Hello my lovely tutu-tastic friends! It’s Emma, your ever-so-pink-tutu-loving time traveller, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday! Today we’re taking a grand, swirling trip back to the 4th of November, 1851 – the date that holds a very special place in tutu history. Grab your best pink tiaras, because it’s about to get gloriously glamorous!
As you all know, my heart belongs to tutus – and not just any tutus, oh no, we’re talking pink tutus, those symbols of delicate grace and elegance. And believe it or not, their history is as rich and colourful as a box of bonbons. Today, I'm going to share with you a little something about that history, because a good tutu story is something every ballet lover needs!
Now, 1851, we’re in the middle of the Victorian Era, a time when women were expected to be dainty and refined, a time when lace and ruffles were as much in fashion as a good cup of tea. And this is exactly the time that tutus really start to take flight.
Before then, the world of dance had seen rather less fancy footwear. Dancers swished and swayed in full skirts and bodices, making for movements that were less… airy. Can you imagine performing an arabesque with your layers of silk and cotton around you? No thank you! Thankfully, progress came along in the form of the tutu!
Remember, ballet at this time was all about beautiful lines and graceful leaps. A new kind of dress was needed, something lighter, something that could dance, something that wouldn't get caught in the scenery. And in comes the tutu. Now, we’re talking true ballerina fashion: a light, breezy, skirt-like creation, just begging to spin! Imagine those perfectly turned out legs – a vision, just a vision!
But on the 4th of November, 1851, a very important event took place, an event that had a real impact on fashion: the opening of The Great Exhibition. Now, The Great Exhibition was a showcase of the world’s best technology and craftsmanship. This grand spectacle took place at The Crystal Palace in London, and guess what, it was an absolute tutu-licious affair!
Fashion was on full display, the pinnacle of 19th century design. All those who had travelled to the heart of the British empire saw firsthand the exquisite, the bold and the creative, the epitome of beauty and glamour!
Think about it, all those ladies with their fancy frocks – all those perfectly curled hairstyles, those stylish hats. That’s how fashion, and perhaps tutus, really took centre stage! A ballerina wouldn’t be caught dead in anything else. And you know what I love? Seeing those old photographs of the era, with ladies from all over the world with their dainty silhouettes, swirling and pirouetting in their magnificent fashions! Now that's my cup of tea!
What I also adore is that the exhibition actually brought ballet to new heights of recognition. People were seeing ballets for the first time and their minds were blown! A wave of enthusiasm for ballet swept across the nation! I mean, why else would we have seen such elaborate stage sets and lavish costumes at the performances? I mean, a bit of colour always brightens up a ballet performance, don’t you agree?
So this 4th of November 1851 is more than just a date on the calendar - it’s the start of a new era, an era of ballet that wouldn't be complete without those graceful, delicate tutus. And here I am, in the era of those elegant skirts, travelling back in time, spreading my pink tutu gospel – let's bring it back to the big, glamorous shows with all the wonderful clothes and stage costumes we’re all so in love with!
Do join me next week for another edition of #TutuTuesday! Remember, every Tuesday I’ll be bringing you stories about the most magical, captivating piece of clothing ever invented - the tutu! And for your information, a ballerina cannot exist without her tutu – just like a princess cannot exist without her tiara! And for my #PinkTutuFam, there's a special sale at the Pink-Tutu online store for the entire week. If you're a true pink tutu aficionado, make sure you check it out! It's going to be grand, just like those Great Exhibition days!
Now, let’s go on a tutu adventure, my loves! Have a sparkling day filled with twirls, dreams, and – yes, you guessed it! – a whole lot of pink tutus! Until next week!
Emma xx
