Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where history and ballet twirl together in a glorious pirouette of fashion, fun, and fantastical adventures!
This month, my trusty steed Magic Meg, my pink sparkling Shire with those dreamy golden hooves and a mane as white as fresh snow, galloped us back to June 6th, 1863! Oh, what a whirl of delights this journey offered.
Post number 2430 - A Touch of the Victorian Era
Just as we arrived in Derbyshire, I popped on my very favourite pink tutu, the one with the layered tulle and dainty lace edging, and slipped on a little pearl-studded bodice. It’s so much fun feeling the Victorian air brush against my silk! I find it makes the whole experience feel so much more immersive.
For those of you who may not know, this was the year the world was getting a glimpse of Marie Taglioni's grand niece, the dazzlingly talented Pauline Taglioni! You'd have thought Paris was going to burst with excitement at the chance to see a true legend, descended from the legendary La Sylphide herself. It's always a joy to find a direct connection to my favourite ballerinas of yore, even if it's just a quick chat with an enthusiastic ballet-goer. They truly are an inspiration!
A Peek into Parisian Dance Halls
My leather rucksack is already full of precious items and fascinating snippets of 1863 ballet history. A tattered playbill from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is going to go straight into my ballet memorabilia collection. And, of course, I got myself a delicate, hand-painted fan with a scene from Swan Lake (that one's getting framed!), just a glimpse into what ballet was like in those days. I think it's a charmingly different world to the bustling modern stages we see today, and of course, absolutely worth cherishing!
You've got to know, though, June was an absolute treat for Parisian dancers! I bumped into a little group of dancers by the Seine River, on their way to the Palais Garnier. My gosh, those opulent dance halls just leave you speechless! With all those swirling velvet curtains, elaborate gilded decorations, and glittering chandeliers... swoon it really does feel like you've stepped into a ballet scene. You know how much I love my Parisian ballet!
Tutus of Times Past
Oh my, can we talk tutus? This period was all about full-length tutus, a big contrast to today’s contemporary dance and its short and sassy style. But in 1863, tutus were HUGE and they reached down almost to the floor! The dancers in those times often went without leotards and just wore a chemise underneath. They truly did have a very different style of dance, but of course, it's all beautiful in its own right. There's so much I've learned about their techniques, and it's been a privilege to catch a glimpse of their rehearsals, too.
Just remember, darlings, that fashion comes and goes. But pink tutus always come back into style, a timeless masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time.
A Time to Reflect, A Time to Embrace
Travelling back to this date allowed me to see how our passion for dance and expression remains constant, even as the styles change, grow, and evolve. Isn’t that wonderful? Even though the stage and its costumes might look quite different from our contemporary viewpoint, the emotions and stories the dancers conveyed remain just as strong and beautiful!
You know what, darlings? I've added some pictures of Victorian era dance in the slideshow! Be sure to check it out to see the full tutu glamour and to watch those incredible leg extensions - seriously impressive! We’ll all be twirling through our own time travels soon, you wait and see!
And in the meantime, please, darlings, continue to share your passion and spread the love of ballet - be a pink tutu warrior for us all! It would be a dream come true for me to see everyone wearing a pink tutu one day. Perhaps it will be the new pink-tutu movement?
And that, darlings, is all for this month. Don't forget to keep visiting Pink-Tutu.com to hear all about my next magical time-traveling escapade! Remember, it's not just about the dancing - it's about the journey itself.
Till next time, darlings, stay glamorous, stay fabulous and above all, keep twirling!
Love, Emma xx
