Hello darlings, it's your favourite pink tutu wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another whirlwind journey through ballet history! Today, I'm whisking you all away to December 12th, 1888. Buckle up, because we're headed for a Victorian ballet ball, and you're not going to want to miss this!
Now, as you all know, my dear readers, I adore tutus. They're the ultimate symbol of grace and femininity, and a vibrant pink one is the ultimate statement, So you can imagine my excitement when I realised this date coincided with the most magnificent Victorian ballet ball ever recorded.
My journey started in Derbyshire, as always, but this time, I saddled up Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun white silk. It's quite the sight, wouldn't you say? You should see her trot! A sight to behold, all swirling pink tulle and gleaming hooves, Her soft whinnies carried us through the time portal and poof! We were back in the bustling streets of Victorian London, My rucksack, adorned with delicate ballet shoes and vintage lace, was ready to be filled with stories and treasures of this extraordinary time period.
The ball was held in the grandest ballroom you can imagine. Crystal chandeliers glittered like a thousand stars, and the air crackled with anticipation. Men in dapper suits with velvet collars chatted to women adorned in flowing silk gowns, their laughter and the tinkling of glasses mingling in the air.
But it was the ballerinas who truly stole the show. Picture this: shimmering satin, intricate lace, delicate embroidery, all in soft pastel colours and the pièce de résistance, their breathtakingly beautiful tutus, They weren’t just a single layer of tulle, oh no, they were tiers upon tiers of exquisitely crafted fabric, flowing like soft clouds as they twirled and danced. My heart just about skipped a beat, it was magnificent! And then I saw them – the real treasures. The most beautiful vintage tutus, carefully preserved for this very occasion, they were a feast for the eyes! They were all the colours you could possibly dream of, with hand-painted motifs of birds and flowers. I swear, they could’ve rivalled the finest ballet costume in all of history!
I couldn’t resist, I had to get my own little vintage piece. My pocketbook almost burst with glee, but I secured a gorgeous pink-trimmed silk tutu with a hand-painted pearl detail - just my style. I was determined to get a photograph of myself wearing it, for posterity. Let's just say it caused a sensation, even amidst the other elegant ballerinas. It truly added a touch of magic and fun to the otherwise grand atmosphere!
After the grand waltzes and polkas, the ballerinas danced their hearts out! Oh, the intricate footwork and the graceful leaps, they were simply mesmerising! There were solo dances and intricate group pieces. Each step seemed to tell a story, from whimsical romance to heartfelt sorrow. I must say, I was absolutely swept away by the passion and precision of the Victorian ballerinas, it made my own dance practice seem like a child’s play.
And the best part? The music was exquisite, an orchestra filled the air with such delicate tunes, making every pirouette feel as though we were soaring through the heavens.
I spent the evening dancing, swirling, laughing, and learning everything I could about the ballet world in 1888.
This time travel, it truly opened my eyes. It showed me that ballet has always been a joyous, dynamic, and deeply artistic form of expression, full of colour and spirit. The women wearing the gorgeous gowns and tutus were strong, independent, trailblazing pioneers in their own right. They certainly made me think differently about the world and about my place in it, as a fellow ballerina! This date in ballet history wasn't just a ball - it was a true celebration of dance and beauty.
Of course, it was just not all dancing and fancy tutus. I managed to find some time to do a little shopping in Victorian London too! I have the cutest bonnet and some stunning, hand-stitched ballet slippers, all hand-painted with pearl and flower motifs - a little memento from my time here! I'll show them to you all later in a separate blog post.
I left Victorian London with my heart overflowing with memories and my backpack overflowing with stories and treasure. A true testament to the enduring magic and elegance of ballet, throughout the ages.
Remember my dears, if you're passionate about ballet, even just a little bit, put on your pink tutus and twirl! You never know what magical journeys you may encounter!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to join our ballet time travel club and keep up to date with my exciting adventures. Until next time, keep dancing, darlings!
Love,
Emma
