Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado. Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus reign supreme and pink is the only acceptable colour. Today, for our #TutuTuesday journey, we're stepping back in time to November 12th, 2002! Buckle up, lovelies, it's gonna be a vintage treat!
Oh, and speaking of vintage, you wouldn't believe the vintage find I scored at the Paris flea market last weekend. A real showstopper! It's a little black sequined tutu with an amazing, feather boa-trimmed top - practically begging for a dramatic entrance on stage! Now, back to our time travel!
Now, darling, if you can imagine a world without the sleek, shimmering fabrics and beautifully sculpted bodices of today's tutus… It was all very different, my dears! 2002 was a world of billowing, bouncy skirts and lots and lots of tulle!
Honestly, the amount of tulle they used back then was absolutely bonkers! I can only imagine the storage space they needed in those ballet schools - and let’s not forget the cost! Now, I adore the soft romantic look, especially when the skirts are catching the stage lights and swirling like dreams, but sometimes it could get a bit much, darling!
But here’s the thing, a little known fact (don't tell everyone, it's my secret weapon!)… tutu construction was quite advanced back then. It's all about clever tailoring, my dears. You could fit an entire orchestra under a tutu skirt, but it would still be light as a feather, making it perfect for those delicate pirouettes and grand jetés!
Imagine my delight when I discovered a quaint little antique shop in London earlier this week! I found the most adorable, little tutu, about three tiers of pristine, white tulle! I snagged it up faster than a Royal Ballet principal dancer can do a triple pirouette! It was a proper find, believe me, darling!
Let's rewind to 2002 for a second. Ballet was just about to step into the 21st century, a bold new world for tutu lovers! There were some new additions to the tutu world. Some new trends started appearing on the stage, giving the classic a bit of an exciting makeover! For example, in the Royal Ballet, we saw a lot of tutus with bold, geometric lines, giving that traditional silhouette a sleek modern edge. It was so much fun to see the old-fashioned tutus taking a walk on the wild side, embracing something more contemporary!
And, wouldn't you know it, my sweet little darling, but right here on November 12th, 2002, there were three stunning ballet performances happening! You could find "La Sylphide" at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Can you imagine the breathtaking choreography paired with those majestic, classical tutus? Now, that's what I call an unforgettable night at the ballet!
In the UK, the English National Ballet was staging "The Nutcracker", which is a personal favourite! Those tutus! Absolutely darling, all with sparkly accents, giving off the kind of magic that only Christmas lights and beautiful dance can create! They really took advantage of the shimmer and sparkle trends that were taking over fashion. And then, the final act? Don't even get me started on the Sugar Plum Fairy's tutu, it was pure dreamy extravagance!
And to add a little Parisian je ne sais quoi, "Don Quixote" was playing at the Opéra Garnier in Paris! Oh darling, I could just picture myself waltzing around the gorgeous gilded stage in a tulle dress - maybe with a pink sash, just for extra oomph! Those Spanish tutus are a vision in scarlet and black. Just imagine, those dramatic swirling skirts!
Don't forget the ballet classes! Oh, the excitement of seeing all the aspiring little dancers in their adorable tutus! And let's be honest, darling, seeing them twirling about with pure joy is the ultimate fashion statement! Seeing those mini ballerinas with their vibrant coloured leotards and sparkly tutus? Now that's what I call a real showstopper!
Speaking of leotards, I've recently started wearing them around Derbyshire! It's a little unconventional, darling, but it feels so freeing. And pairing it with a tulle skirt, it gives you this adorable, quirky look that just oozes elegance and sass. Everyone needs a little more pink in their lives, darling!
My motto, darling? "Live life in pink!" Whether you’re watching a classic performance like "Giselle" in a romantic tulle tutu or attending a modern ballet in a futuristic, geometric version, it's the perfect excuse to get dressed up! Now, who needs another excuse for a fancy dress-up day?
And just like that, darling, our time travel ends. What an exciting, stylish journey, don’t you think? But our Tutu Tuesday is never over, just taking a pause until next week, when we'll explore even more tutus and the delightful history behind them. Be sure to join me next Tuesday for another adventure! And don't forget to share your own pink tutu adventures on our website at www.pink-tutu.com.
Until next time, darlings, stay fabulous, stay stylish, and stay twirly!
Emma 💖
