Christmas Ballet in 1987

Hey Tutu Tribe! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballet fanatic, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! This week, we're venturing back in time, travelling back to the year 1987 for another magical Christmas ballet history deep dive. Get those pink tutus ready, darlings, it's going to be a truly dazzling trip!

1987: a year of shoulder pads, big hair and truly epic ballets. From my trip to 1987, I can confirm that, even though the world of ballet fashion was a bit more 'disco' than 'deconstructed', they knew how to pull out the big guns for Christmas! Just picture it: a glittering, sequined world, full of ballerinas in shimmering leotards and flowing tutus, all shimmering under a twinkling Christmas tree. And just for you, I've dug up some festive ballet fashion must-haves from the 80s - trust me, you're going to love it.

While The Nutcracker was, and always will be, the iconic Christmas ballet, 1987 was a year for iconic ballet moments. And, guess what? The Royal Ballet's production of 'The Nutcracker' was the star of the show, with stunning costumes by the legendary Nicholas Georgiadis and dazzling set design that transformed the Royal Opera House into a winter wonderland. Can you even imagine?

But there was more than just Tchaikovsky on the dancefloor. Here in Derbyshire, a small local theatre in Bakewell held an intimate production of *"The Sleeping Beauty." * The stage wasn't as large as London, but it was utterly enchanting, full of festive magic and traditional fairytale charm. As a dancer, it always reminds me of the magic of small productions - there is a raw passion that can't be recreated in the larger world of big, professional productions.

Of course, no Christmas season would be complete without *The Snowman, a tale as magical as falling snow. With its delightful blend of ballet and animation, the 1987 Christmas TV show became a national obsession and a Christmas classic, captivating the hearts of millions.

Now let's talk about the ballet fashion from 1987, because darling, you need to see what those fabulous ballerinas were wearing! I swear, the glitz and glam are everything. Imagine leg warmers that literally looked like they'd been dipped in sparkles! You’ve got to have your leggings with leg warmers over the top. Add a splash of vibrant colour like an electric blue or shocking pink, and it’s pure 80’s fashion heaven! It was such a fabulously festive, sparkly look.

My all-time favourite from the 1987 ballet scene? The tutus! From fluffy, romantic to dramatic, full-skirted marvels, the ballerinas truly embraced every form of tutu. Just picture a tutu with a sparkly, pink, net overlay. And don't even get me started on those feather boas! You're talking about a whole new level of fluffy elegance! And let's not forget those ballerina buns, topped off with sparkly headbands – you can almost hear the "Jingle Bells" now!

As 1987 draws to a close, it's time for my Christmas tradition - reflecting on the magic that ballet brings every year. From the incredible dance moments to the fabulous fashion, the festive spirit is truly alive! And just to remember this fabulous season, I've made a note in my pink tutu planner - a small note that will inspire me as I travel through time - so that we can experience it again next year.

So, to finish off, what's on your 2023 Christmas ballet watchlist, darlings? I’ve been trying out the latest street dance styles to fund my trips through time and everyone seems to be loving my street dance moves when wearing my pink tutu. Just last night I managed to pick up a rather fetching bright pink tulle tutu for £5 - a steal! What Christmas ballets have you been watching this season? And what do you think of those fabulous 80s ballet fashion choices? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to keep your tutu sparkly, and we'll see you in next week's post!

Ciao, darlings, and Happy Christmas,

Emma xx

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