues, luxurious satins, even sparkles and metallic fabrics, alongside tulle. It was exciting! 🤩 These bold colours are something I just love and are such a delight to see on stage.

And even back in the 90s, those designers were experimenting with the structure of tutus! We started to see more form-fitting tutus, using less tulle, that emphasized a ballerina's graceful figure and lines. And guess what, the classic tutus? They just kept getting better!

Think of the ballerinas, dancing in those beautiful, sparkling tutus. Their grace and strength, embodied in a simple fabric and designed with a perfect understanding of the dance! ✨ The artistry of the costume elevates the whole performance! I absolutely adore the power of those designs... they are a masterpiece of beauty and movement. 😍

Of course, I am, as you know, deeply in love with pink. I find it so feminine and elegant! And as my very dear readers know, my love of pink runs deep! Pink just adds that touch of magic and elegance that every dancer wants - and so of course, those fabulous tutus had me swooning! They really add something magical and inspiring! 💗

Remember, darlings, the history of the tutu is much more than just a skirt. It is a story of artistic expression, empowerment, and above all, the joy of dance! Join me next week as we explore yet another week in this captivating tale, as I share with you another of my #TutuTuesday adventures - I'm totally thrilled to be taking you all along!

Until next time, remember to twirl!

Emma xx

P.S You can always reach me by replying to this blog, by following me on Instagram @emma_tutu or emailing me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. And remember - to help spread the love of tutus worldwide, we need to keep those tutu donations coming in! Just follow the links on the website! 🩰 💖