Bonjour, mes chéries! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on a journey back in time to explore the delightful world of ballet tutus! Today, on this lovely Tuesday, we're twirling back to January 30th, 1849!
Ooh la la, can you imagine? The year 1849! Fashion was absolutely ravishing - corsets, bustles, bonnets and feathers galore. But as for our beloved tutus...well, let's just say they were in their infancy, just like those darling baby ballerina chicks taking their first steps.
(Imagine Emma with a whimsical twinkle in her eye and a pink feathered boa draped over her shoulders. She adjusts the lace on her pink tulle tutu before excitedly continuing.)
You see, dear readers, while we know that ballet's history goes back much, much further than 1849, the classic, fluffy tutus we adore were still taking their first curtsies on the world stage. The late 1840s were an exciting time for dance.
You see, in 1841, Marie Taglioni, the undisputed queen of the Romantic Era, wowed audiences in her role as "La Sylphide." And do you know what she wore? You guessed it! A tutu that stopped traffic. Gone were the floor-length skirts of old, replaced by a fluffy, lightweight confection of tulle and white that gave her the freedom to float and fly, a true symbol of the Romantic spirit.
The tututastic craze began! You see, this was the very time ballet took centre stage in Europe. It was about beauty, poetry, and an ethereal kind of movement. Think soaring jumps, graceful gestures, and an absolute symphony of emotion. All captured in that whimsical swish and flutter of a perfect tutu.
Now, don't let the Victorian sensibilities fool you! They loved a bit of showmanship. There were plenty of bright colours, sequins and elaborate embellishments – just the kind of dramatic touch that gets a pink tutu enthusiast like myself swooning!
Speaking of colours, did I tell you about my latest fashion haul? I recently found this magnificent collection of antique lace in the most fabulous antique shop in Brighton. It's practically begging to be incorporated into a show-stopping tutu!
(Emma excitedly jumps to her feet and demonstrates a delicate pirouette, then regains her composure and continues.)
Now, back to 1849! January 30th falls smack-dab in the middle of a whirlwind of theatrical and fashion-forward happenings! Can you imagine!
Did you know that The Royal Opera House, our very own Covent Garden, was holding a fabulous new season of ballets that very month?!* Oh, I just love a grand ballet production with that beautiful golden curtain lifting, and those breathtaking, full-blown performances that take your breath away.
London was abuzz with the latest fashion trends, and every lady with any sense of style would have been on the hunt for the most stylish and decadent gowns, headwear, and accessories. And let’s not forget about the beautiful jewelry! I adore seeing these pieces of history come alive in museum exhibits – so sparkling and glamorous.
(Emma adjusts her feathered hat and leans in conspiratorially.)
- Just think! People were riding on horse-drawn carriages and bustling through London's cobblestone streets! And imagine, a mere century and a half ago, trains were the absolute cutting edge of travel! The Queen even had her royal carriage designed by an inventor who wanted it to look like a beautiful train car! Just think of the amazing outfits people would have worn, like grand ladies in their gowns, bustling for their trains or coaches, to attend fabulous theatrical events! It all feels so much more romantic and adventurous than our everyday life, doesn't it?
Speaking of adventures! Who knows where my next journey through time will take me? Maybe 19th century Russia, the home of Marius Petipa? Imagine dancing with the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova? Perhaps a peek into the glamorous world of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, with its stunning costumes and groundbreaking dance movements?
You know, these trips really help inspire me to keep exploring, experimenting with my own pink tutu designs. Every decade, every historical period, brings something new, something unique that makes you go “ah!” Maybe one day you'll see my pink tutus gracing the stages of London's famous theaters – or perhaps even grace the elegant necks of the next generation of ballerinas!
(Emma winks and smiles mischievously, her pink tutu billowing gently as she twirls around one final time.)
Till next week, my dear lovelies! Keep dancing! And remember, it's never too late to twirl in a pink tutu.
(With a flourish, Emma takes her final bow and disappears in a cloud of tulle.)
Yours in pink,
Emma
