History of Ballet in 1890

Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu enthusiast, bringing you another dive into the world of ballet history! This time we’re twirling our way back to the glorious year 1890. Buckle up your ballet shoes and let’s have a peek at what the world of ballet was up to, shall we?

It’s a busy month for yours truly! As you know, I spend my free time (after my day job, of course) performing street ballet! The sheer joy on the faces of people who get to see ballet outside the theatre, especially the kids, is worth more than any tutu could ever cost. Last week I was in Derbyshire (how lovely to be home!) for the Derby Summer Festival. Now, I didn’t quite feel at home wearing my bright pink tutu among all the crafts and cakes. But the kids loved it! It’s the best thing ever to see them get so excited. Maybe next year, I'll try my hand at a “Ballet and Cream Teas” theme. Oh, imagine! Tea and pink tutus, who could ask for more?

Anyway, I’ve been meaning to write about 1890 for ages. There were so many fabulous things happening in the world of ballet, it felt like the entire world was swirling around in tutus! Let’s dive into the history books together, shall we?

1890 saw some truly fantastic choreographic masterpieces being unveiled to the world! A beautiful Russian ballerina called Anna Pavlova had just debuted, and boy, did she make a splash! Anna's grace was legendary. Her dancing was like a dream, all fluidity and poetry. She captured hearts across the world with her interpretations of roles like “The Dying Swan.” Now, I have to say, swan lake has always been my favourite, and seeing Anna in this role just melts my heart! The performance was an emotional masterpiece - Anna's beauty and grace truly moved her audiences, making them weep and cheer in equal measure.

While Anna was mesmerising the audiences, another choreographer was changing the landscape of ballet – Marius Petipa! Now, I simply adore his work, don’t you? His incredible “Sleeping Beauty” made a comeback at the Imperial Theatres in St Petersburg. Talk about a showstopper! This magical story and Petipa’s brilliant choreography made for a spectacle unlike any other, filling the entire stage with fairy tale magic and captivating everyone in the audience.

Of course, no ballet history journey is complete without mentioning our lovely Tchaikovsky! He composed such lovely scores! And his work with Petipa on “The Sleeping Beauty,” oh, my dear readers! I cannot describe it in words. I had the privilege of seeing it on a recent time travel trip to 1890! It’s everything I dreamed it would be – full of life, magic, and music that lingers long after the last curtain falls!

Now, no trip back in time would be complete without checking out the latest fashion trends! This year saw some fantastic developments in ballet fashion! The Romantic era was beginning to reach its peak! Let's face it, tutus were always a favourite of mine. 1890 tutus were a mix of grace, simplicity, and dramatic flare! We are talking beautiful soft tulles with layers and layers of flouncy frills, so they would billow and swirl gracefully, creating this absolutely romantic feel to their movements. I loved their simple design, using fabrics that flowed effortlessly, giving dancers like Anna Pavlova that delicate ethereal look!

The fashion wasn't limited to just tutus though! We are talking some exquisite embellishments, embroidery and sequins - a truly magical display of artistic expression. Imagine the artistry behind those embroidered tutus and beautifully ornate costumes. It was all about creating these ethereal visions! Oh, my! What would I do to experience 1890 ballet first-hand? To stand among the crowd, hear that beautiful music, and watch the incredible performances in all their grandeur.

But fear not my dears! Because you, dear reader, don't have to just dream about these things. I'm heading to a “Sleeping Beauty” show next week, so if you want to join me in getting your ballet fix, then follow my socials. There's nothing like experiencing ballet live! It really does set your soul ablaze with all that romanticism!

And as for pink tutus… Well, 1890 had some stunningly beautiful colours for costumes - from dreamy pinks to the rich golds of royalty. However, nothing is quite as glamorous as a perfectly fitted, soft, beautiful, fluffy pink tutu! This era had plenty of pink, but not nearly enough! As you all know, my mission is to get every woman on earth in a pink tutu, even if it's just one step at a time!

Until next time my lovely followers, keep dancing, keep twirling, and don’t forget, always rock that pink tutu with pride!

See you next time for another installment of pink-tutu history! Stay stylish, stay beautiful, stay bold.