Hello my darlings! It’s your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, back with another adventure! Buckle up your pointe shoes, because this month we’re taking a trip to Victorian England, specifically February 2nd, 1843!
(This is blog post number 2186 for those keeping track, find me every month on www.pink-tutu.com! You can also follow me on Balletgram, where I’m @PinkTutuEmma!)
This time, my trusty steed, Magic Meg (she’s a pink-sparkling shire with a heart of gold – or rather, a shimmering mane of white!) carried me right into the heart of London, where the buzz of theatre and fashion was truly electrifying! Now, this being the era of the Romantic ballet, I was just aching to see what kind of shows were captivating audiences back then!
Imagine my delight when I discovered that the most celebrated ballerina of the day, Carlotta Grisi, was gracing the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre with La Fille du Régiment! The whole world was smitten with Grisi! I simply had to see for myself why!
You know, darling, you can't go back in time without doing a little bit of research. This month, I wanted to discover all about Grisi! What made this ballerina such a global icon? What did audiences love about her? And of course, what did she wear! It turned out she was the queen of the "ballonné," a stunning aerial technique that brought such graceful flights and elegant leaps to her dancing. Honestly, just the thought of it made me want to try it myself!
For this Victorian ballet adventure, I chose a pink silk tutu that just skimmed the floor with graceful tiers of fabric, perfect for mimicking Grisi's graceful jumps! And what would a pink tutu be without a matching pink corset and matching bolero! And of course, a sprinkle of rhinestones to catch the light.
Luckily for me, in this period, tutus were making a real splash in fashion! They were everywhere, from theatre and dance, to the ballroom! It truly was a glamorous time to be a ballerina (and let's be honest, it always will be!). And while you might not be seeing pink tutus on the street, just imagine if the world truly embraced this lovely look! My mission to bring pink tutus back to every corner of the world!
Speaking of world-famous, the entire city of London seemed to be buzzing about Grisi! Everyone was talking about her dancing and grace. And she had captured the world! Just like her other famous performances like Giselle, this woman truly was the embodiment of the era's love for all things romantic! And it seems I’m not alone! From the gossip columns to the whispers in the tea rooms, Grisi was the topic of conversation everywhere I went. It’s no wonder her fame was truly global!
After an exhilarating ballet experience, I popped into a chic hat shop. Honestly, my darling, these were more like hats worthy of a crown than your average bonnet! And let’s not forget the bustle skirts and the glorious gloves! You couldn’t be seen in the Victorian world without some exquisite gloves!
Before my trip to London, I had done a little research. In the days before Instagram or balletgrams, ballet enthusiasts (and honestly, I don’t know how they managed!) used pamphlets and illustrated journals to get a glimpse of ballet performance and costumes. That said, some lucky individuals could have attended the Salle de la Danse - an opera house known to host dancing classes, showcasing the very best in ballet! And even if they couldn’t make it to a ballet class or performance, I'm sure everyone could appreciate a gorgeous illustrated journal. It was a more quaint world, I imagine!
To capture all the beauty I found today, I have tucked a little souvenir into my backpack for my readers - a delightful printed dance program from that evening’s performance of La Fille du Régiment! I cannot wait to get back home and examine all the elegant flourishes!
Remember, my loves, a pink tutu isn't just a garment - it's an attitude! A declaration to the world that you embrace beauty, grace, and the joy of dance! So go out there, my darlings, and let your inner ballerina shine, even if it’s just at the ballet studio! Until next month!
XOXO
Emma, Your Pink Tutu Time Traveller
PS: Want to time travel with me? Don’t forget to share your favourite pink tutu looks in the comments! And if you want to help my mission, join me in a pink tutu flash mob! Together, we can change the world one tutu at a time!
(Don’t forget to join me on Balletgram @PinkTutuEmma!)
