Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu, fashion, and ballet. Today is #TutuTuesday, and we're venturing back in time for another incredible journey! Grab your favourite pink petticoats and let's head to June 10th, 1851! 🚂
This week, we're stepping into the Victorian Era, where romance and glamour are in the air. And where better to experience this era's elegance than in London, the centre of the fashionable world! The year 1851 marks the opening of the Great Exhibition - an awe-inspiring showcase of the world's industrial achievements held in a spectacular glass palace, known as the Crystal Palace.
Now, I don't know about you, but I imagine a world brimming with elaborate, swirling gowns and the gentle rustling of silks! The Queen herself, Her Majesty Queen Victoria, will be gracing the exhibition with her presence - what a spectacle! You can imagine her wearing a beautiful silk gown and her famous pearl necklace. 💎
And talking about spectacles... Have you ever considered just how old the tradition of the ballet tutu is?
Well, while the modern, short tutu, the one we all love for its airy and graceful appeal, is a relatively recent invention (thank you, Marius Petipa!), the concept of a short skirt in ballet isn't entirely new!
We have to rewind to 1832, to the romantic ballerina Marie Taglioni, whose ethereal grace redefined the image of the ballerina. She favoured a loose, floating, white dress that revealed her delicate feet - the perfect garment to accentuate her exquisite balletic movements! 💫
Though it wasn't the tightly fitted tutu we know today, it was a turning point! You could say it was the first hint of the elegant garment we cherish.
Back to our trip to London! The Crystal Palace, a dazzling monument of Victorian ambition, is a testament to innovation. But don't just think of machines and inventions - the Great Exhibition is a feast for the eyes and imagination!
This was a world obsessed with fashion and refinement, where every detail was meticulously curated. Fashion houses across London, and even abroad, would be buzzing with creativity, producing luxurious gowns and intricately designed accessories. The idea of looking refined and put together is more important than ever!
We are going to find that London's theaters are filled with balletic wonders! The theatre, and particularly the Royal Opera House, are havens of artistry and grace. Imagine a performance where beautiful dancers, in their swirling dresses and pointed shoes, create captivating stories with every move!
If you're interested in indulging in your own fashion journey, don't forget to explore the vintage boutiques lining London's streets! Who knows what sartorial treasures you might unearth!
For this week's #TutuTuesday outfit inspiration, why not go for a whimsical romantic Victorian look! Imagine yourself dancing at the Great Exhibition, or attending a grand opera. A stunning pale pink floor-length gown, paired with a delicate lace bolero, adorned with shimmering beads and pearls. Let your hair down, curled gently at the nape of your neck and secured with a graceful flower crown - so beautiful! And lastly, a touch of that quintessential tutus charm: a sheer, ruffled, pink petticoat peeks out below your flowing gown!
Just like those delicate ballerina dresses, you'll be moving through London's bustling streets with an elegant, refined touch. 🩰
Let me know your favorite historical fashion periods. Let’s explore all these eras together. This is post number 1015, so keep an eye out next Tuesday, 18th June, for more fabulous adventures! Remember, the most beautiful things in life are found in the journey! Until then, wear your tutus with pride! 💕
Yours in Pink,
Emma x
