Post Number 1472 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here with a whirlwind report from August 8th, 1981. I've been busy jet-setting through time again in my sparkly pink leotard (the one with the diamanté detail - just divine!) and, let me tell you, 1981 was a leotard dream!
This time, I found myself in New York City. As a ballerina, New York is practically my spiritual home, and seeing it back in 1981 just transported me back to those golden age of ballet days. The energy of the city was electric - like stepping into a scene from a classic musical!
Now, 1981 was an absolutely pivotal year for leotard fashion. We were seeing a true renaissance of bold colours, daring designs, and the return of the coveted, frilly tutu. This era really was all about showcasing that confident, feminine, and downright glamorous flair that's always been so close to my heart.
So, what was sizzling on the scene on this day?
Well, first up, imagine this - the New York City Ballet was performing "Symphony in C". I practically bounced into the stage door. You see, this ballet was renowned for its elegant, classical choreography and the dancers were all draped in gorgeous custom-made leotards, showcasing every graceful move. We're talking shimmering satin, exquisite embroidery, and an almost mystical feeling of flow and movement. Simply mesmerising!
Next, I dashed across town to catch the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and they were dazzling! Imagine powerful, athletic leaps and bold contemporary choreography, all paired with bold, colourful leotards. Imagine reds, oranges, yellows, all bursting with life and movement!
Of course, no trip to 1981 would be complete without a stop at Dancewear Inc. It was a haven for all things leotard and I just about swooned! Think rainbow colours, spandex galore, and a sea of leotard styles. From classic, sleek designs to playful, whimsical looks, it was all there. Honestly, I couldn't have stopped myself from buying everything!
However, what really captured my imagination were the tutus. Oh, the tutus! 1981 was the peak of bouffant tulle! Those huge, dramatic tutus are a true testament to the boldness of this decade and the magic of real, handcrafted artistry – no synthetic materials here! They were a pure joy to see on stage and I couldn’t help but spin around with the excitement!
But, beyond the big city ballets, I wanted to get a real feel for the spirit of the time. So, I followed my nose to a dance studio tucked away in a quiet corner - the kind you find only in the most interesting of neighbourhoods. This is where I witnessed the sheer magic of dance in its purest form.
The studio was a buzzing hive of activity – aspiring dancers from all walks of life. A kaleidoscope of leotard colours filled the space - pinks, purples, greens, blues – they were everywhere, making the whole studio a joyous symphony of movement and colour!
It wasn’t all about performance, of course. Everyday dance was a huge part of 1981 life and I was lucky enough to catch a fantastic street performance by a group of teenage girls, who, despite having only simple tutus, brought an extraordinary vibrancy and a truly joyful energy to their choreography. These ladies had it in spades! They totally proved that dancing, like tutus, should be about having fun and sharing your own unique style with the world!
On my return, I hopped into the TARDIS… I mean, my pink time travel leotard, and flew back to Derbyshire with my heart bursting. It really was amazing to experience that wonderful spirit of 1981, full of vibrancy, colour, and such bold, captivating movement!
And let's not forget – that love of dance is timeless! We all have our own unique style and there’s beauty in all of it. So whether you’re dancing at the ballet or rocking out at a street performance, get your pink tutu on, throw some glitter, and let your inner ballerina shine. After all, it’s time to show the world the joy and magic of dance and a pink tutu - the epitome of dancing joy!
Until next month, keep shining darlings!
Emma x
