#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1844-08-06

Hello, lovelies! Emma here, back for another #TutuTuesday. This week, we're taking a trip on the trusty time-travelling train to the captivating year 1844! Remember that lovely pink tutu you spotted in the vintage shop last week? Let's go on a little adventure together and discover where it came from, shall we?

Now, before we head into the whirring, shimmering, past, don't forget to visit my website at www.pink-tutu.com! We're almost ready to reach our 1000 followers – wouldn't it be smashing to get there before the week is out? Your pink-loving support is my inspiration!

Speaking of inspiration, let's chat about The Ballet Russes. Remember them? They weren't around just yet! But, we're going to chat about how their ideas are actually bubbling just below the surface in 1844! And, we're going to peek into the world of the ballet, in London, of course, where we'll spot the roots of that adorable pink tutu we talked about last week.

So, ladies and gentlemen, we're stepping onto the Victorian platform in London, England, the land of fashion and the birthplace of a few iconic styles we know and love, like... well... you know. The corset and... the tutu. It’s a good one. And guess what? That sweet little pink one? It was around! We’re so fortunate that history isn't a stranger to pink, especially when it comes to tutus, so we can explore that beautiful time a little further.

And as a quick note for you, this is actually post number 658 for me, because my time-travel does get busy! I am going through this ballet tutu history day by day as part of my time travel project - which keeps my blog hopping and keeps me traveling from all those great places I go to every time I hop on the train. Who knows what I'll be wearing tomorrow! (I always think in tutus). I am never without my tutu - you all should have one too, just saying! And if you think about all the amazing styles of tutu there have been, don't you think the colour pink makes you just happy? I sure think it does. Pink tutus bring all of the good, happy things of this life to mind. And as always, you can spot the #TutuTuesday trend all over the place - on the internet that is! And with more than 40 million people in Britain in 1844, you know we are only going to see the tutu expand in this decade - more to come on next Tuesday!

I'll pop a few links on my blog. Did you see The Nutcracker last Christmas? They use the tutus from 1844 and a little bit after. It's always great seeing those classics. And I was there, don't you just wish I could go with you all to see these shows. And see them in person. Maybe someday you can get your own time travelling machine to do the same - that would be brilliant, eh?

And oh, I know we haven't mentioned it but you can find all these tutus in the ballet stores in London. But London, even back then, was a hub of everything - and ballet wasn't an exception - not even a little bit! So in fact the shops were doing a good business for sure!

Okay, so think about 1844. It's almost time for the middle of the Victorian era to pop onto the scene, right? But think about the stage! The dance stage! If I have a Victorian day-dream, its for a day in the theatre - and the ballet! And I can bet my very fashionable hat, the theatre always put up quite the show. That would make you blush. Pink. blush! We can picture ourselves sitting on the velvet, watching dancers move and sway, feeling like we are in our own fairy-tale - a fairy-tale of romance! And the men, well... those dashing men of the theatre. It really was quite a spark! And when it came to their theatre costumes, the fashion just had that je ne sais quoi!

Just imagine being surrounded by ladies all dressed to the nines in their silks, velvets, feathers, ribbons and bows, as we sit on our padded seats at London's Royal Opera House! Talk about fashion trends for tutus! A little note from my historical journal; in those days, the ballet dancers had lots of movement in their tutus; a sort of 'tutu effect'. But if you want to know what they wore, what we'd call the 'ballerina look', just look to the dancers, themselves. They started the whole look. And these were just classic styles for sure. Just imagine being a Victorian woman! So elegant...!

Do you think your tutu looks old? Try and picture this, they don't just change from day to day or season to season - you can go to those dusty old costume shops, right down the street from London's big Theatre stores, and find costumes from a long time ago! It can make your head spin just trying to wrap your head around those years of tutus, if you know what I mean. It’s just the perfect combination of fun and elegance and even a little girly-girl!

I was fortunate to even find a pink tutu from 1840, just last year when I visited 1841... Yes! That is where the real vintage magic starts! Imagine my thrill! Just a bit of fluff from a forgotten ballet star in her heyday! I almost gasped, I can tell you - almost a full-blown "pinch me" moment right there! It's all such fun. I mean, you know tutus are the perfect bit of fashion and the dance just makes the whole look that much better. You get into this state of euphoria in the theatre - the dance and the dress - the tutus. You could just disappear for an entire *weekend with this - a dance day - just the ballet itself - a real treat!* It's so much fun! You'd think a tutu like that would look outdated - oh, dear you wouldn't even know what to make of the pink tutu renaissance. It is something so incredible and it’s only going to grow bigger, you wait and see.

But do remember how exciting that time-machine trip can be... 1844, eh? Do you remember your 1844 - haha - or you may just have a different one. Oh, and that tutu from 1841, yes! And there you go... you can't think of those days, right? And the same goes for those dancing ladies in the time of old. We have them - they had them and you want one, too! Pink? Maybe a few more tutus on your side? Why not?

What a fantastic time to be alive. Now back to London, 1844 - August the 6th.

Today we had a very famous English violinist, Henry Vieuxtemps performing in London. I'm actually going to watch his performance next year and check out those new stringed instruments. And oh! Do check those out, too - those *strings* just have to be so fabulous* for such amazing musicians, they are real treasures in our history and culture. The style of these violinists was really cutting edge and something everyone was looking out for back in the day... they really made a big deal of music - all that movement and those wonderful instruments*!

Today, I'm celebrating 1844 by dancing a little waltz. If you've been to see any performances this past season - or any classics* - do make sure you do a little *Waltz for me. *And let's say a word for those tutus, right? There's *nothing that screams romantic beauty quite like the ballet.*

See you next week lovelies - when we'll have another new exciting day! Until next Tuesday, may your lives be filled with tutus and grace!

Emma

PS. Follow my website, www.pink-tutu.com. Tell your friends. They need a pink tutu too. And if you find a pink tutu for a great price on eBay or somewhere similar, snap it up. Just know I would be looking to snap it up too! We love the pink! It's just such a special, lovely colour. And those tutus? I hope you are enjoying your Tutu Tuesdays, as much as I am, I hope you get to dance a little every day!