Hello, darlings! It’s Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina, back with another fabulous post from www.pink-tutu.com. This month, we’re whisking ourselves back to January 1st, 1902!
As I say every month, the only thing more exciting than the swirling silks and sparkling sequins of a ballet performance is the joy of discovering a little bit more about our beloved art form’s rich history! This month, I'm channeling my inner historian and sharing a little peek at the world of ballet as it was 121 years ago.
The first of January dawned in Derbyshire, England. The snow shimmered like a scattering of sugar plums outside my bedroom window, and I knew exactly where I wanted to be - soaring through time, perched atop Magic Meg! My precious pink sparkling Shire horse, with her golden hooves and flowing white mane, pawed the ground impatiently, ready to whisk us back through time. This time, though, we're not just waltzing into history - we're waltzing into a brand new century!
This was no ordinary day - it was a new year! In the ballet world, new beginnings are always cause for celebration. Imagine my delight, my dears, when I discovered that the Royal Ballet had opened its doors to a grand audience that very same day at Covent Garden. Oh, to be whisked back in time to catch a glimpse of those iconic performances! I'd be taking meticulous notes in my leather rucksack and wouldn't have missed a step of the fabulous choreography for the world.
You know I can never resist a good frock! The fashion in 1902, my darlings, was quite the spectacle! Full skirts, delicate lace, and bonnets adorned with exquisite feathers - how very charming! But the dancers were an entirely different kettle of fish! It’s quite a surprise how the ladies of the ballet didn’t fully embrace the restrictive Victorian fashion trends. They remained elegant and graceful in form-fitting bodices and floaty tutus. That's our girls, defying expectations even back then, while they moved across the stage! Perhaps this is why, in a way, dancers have been rebels from the get-go. Their artistry demanded flexibility and movement.
That said, there were also some rather delightful accessories to be seen! The ballerinas wore long, elegant gloves that peeked out from under the ruffles of their gowns. My favourite find though? An adorable pair of lace ballet shoes tucked away in a beautiful vintage shop I found tucked in the back alleys. Imagine my surprise, dear readers! It’s not so common to see lace on ballerina shoes these days, but they truly were stunning! Now they’ll be taking pride of place amongst my treasures in my ballet rucksack! Just think of the stories they’ve witnessed. The passion! The precision!
Speaking of the story, can you imagine dancing in such a grand space as Covent Garden, the entire auditorium glittering with anticipation? Oh, the magic! The history! I felt a true kinship with the dancers of that era as I immersed myself in the atmosphere. A beautiful symphony, a magical stage, and of course, a story brought to life with grace and emotion - isn’t that what makes our beloved art form so extraordinary?
While my trip to 1902 Covent Garden didn't involve actually getting to wear my pink tutu – which would be scandalous for such an elegant event back then – I did add some lace embellishments to it for a more "retro" flair! After all, we can't simply recreate the past, but we can take inspiration from it! I feel it’s my duty, dear readers, to ensure that every tutu that graces this Earth is infused with history, infused with pink and infused with a dash of whimsical fun!
What else happened on the 1st of January 1902? Well, my dears, as I delved deeper into history, I discovered that the United States had declared a new "Open Door" policy! Talk about a new beginning! Just as it ushered in new ways of thinking about trade with Asia, the ballet world was changing and evolving at a breathtaking pace. This new "open door" policy encouraged other countries to get involved, sparking exciting new collaborations and fuelling the ever-growing flame of creativity in our beautiful art form.
Remember, dear readers, just as the "Open Door" policy embraced new ideas, we should too! Embrace the artistry, the history, and the vibrant evolution of the ballet world! Embrace a little bit of magic and whimsy and wear your pink tutus with confidence! Be the bright pink highlight of your own day! I am sure that even those who might never wear a pink tutu themselves will at least smile at the thought of such a wonderfully charming vision!
And that, my dears, is a wrap for January! See you again next month as we venture even deeper into ballet history, one sparkly pink tutu at a time! And always remember – ballet is not just an art form, it’s a celebration of beauty, resilience, and joy. Spread the joy!
Until next time! Love, Emma xoxo
P.S. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my time travels! I've also uploaded my new "1902 Retro Lace" pink tutu design. A must for the wardrobe of any self-respecting history loving ballerina! Available now in all sizes!
