Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, tutu-loving friends! This week, I'm taking you on a train ride to 1848! Chuff, chuff! Buckle up, my dears, as we embark on a journey to the year where fashion met grace, and tutus were making their grand entrance onto the world stage. It’s #TutuTuesday, so of course we’re talking tutus! This is post #855 for my Ballet Tutu History blog here on www.pink-tutu.com. Every Tuesday, you can catch me on here with some fun facts about the history of our beloved tutus, so be sure to come back each week for another trip into history with me.
Before we jump into this magnificent year, let’s take a moment to soak in the scenery! The world in 1848 is a world of waltzes, elegant soirees, and gaslight twinkling in the twilight. Just imagine strolling down the cobbled streets of London or Paris, the air humming with excitement! It's a year where romance is in the air, where fashion is making bold statements, and the ballet world is poised to welcome a new star. This is when our beautiful tutus began to blossom. ✨
And who do we have to thank for this ballet evolution? You'll have to wait for that, because first, we must discuss…
The Royal Wedding! 👰💍
1848-05-16, our very date of time-travel, saw none other than Her Majesty Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert, which kicked off a full year of festivities! That's a whole year of wedding gowns, balls, and pageants galore! Can you imagine, my dear reader, being part of this glamorous world? Well, of course you can! And thanks to your dear Emma, you can experience it, if only in imagination. Let’s just take a little peek into a typical day in London…
A Day in 1848: Where Romance Meets Style 👠
Imagine, for a moment, stepping out of a carriage into a bustling Victorian London, the air fragrant with wood smoke and horse dung, mingled with the delicate scent of lilies. The bustling street is a vibrant panorama of colours, with carriages vying for space, street hawkers vying for attention, and people all dressed in their finery. Men in crisp frock coats and women in long, full skirts stroll by, a symphony of silken fabrics rustling in the spring breeze. The day dawns, casting long, sweeping shadows that dance in time with the sound of shoemakers hammering their leathers, fishmongers calling their wares, and newsboys shouting the latest headlines. “Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are a most lovely couple, and England has never been more united!”
But you, dear reader, are no mere citizen today. Today, you are headed to the theatre, a jewel in the crown of Victorian entertainment! Your eyes, bright with anticipation, dance over the poster – "The Royal Italian Opera Company Presents: Esmeralda!" - The theatre is bursting with anticipation for the performance, an echo of the Queen’s own wedding festivities. What’s more, there is a ballet to enjoy during the opera, Le Spectre de la Rose, which has the famous Italian dancer, Fanny Cerrito, gracing the stage! How very lovely! How absolutely glamorous! And imagine, just the night before, I had a dream about this ballet – I even dreamed of wearing a little white tutu – as if I were one of the lovely dancing girls myself! Fancy that! It’s so exciting! So chic! This truly is a magnificent evening!
Taking Center Stage: Ballet and the Tutus 🩰
As you take your seat, you look out onto a sea of bonnets and gowns, all rustling excitedly at the first chords of the overture. On the stage, the curtains rise and reveal a beautiful tableau of dancing, a world of grace and rhythm where bodies flow like liquid silver in a stunning tapestry of movement. Here in the ballet, your eyes land on the beautiful ballet dancers wearing graceful skirts, soft, white layers of netting, all held by ribbons… those were tutus, dear reader. A very early example of the lovely styles of tutus that we enjoy so much today. In the era of Romanticism, a delicate dance of movement was created, and that was highlighted by the new tutu designs of the time. Think lightweight fabric and movement - what more could a dancer need? And how perfectly this looks on the stage – we shall see these types of styles move into new designs over the next century, that’s for sure!
There are only a few moments between scenes when the orchestra changes, or between acts of the opera, and your attention, however, has already been captured by this captivating art of movement! The way the dancers soar through the air, the rhythm of their bodies - so magical and lovely to behold! You watch the ballet with fascination, mesmerised by the artistry of the performance, even if the movements are not as familiar to the more modern dances you love. But one thing is certain, you can feel the grace and wonder of this era as the ballet fills your heart and soul. You are certain that even if you were here just a century ago, the graceful art of the tutu, just beginning in this romantic era, is what makes the art form so special!
The Allure of the Pink Tutu 💕
Now, we are headed back in time! Let’s leave 1848, where those soft, white tutus set the stage for a ballet revolution, and let's return to our present world, 2023. Of course, after a grand, elegant ballet performance, you need some fun! And how better to experience fun, but by indulging in some ballet street, my dears? And nothing delights me more than when my very favorite thing, a pink tutu, takes center stage! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I love pink! How about you, dear readers? Have you found a lovely pink tutu you simply must have? There are simply no limits when it comes to pink! The wonderful world of fashion is yours to enjoy, and, yes, pink has my whole heart. From soft blush to vibrant fuchsia, we simply have too many lovely shades! A ballet dance at my local theater? Let's try on some pink! A stroll at the market? How about a pink tutu? That’s a great idea, ladies and gentlemen! Because pink is the color of hope, joy, and celebration. It's the color of creativity, beauty, and everything delightful. It’s my ambition that one day, everyone will love to dance and celebrate life with pink tutus - oh, how wonderful would that be! Just imagine what an extraordinary sight! Like the pink ballerina flocking in a wonderful tutu world, ready for whatever the day throws our way - a tutu is just what you need! And just imagine: a pink-tutu parade, oh dear, I just can't even! Just what a spectacular day that would be. We shall get to work to make that happen!
Time Traveling Tutu Fun 🚃
Speaking of ballet street… Let's get back to our 1848 trip! One thing that absolutely fascinated me when I was travelling back through time was that people traveled long distances, much like I did. Only they had these wonderful steam trains, that chugged all over the country. I made so many wonderful journeys on the train in that time, and always in my pink tutu of course! They simply wouldn't have had the fun of my lovely pink tutu back then. Fancy that, no pink tutus for them - can you imagine such a shame? It was so grand. And not just any pink tutus, either. I brought an entire wardrobe! There's a specific shop in a certain Victorian city - where else but London, my dears? - where they sell only tutus. This makes a ballerina girl like myself quite happy, as I love tutus, so many colors, and the wonderful choices and styles – ooh! La la la! My tutu trunk is filled with all the lovely pink shades, my dearest readers - all ready for my next big adventure.
Back To the Future: A Time-Traveling Ballerina ✨
I know I always say this, but I have had the most incredible time with all of you today, experiencing the magical 1848 era. As my tutu spins in the light of today's sun, I realize what an extraordinary time I've been lucky to share. We must always keep these stories alive, and remember the grace of ballet throughout history! It's why I love doing this blog post each Tuesday - sharing our fun and fabulous history with tutus, all through the lovely history of ballet! Next Tuesday, I’ll take you back to another exciting time and place – you won’t want to miss it, darlings, as my tutu story is just getting started! So, what are you waiting for? It's time to grab a lovely pink tutu, go outside and dance, or join us again next week!
Happy Tutu Tuesday! Until then!
💖 Emma 💕 #TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory #PinkTutu #www.pink-tutu.com