Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your weekly dose of tutu-tastic history and fabulousness. It's a crisp November morning here in London, the perfect day to dream of tutus and time travel. 🕰️
Today we're stepping back in time, dear readers, to a rather special date – November 6th, 1849. Imagine, if you will, cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and ladies with voluminous skirts that wouldn't be out of place in a Jane Austen novel! And believe me, darling, the tutus of the time were just as delightful!
As I stepped off the time-traveling carriage and into a bustling Covent Garden, the air buzzed with excitement for tonight's ballet performance. You see, November 6th was a significant date in the world of ballet! It marked the first performance of the now legendary "Giselle" at Her Majesty's Theatre!
This production, choreographed by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli, revolutionised ballet with its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The ballerina's movement, infused with grace and melancholy, captured the tragic tale of Giselle, a peasant girl betrayed by love. 💔
The tutu? Ah, darling, the tutus! They were quite different from the billowing, fluffy creations we see today. In the mid-19th century, the "tutu" we knew then was still evolving, a shorter, tiered skirt, still quite dramatic but not as airy as we now see. However, imagine the elegance of the dancing in those early "Giselle" productions, the tutus gracefully sweeping the stage in a flurry of ethereal movement! 🩰
Speaking of tutus, I must share a secret with you – a little fashion gem from this era. You see, while the typical "Giselle" tutu was in white, the dancers wore coloured sashes tied around their waists, which gave the whole ensemble a dazzling vibrancy. My own vision? Well, it involves a cascade of delicate pink sashes on the “Giselle” tutus - wouldn't it be positively enchanting? 💖
Of course, a trip back to Victorian London wouldn't be complete without a dash of shopping. Oh darling, the stores were positively teeming with exquisite fabric, from silks and satins to delicate laces. If only we could transport it all back here to our own era! ✨
My, my, how this journey through time has given me some incredible ideas for a tutu collection – a delicate tulle with a delicate pink sash, or a tulle tutu in a soft champagne shade. I must have a word with my seamstress when I return! 🧵
Oh! What was I saying? Oh, yes! As I strolled through the bustling streets, I came across a small, unassuming shop on a corner, nestled beside a bakery, which was filled with colourful ribbons. Honestly, it felt like a fairyland! So many delicate, beautiful patterns to inspire my own pink tutu visions.
But before you say "Goodbye" to me, my dear readers, don't forget the key part of my weekly travel - the performances! The ballet, oh the ballet! So moving, so magical! It truly did take my breath away.
I've got to go! My time traveling schedule is pretty packed this week! If I have a chance I'm going to catch another performance – the dancers I saw tonight are incredible. It makes my little tutu heart burst with joy! 💖
So, remember my darlings, whether it’s in a traditional white, or in a dreamy, vibrant pink, the tutu is a symbol of timeless beauty, and a powerful reminder that the magic of dance never goes out of style. 💖
Until next week, my loves, remember - embrace your inner tutu fairy and keep dreaming big! 🩰
Yours truly, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
