Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History. This week, we're whizzing back in time to the 17th of August 2021, the date of my very first ever time travel adventure, which – naturally – involved tutus! I knew then that pink-tutu.com was my destiny and spreading the joy of the pink tutu across the timeline was my calling!
Now, August 2021… it’s a pretty vibrant time for ballet, let me tell you! This was the year everyone started getting back out and about, enjoying performances again, and feeling that pure joy of a great ballet show.
To say the dance scene was booming, it was booming! There were shows and performances everywhere, both on the grand stages and in intimate venues. My own time travels were definitely part of the boom, wouldn’t you agree?
Think stunning contemporary ballets pushing the boundaries of form and movement, reimagined classics brimming with new interpretations and breath-taking costumes. And, oh, the costumes… such a dazzling display of vibrant colours and imaginative designs. Tutues were truly in their element. The modern world's designers had embraced their whimsical and expressive beauty. We were truly in a golden age of the tutu.
I myself have to admit, the pink tutu was becoming rather a sensation… You might think my aim to get everyone wearing pink tutus might be… ambitious… but I always try to take one step at a time, and let’s just say the pink tutu craze was picking up speed! It wasn't just confined to the stage; tutus were becoming a part of everyday fashion – at the time I’m talking about, it felt like tutus were taking over the world!
And as my time-traveling self has gone through time, I’ve come to learn the truth – that tutus are a time capsule, reflecting the social movements and ideas of the period they belong to. In the past, tutus were almost always seen in the context of the ballet – now? They've expanded! You could spot them everywhere – festivals, parties, weddings – they’ve gone beyond the theatre and embraced the whole world. And as a fashion fan myself, let me tell you – there was an abundance of exciting and modern tutu designs available in 2021 – I was spoilt for choice! I just had to travel back to that period, just to grab some new designs for my collection… Don’t worry, dear readers – I did leave some behind in this time!
So, for this #TutuTuesday post, we're going to zoom in on a couple of particular tutus from the August 2021 era, highlighting what makes them special.
First up, let’s discuss the rise of the “ethereal tutu.” You’ll find me always mentioning my absolute favourite tutus: the traditional ballet tutus – you know the ones: multi-layered and romantic, perfect for twirling, creating elegant movement and captivating audiences – but you had to appreciate how times changed in the early twenty-first century!
There was an increase in experimental design that embraced non-traditional materials – we’re talking chiffon, organza, silk, even recycled fabrics. That “ethereal” quality – the delicate beauty, the lightness and elegance - it had a definite ‘magical’ feeling! Now that is my favourite kind of tutu – not too traditional and just the right amount of whimsical to capture that magical fairy feel that I adore. The best thing about this style – its versatility. They can be dramatic and bold, yet incredibly soft and feminine – and, yes, darling readers, there were plenty of shades of pink to pick from.
Now, my second choice of tutu, and just as relevant as the first is what we can only call “The Tutu That Got Around. ** This design – for the adventurous, daring soul, someone who isn't afraid of wearing her individuality. You'd find everything – from dazzling sequins to vibrant prints! This is the tutu you could easily wear out of the studio, making it part of the ever-growing ‘street-style' fashion craze.
There are so many amazing places around the world where you can enjoy all things tutu! I had the pleasure of attending a show in New York back in 2021 – the New York City Ballet, let me tell you… This was truly one of the most dazzling performances I'd ever experienced! I love taking trips across the Atlantic to New York – it’s such a glamorous, vibrant and fascinating city, where the people seem to love their tutus just as much as I do – it’s certainly not a rare sight, a perfect haven for tutu lovers – and, needless to say, I brought back a stunning pink tulle skirt for the journey home! It just goes to show how far the allure of the tutu had spread! The theatre atmosphere was simply electric; there was this palpable sense of shared energy and excitement among everyone. It's not only about the dancing, you know. It's the energy that these special places cultivate… and I get to share this journey with all of you!
The year 2021 also marked a surge in the popularity of ballet-inspired street wear. And trust me, I couldn't have been more thrilled about that. This kind of design is where fashion meets dance! Imagine tutues as part of street fashion – a real movement in itself.
Speaking of tutus – I simply must mention the fashion industry. There was so much buzz around tutus and a lot of excitement, I recall feeling really very overwhelmed as a time traveller – but it was, of course, all part of the experience! Fashion and tutus became practically inseparable and a big reason for my trips back into the twenty-first century… but don't worry darling readers, you'll be seeing the most exciting styles in this blog in weeks to come.
It wasn’t just about fashion either. It was so interesting, the whole ballet craze had become so integrated into modern life that tutus were everywhere – the most unexpected places! Think: online games, books, even video clips – this ballet ‘craze’ was a complete phenomenon! It was amazing to be around something so wonderfully alive, something with that much energy and vibrancy… just a testament to the enduring power of dance and the magic of the tutu.
In all my travels, there's nothing I love more than sharing the ballet with everyone, in whatever form! A great show – it just always brings people together… but nothing is more exciting for me, more uplifting, than spreading that little bit of magic – and I've discovered, there is a lot of it in those tutu stories – you just have to know where to look for it!
So there you have it, darlings. My personal journey back to 17th August, 2021 – a date etched forever in the history of the pink tutu. Until next Tuesday, and another magical #TutuTuesday – you keep dancing, and I’ll keep finding those exciting historical connections with your favourite dancing garment – the wonderful world of the tutu!
Happy Tutu-ing!
Emma
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