Hello my dearest ballet bunnies!
It's Emma here, your trusty time-traveling ballerina, and this month we're pirouetting back to February 2nd, 1846. It's been an absolute whirlwind of a journey, full of cobblestone streets, grand theatres, and of course, some seriously stylish ballet! Buckle up your dancing shoes, lovelies, because this trip is a right corker.
First off, let's talk about my chariot of choice - Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse, whose golden hooves and white mane shimmered even in the dim Victorian gaslight. I simply cannot leave the stable without my trusty rucksack – filled to the brim with ballet delights from each time period, from sketches to programmes and even the odd tutu ribbon.
As we galloped towards the heart of London, the air was crisp and the cobbled streets alive with the clink of horse-drawn carriages and the bustle of Victorian life. It was simply magical! Now, it wasn't all about grand balls and fancy attire (though there was certainly a lot of that!) – we needed to get a handle on the ballet scene.
What was happening on stage in February 1846?
Oh darling, where do I even start?! This was a time when ballet was truly at its zenith!
The Royal Opera House was bursting with Parisian elegance! Imagine shimmering satin tutus and swirling pas de deux – we're talking about the height of Romanticism in ballet.
Fanny Elssler, an absolute legend of ballet, was electrifying audiences with her daring and vibrant performance style. Imagine a firecracker with a tulle skirt – that was Fanny!
The 'Romantic Era' ballet was in full swing! Think fluttering fairy wings, flowing silks, and graceful movements, oh my!
But here's the real fun – fashion, my lovelies! In 1846, it wasn't just about watching ballet, it was about making an entrance. And no self-respecting ballerina, even those just watching the show, would leave home without their very own ensemble! We’re talking bustles and frills, layers and layers of luxurious fabric! It was a whole new world of elegant frocks and stylish silhouettes. Even though the dancing is absolutely divine, let’s be honest – the fashion is a huge draw card!
Shopping spree in Victorian London:
Let’s talk fashion! It was an absolute joy! We made a beeline for the most beautiful Parisian-style dress shop in London, stuffed to the brim with ruched sleeves and elaborate tulle petticoats. Imagine the layers of petticoats to create the quintessential Romantic Ballet Silhouette - a must-have, I say! A real ballerina can't help but be smitten with beautiful fabric and frills, especially in a time period that saw such decadent, dreamy creations! I just had to snag a gorgeous pale pink brocade frock, and my oh my – that thing is going straight into my personal collection!
And then, we just had to pay a visit to a local millinery, where I spied the most charming silk bonnet, adorned with dainty pastel blooms and ribbons that reminded me of a ballerina’s wispy ballet slippers.
Oh, my lovely ballet bunnies – my trusty pink tutu would feel so out of place amidst such a plethora of frocks and lace – but never fear, we are always striving to make tutus more accessible in all time periods! And that, my dears, is how we will slowly, slowly make a pink tutu a sartorial essential! I believe that all of us, whatever time period we reside in, should embrace a little bit of that pink-tutu magic.
The evening at the opera was exquisite – my heart was pounding like a bass drum in a grand waltz, so filled was it with the beautiful movement of the dancers. As we were taking a curtain call at the Theatre, we could see little girls and boys gathered around, mesmerised by the ballet performance – some even wearing their own tutus (a delightful touch of pink!). My heart truly swelled with the hope of bringing that pink-tutu joy to children all over the world!
Of course, I couldn't leave 1846 without paying homage to the dancers of the time, and my rucksack is now brimming with precious souvenirs – a worn theatre programme, a small ballet shoe made of exquisite silk and an intriguing sketch of the enchanting Fanny Elssler in a swirling dance. It was pure magic, darlings!
Until next month, stay tutu-tiful and dance your heart out!
Don't forget to visit us on our website www.pink-tutu.com where we have more fashion tips, a whole host of dance videos, and even a gallery of historical ballet photos. And if you ever want to chat tutus and time travel, feel free to pop a comment below!
Your Tutu-fied Time Traveler, Emma
