1837, December 5th: A Royal Wedding, and a New Era for Fashion!
Greetings from your favourite tutu-wearing, time-travelling, fashion-loving ballerina, Emma! I'm here to whisk you back in time, to the elegant era of 1837, a year marked by a royal wedding and a change in fashion that even today leaves me yearning for a little tulle!
Now, I know what you're thinking - tutus? Back then? Oh, darling, tutus as we know them hadn't made their grand entrance quite yet. It wasn't until the 1840s that Marie Taglioni, the "Fairy of the Dance," graced the stage in her revolutionary billowing, feather-light tulle tutu that set the world alight with its beauty and revolutionised ballet!
But this week, my darlings, I'm taking us back even further, to a time where a different sort of fashion flourish was taking place: The Coronation of Queen Victoria. This date is the very beginning of her reign, and with it came an explosion of elegance that even the most fashionable amongst us can only dream of today.
Picture this, my dear readers: Imagine sweeping ball gowns with yards and yards of intricate lace, layers of silken skirts, and waists that would make even the most seasoned corset-wearer wince. These were the clothes of the Victorian era - a time of frills, flounces, and all things delightfully feminine. And guess what? They even had some truly fabulous hats! (Remember those incredible feathers we talked about last week?!)
On this day, 1837, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in a grand ceremony at Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. She looked absolutely stunning in a beautiful white satin gown adorned with exquisite lace, which was the very first royal bride to choose white, the colour of purity and innocence. You see, before Queen Victoria, royal brides would wear various colours depending on the custom and status. This single choice helped make white a standard, symbolic colour for bridal gowns for years to come!
Think about the impact this fashion statement made! Queen Victoria was a style icon and her choice was copied throughout the nation and the rest of Europe. It was the dawn of a new era for fashion, and even I, with my love for everything pink, couldn't help but be awed by the opulence and grace of this time period!
But remember, while they weren't quite ready for a true tutus, the ladies back then loved their flounces and petticoats. And what did I tell you about frills, my dear readers? This is where they reigned supreme. They adorned dresses, scarves, sleeves, and even shoes! Oh, how I long to travel back to those times just for a chance to indulge in that truly "en-vogue" frill frenzy!
As I'm here in this fabulous historical era, let me tell you, darling, a quick jaunt on the train to London was a must-do. And I just know if I were to waltz into a fashionable shop like Mrs. Howell's in New Bond Street, I could spend an afternoon in utter bliss, imagining myself as a debutante, with a dazzling array of ball gowns surrounding me, their tulle-like fabrics teasing at my senses, and maybe I could even convince the shopkeeper to make me a bespoke pink and black tulle dress! Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful?
The year 1837: It marked a truly remarkable shift in fashion, moving away from the somewhat flamboyant and extravagant styles of the Georgian era into a period of delicate elegance, where a love for fine details, exquisite embroidery, and all things feminine reigned supreme!
For me, a ballerina and a chronic romantic, I adore these historical glimpses into the world of fashion. And who knows, maybe this week I'll just pop over to The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and see if the ballerinas are rocking the billowing tulle and satin. If I see any beautiful fabrics there, maybe I could pick up some scraps for a new pink tutu. Maybe I'll even make a custom-designed outfit for a future time travel escapade. It would have to be pink of course!
Until next time, keep your heads held high and always be prepared for the next trend. Maybe you’ll find a gorgeous, new pink tutu that sparks inspiration for your very own fabulous fashion moment! Remember to wear your tutu with confidence, and let's bring the ballet magic into the world!
With a final twirl,
Emma
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