Hello darlings! It’s your favourite tutu-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday post! 🩰
This week we’re whizzing back to the 2nd of March, 2004. Now, 2004 was a right corker of a year! I was still galavanting about in Derbyshire, enjoying all the best shops and fashion, of course, before my time travel adventures began. (Don’t tell my mum I’ve admitted to that - she still thinks I’m studying abroad!) Anyway, I must say, a lot has happened in the tutu world since then. I remember in 2004 the big talk was about all the new ways ballet companies were putting on their shows. They were trying out funky new music, super modern staging and sometimes even using real everyday props instead of all those fancy ones you find at the Royal Opera House. Quite scandalous really, but then again, who am I to judge?! 😉
Let’s take a quick peek at what was hot on 2nd March 2004:
The London Fashion Week was taking place! My, oh, my, was there ever so much beautiful frocks to be seen on the catwalk, darlings! Some designers were really pushing the boundaries with those high heels and fabulous statement earrings, I was inspired for days! Speaking of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet were also hard at work, putting on a rather special performance of The Sleeping Beauty. Now, that ballet has always been my absolute favourite. I adore the fairy costumes - they always have the most wonderful delicate wings! I had been watching this ballet at the Royal Opera House for years. The first time I saw it, I nearly cried! You’d be surprised how emotionally invested you can get in a piece of art that’s over 100 years old, but that’s the power of ballet.
Now, let's talk about tutus themselves! The year 2004 marked a real change in how tutus were viewed in the wider world. Back then, people only ever associated them with ballet. How times have changed!
That’s not to say there wasn't lots of talk about tutus on the ballet stage. You wouldn’t believe the excitement over a new company called New York City Ballet making a real splash with The Nutcracker. They even managed to put on a fantastic performance of Sleeping Beauty to huge applause from all over. But in 2004, you would have been hard pushed to see a tutu worn on the high street. Nobody would have dared to dream that it could be a fashion staple, especially for every day wear. That’s how things were, back in the day!
I find it hilarious, you see, how those in-the-know who went to fashion school were only ever inspired by fashion. Fashion school is very competitive and everyone just tries to copy other designers. Well I went and done what everyone said I couldn't: I found inspiration outside of the typical world of fashion and made a real, real splash with my own personal style! I must be careful what I say because if the designers find out how simple my inspiration is, my life will be very uncomfortable indeed. Oh well.
Right then, darlings, that’s it from your trusty #TutuTuesday travel blogger! I can't wait to show you all my pink tulle designs at the next ballet show, so stay tuned for updates.
Happy tutuing! 😘😘😘
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
