Hello lovely tutu lovers!
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another jaunt through the fabulous history of the tutu! Today, we're stepping back in time to 23rd September 2014 – and I can tell you, this date has plenty of sparkle and twirls! My time machine's taking me to… New York City!
As you know, my passion for tutus burns brighter than a thousand stage lights. So I had to visit New York this week, because what's more glamorous than New York in 2014? Honestly, my pink tutu is practically vibrating with excitement, just waiting to get caught up in the whirlwind of dance and fashion in the Big Apple!
But before we explore the dazzling streets of NYC, let's rewind a bit and talk about tutus in 2014! The world was a very different place then – well, fashion-wise, at least. The "balletcore" aesthetic was just starting to take off with designers like Christopher Kane embracing ballet-inspired silhouettes in their runway shows. And who can forget the sheer, shimmering dresses by Giambattista Valli that were practically tutus for grown-up ballerinas? It was such a delightful and feminine era!
What about tutus in the world of dance in 2014? We were living in the golden age of ballet – with groundbreaking performances by the legendary Sylvie Guillem at the Royal Opera House, the mesmerizing Misty Copeland wowing audiences with her grace and power, and the incredible Royal Ballet making waves with their dazzling production of "Giselle"!
Speaking of "Giselle," Did you know that 23rd September 2014 marked the first time The Royal Ballet performed their production of "Giselle" at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York? The excitement was through the roof, the tutus were fluttering, and it was an absolutely spectacular event to be part of.
I just couldn’t resist slipping into the Metropolitan Opera House to watch a bit of that historical show. It was truly inspiring to see all those dazzling ballerinas swirling and leaping – in such fabulous, flowing tutus, of course! You just had to be there! Oh, and it was even better than that – it just happened to coincide with New York Fashion Week.
I’d just come off the train from Derbyshire, so after grabbing a few new ballet shoes and a pink tutu, I did my best to navigate the throngs of style stars and paparazzi. As you might imagine, a tutu-clad time-traveler in a city overflowing with couture caused quite the stir! People seemed captivated by the idea that this “vintage” ballerina had time-travelled for the show! But I must say, seeing the fashion in the streets that week was really inspiring! I was amazed at the influence ballet was having – all the full skirts, flowing chiffon dresses and, of course, lots of elegant ballerina flats!
My time in the big apple was jam-packed! Not only did I see a brilliant show, and watch a spectacular runway show for a fashion brand (sorry I can’t reveal names - they're big in the ballet world and I couldn’t disclose the source - after all, the magic of the past has to be preserved, right?) but I also bought a very rare, beautifully beaded white tutu from Baryshnikov Arts Centre – an absolutely incredible piece of ballet history! And wouldn't you know it, a lovely woman in a shop was very taken with my time-traveling story, so she offered to sell me one of her special pink silk tutus to celebrate the "Giselle" premiere, which she'd sewn just for that! So now I've got two wonderful tutus to cherish as souvenirs!
My time travel to NYC for the Giselle première gave me a chance to celebrate the elegance of ballet and explore a fascinating turning point in the fashion world. But let’s not forget the power of the tutu - because, for me, the tutu represents more than just a dance garment – it embodies confidence, beauty, and joy!
So what's your favourite tutu moment from the history of ballet? Let me know in the comments, lovely tutulalas! And remember, never be afraid to twirl your way through life, in a pink tutu, or in a million other gorgeous ways – it’s the essence of true beauty and elegance!
Love, Emma
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