Hello darlings! Welcome back to another delightful Tuesday and another fantastic installment of #TutuTuesday! I’m your resident pink-tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, ready to take you on another whimsical journey through the history of ballet’s most iconic garment: the tutu. As you all know, here at www.pink-tutu.com we celebrate the history and the future of tutus, and, of course, we just LOVE pink. It’s the perfect hue to match the loveliness of those floaty, fluffy, whimsical tutus!
Today, we’re skipping back in time to January 24th, 1837, a date that's forever linked to one of the most celebrated monarchs in British history: Queen Victoria. A bit of royal excitement, just how we like it at www.pink-tutu.com. Today is Victoria’s accession to the throne, the start of a grand reign that saw Britain become the world’s leading power. We don't want to go too deeply into historical politics but what does this all mean for the history of the tutu? Well, this marks a crucial moment in the development of our beloved tutus!
Victoria’s reign ushered in an era of unparalleled social change, impacting fashion in exciting ways. For you fashion lovers out there (as you all should be!), the late 1830s saw fashion evolve towards a much more romantically graceful silhouette. Think: cinched waists, full skirts, and a growing emphasis on flowy fabrics.
Now, what about ballet tutus? During Victoria’s reign, we begin to see a key transformation. Those long, billowing romantic skirts from theatre stages started taking on a more defined and structured form, embracing those new fashion trends. They were beginning to become lighter, allowing the ballerinas' movements to be seen more clearly. Can you imagine that! Ballerinas in tutus, moving with such grace and beauty. How delightful!
Imagine being able to see those stunning ballet dancers even more clearly thanks to those wonderful new, shorter, structured, flowy tutus. You’ve got to give credit to Queen Victoria, a monarch who had an impact far beyond her royal duties, she was definitely in tune with the world of fashion! I think I have to add Queen Victoria to my ‘Tutus & Fashion Idolizes’ list – what a great lady, all in all.
But what about London on this day, January 24th 1837? Well, the capital's energy would be focused around the coronation of the new Queen Victoria! As we know from all the period films we watch, it's an event which usually fills the city with crowds dressed to the nines in fashionable garb – and, as we already established, tutus were growing in popularity, with new exciting designs emerging! I picture London being full of ladies in stunning new outfits – perhaps even a tutu or two being worn by a confident and chic lady walking to Westminster Abbey. Can you imagine? Just imagine it for a second… What would you have worn to this historic event? I’m quite partial to a delicate pink tutu myself – wouldn’t that be absolutely marvelous in such a magnificent crowd? *Perhaps one day I can be a part of such an historical event.
Now let’s take a short break and visit the beautiful Royal Opera House. I have my tickets for today’s show – I'm sure it will be ravishingly fabulous - and I’ll be keeping a watchful eye for any early forms of the tutu, keeping the lookouts out for anything resembling my favorite garment. I bet there’ll be a fab outfit or two and perhaps I might even spot a pink one - just imagine! Can you feel the magic?*
As soon as I'm back from my magical ballet performance at the Royal Opera House (let me know in the comments if you go, I would love to hear your feedback on it – and I am also open to suggestions on future shows!), I'll get straight to it, and tell you about this wonderful little treat: a special piece that takes us further back into the early history of ballet and its influence on tutus. Imagine: what is ballet without a tutu? That's a question for another day.
For today, let me introduce you to a book – I’m obsessed with this one. It’s a captivating exploration of the development of ballet and its evolving relationship with fashion and tutus. The book goes right back to its roots and talks about all the ways fashion inspired ballet (it was all about taking from each other back then - such amazing ideas to look at!). It takes you on a fantastic, informative, and utterly engaging journey, filled with incredible insights into ballet’s history. For all of us #tutulovers, this book will become your treasured companion - I am already adding it to my growing, luxurious, and fashionable bookshelves at my time travel base camp. Just wait until you see this - I will post about it on Friday!
Oh, my dears, I am absolutely rushing! I have so much to do! What with my #TutuTuesday blogging and my dance class tomorrow. It’s going to be such a wonderful week. I must dash, darlings, but before I do, I just want to ask you to join in on our #TutuTuesday fun!
Here's how you can contribute your Pink Tutu Power to the magic of the #TutuTuesday blog:
Share your favorite tutu stories in the comments section below! What tutu moments made you gasp, squeal, and feel the pure joy of dance?
Tag us in your pictures on social media using #TutuTuesday and #pink-tutu! We’d love to see your ballet-inspired fashion choices and hear your own tales of ballet bliss!
Share the Tutu love: Tell your friends about #TutuTuesday!
Keep spreading the Tutu Love, everyone!
I am so excited for next Tuesday! See you then darlings, remember, don’t be shy - tell everyone to #wearapinktutu
Lots of love,
Emma
