Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutus! This week, I'm taking you on a time-travelling adventure back to 9th November, 1999.
Grab your sparkly shoes and hold onto your tiaras because this is going to be a dazzling journey through the history of ballet tutus!
As usual, I'm wearing my trusty pink tutu – this time it's a fluffy, swirling tulle dream that twirls like a perfect ballerina dream. I found it tucked away in a vintage shop in Paris (naturally), and I simply couldn't resist its charm!
Anyway, back to our history lesson! November 9th, 1999… what were tutus up to?
Well, the year 1999 was a splendid year for ballet! You see, ballet is like a captivating story that gets spun with every season, every performance, and every little girl's dream to twirl!
But let's dive back into time…
1999: A Year of Ballerina Glamour
Remember the turn of the century? This was a time when the world was buzzing with excitement about the year 2000, and it seems the world of ballet was getting in on the action too! It was a time of bold experimentation and dazzling innovation within ballet's beautiful world.
We were seeing more tutus made from new and unusual materials, with bold colour combinations that would make even the most flamboyant of swans proud! The emphasis was on drama and impact, making sure tutus were a major feature on stage. They were practically shouting, "Look at us!" And I wouldn't have it any other way!
Speaking of swans, did you know Swan Lake has been the biggest hit in ballet for years and years?! In 1999, it was no different! I actually caught a spectacular rendition of The Royal Ballet's Swan Lake performance in London, a magical masterpiece of ethereal grace. Oh, the tutus were divine! They were simply whispers of swans, feathers catching the light with a dreamy air. You could see the passion and artistry pouring out of those beautiful dancers, right into their dazzling tutus.
Remember the name Darcey Bussell? She was one of the stars at this time. A beautiful dancer with elegance and effortless grace who helped usher in the age of contemporary tutus - you know, those designs that are more experimental, taking inspiration from modern fashion and incorporating all sorts of colours and materials!
But let's talk about something I absolutely adore: shopping! I just knew you would love to know what fashion trends were swirling in ballet stores back in 1999! There was an explosion of shiny, satiny tutus, in vivid colours like turquoise, electric blue, and fiery red! These tutus just screamed "I'm going to dance all night long! ". I bet you can almost feel the shimmer in the air, can't you?
Now, this isn't about traditional ballet styles alone. This was a period where contemporary ballet began to break new ground. Think of the freedom of expression, where tutu design began to step out of its comfort zone! This was when the idea of "everyday tutus" emerged, and that’s a trend we've embraced so joyfully. The tutu was no longer just for stage, it found its way into the streets and onto everyday outfits! I’m sure you’re all with me on that. Isn't it wonderful how tutus can bring a touch of sparkle and joy to any situation?
But how do you choose a tutu when there are so many to choose from? It's like having the entire sweet shop in front of you – which candy do you pick?! Well, here's my golden tip - never be afraid to try something new! That’s how I find the most amazing tutus – a mix of classic and contemporary styles!
So, that's a quick time-hopping peek at the tutu scene of 1999! It was a year of ballet brilliance, and you could almost feel the twirls in the air!
*Did you know that on the 9th November, 1999… *
… a special event happened? The first ever edition of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ aired in the United States. Just imagine! Stars twirling with the professionals on the world-famous stage - that is something truly special! They weren’t all in tutus but I just know we were in the sweet spot of ballet and dancing fever. It feels so surreal that time moves on so fast, doesn’t it? But don't you worry, I'll be back every Tuesday with another Tutu Tuesday adventure, where we’ll travel through time together.
Don't forget, I’m a big advocate for making every day feel like a Tutu Tuesday! So put on your fluffiest skirt and twirl with pride. What do you say? Pink Tutu time!
Oh, and before I forget, don't miss my Time Traveling Tutus exhibition - that’s my current project. It’s a special collection of historical tutus and I will be showing them off at a fabulous event next week in London - watch this space!
See you next Tuesday, lovelies! Emma xo
