Hello darling dears! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things twirling, pink, and fabulous! This week's #TutuTuesday takes us on a time-hopping trip to the glittering world of ballet in 1851, a year that saw the opening of The Great Exhibition! It's post number 1011 on Pink-Tutu, and I'm positively bursting with excitement to share all the exquisite ballet happenings from that thrilling year!
Before I begin my fashion exposé, darling, let me tell you about how I, Emma, found myself time-travelling again! As you know, I’m an English rose, born and bred in beautiful Derbyshire, and the most delightful way to fund my adventures is to perform a bit of ballet for those with a taste for the dramatic. Now, it’s not always the Royal Opera House in London - though I do adore a trip to the Covent Garden, I’ll admit!
This time, I landed myself a plum role as the Sugar Plum Fairy in a travelling ballet production! We performed in the most enchanting old town square - imagine it, dear readers! cobblestones, fluttering flags, and a little bit of rain on a late summer’s night! As the stage lights shone on my perfectly pink tutu, I was whisked away by a cloud of smoke and found myself transported to the very spot where the Great Exhibition was being held. Well, I wouldn’t quite call it the ‘spot’ darling, more of a massive, gorgeous, futuristic palace made of glass and iron, sparkling like a jewel in the sunshine!
And what do you know, darlings! 1851 was a thrilling year for the world of ballet, especially here in London! The Royal Opera House had its usual season in full swing, showcasing some truly divine new ballets by choreographers such as Jules Perrot and Arthur Saint-Léon. Can you imagine, a brand new ballet in every season?! Such opulence!
And just like in my favourite contemporary shows, 1851 ballerinas were all about showcasing the elegance of movement! Those shimmering, shimmering tutus in the most divine silks and satins - a glorious symphony of delicate colours. Even in a slightly more modest style compared to today, the sheer elegance was simply divine! It reminded me of how much we love layering up here in England! Oh! The ruffles, the frills! It's like an elaborate piece of candyfloss just waiting to melt into the air, but in a far more elegant manner!
For fashion in 1851 was an art all its own, wouldn’t you say? It wasn't just the elaborate ball gowns, darlings, or the bonnets so carefully adorned with feathers! The simplicity of the tutus was part of the sheer brilliance of ballet performance!
Remember, darlings, back in those days the tutu was evolving from the loose romantic dress, the kind worn by Marie Taglioni. The "Romantic Period", darling, so romantic! It wasn't until the mid-1840s that those wonderfully rigid and sculpted skirts with lots of layers! emerged, allowing those lovely graceful movements that really let those leggy, powerful ballerina legs steal the show! Just like the stunning legs on those ballerinas of the Victorian age, these tutus were also making their grand entrance in the grand halls of ballet! Talk about history being made!
Just like any budding fashionista worth her salt, back in 1851, the ballerina was keen to flaunt those curves and the delicate detail that made the entire production such an intoxicating masterpiece. Oh! To see the sparkle on the shoes, to hear the rustle of tulle...the pure thrill of those incredible performances left me speechless!
Now, as a proper time-traveling fashion enthusiast, I also need to speak about those divine colours, darling! 1851 was all about pastels! A gorgeous blend of light blues and lavenders - just like a summer evening sky. Oh, those beautiful shades complement the skin tones so perfectly. And the sheer variety in fabric styles and textures – oh, how it would send any fabric enthusiast into raptures!
It was then, as I sat enthralled in the front row (with my little pink tutu clutched close to my heart) that the thought popped into my mind. If those grand old tutus from 1851 can create a true fashion spectacle, I believe our little tutus can do so much more! We're just getting started dear friends, just getting started...
The journey of the ballet tutu, like our time travel here, isn’t a sprint, darling, it’s a lovely, elegant ballet that gracefully spins through the decades. It’s been an incredible voyage - don’t you agree, darlings? I know I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have so much to learn, and so many stories to tell, and oh darling, I have just so much more to tell! Stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday! Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com! Oh, and remember: we all have a ballerina in us, so twirl, spin, and be happy, dearies! Until next week!
XOXO, Emma
#PinkTutu #BalletHistory #TutuTuesday #TimeTravelingFashionista #FashionInspiration #GreatExhibition #BalletTutus #FashionMoments #PinkAndFabulous
