Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, back with another instalment of your favourite #TutuTuesday history blog. It's a chilly day here in London, but don't let that dampen your spirits! After all, it's Tuesday, which means it's time to dive headfirst into the fabulous world of ballet history. Today's blog is number 1100, can you believe it?! Let's put on our most extravagant tutus and travel back to January 25th, 1853.
Oh, before I forget, don't forget to check out the absolutely exquisite pink tutu collection I have up for grabs on www.pink-tutu.com. Each tutu is crafted with love and enough layers of tulle to make even the most discerning ballerina swoon. And while you're browsing, don't hesitate to take a peek at the absolutely divine ballet shoes and other charming accessories! You can purchase these beauties online, or swing by my shop in Derbyshire, where I'd love to meet you and show you around.
Now, back to the captivating world of the past! Let's jump aboard the time machine, a rather charming and elegant Victorian-era carriage, complete with a velvet-lined seat and an air of delightful old-world glamour. Hold tight!
1853: The Golden Era of Ballet
The year is 1853. It's a time of bustling creativity in London, Paris, and all the most dazzling capitals. Queen Victoria reigns over England, her popularity as strong as a pirouette executed with effortless grace!
Now, I may have to adjust my time machine ever so slightly, because the 1850s was a time when ballet was really hitting its stride. Imagine, ladies and gentlemen, tutus weren't even in common use yet! Imagine! Gasp! Our beautiful and delicate tutus are quite a recent invention!
If you were to attend a performance at the prestigious Royal Opera House here in London (don't worry, we can get our seats from the balcony - a perfect place for people-watching and gossiping about the exquisite gowns!), you would see dancers perform in billowing skirts of white cotton or satin, which allowed them to execute their moves with a certain freedom.
Imagine that, dear reader, a time without the exquisite tulle clouds that make us ballerina butterflies feel so incredibly light. Of course, we have tulle in our own era too - it can really transform a simple tulle tutu from an ethereal, classic garment into an utterly exquisite fashion statement! Tutu with layers of delicate fabric! Layers of beauty! You just cannot go wrong!
But in 1853, tutus, as we know them, were only beginning to gain popularity. It was this beautiful period when famous ballerina, Marie Taglioni (her name sends a shiver of delight down my spine), helped usher in the new era of ballet and, dare I say, helped set the foundation for the iconic ballet dress we know and adore today! Marie, with her long and slender legs, her ethereal presence, was just the type of ballerina to elevate the fashion to a new level of elegance. Can you picture it? Swoons. She is a perfect picture of femininity and grace!
Imagine: the glittering chandeliers casting a magical glow upon the stage, and the captivating, fluid movements of the dancers, perhaps a graceful pas de deux, and the music - Ah! You can almost hear it, can't you?
Of course, London's social calendar is jam-packed. If we're not at the ballet, we can be found attending an exclusive gathering hosted by one of the esteemed dignitaries. Maybe the Queen is holding court at Buckingham Palace or a lavish ball has been organised at the stately grand houses around Hyde Park, or even a musical at the Drury Lane Theatre! London never sleeps, my dear readers!
I just can't help thinking what it would have been like to have witnessed a ballet performance back then, can you imagine? The energy in the air must have been incredible, especially with such notable dancers! Speaking of energy - if you're up for a little dancing and movement, my favourite new class here in Derbyshire is Ballet Barre, such an elegant way to move! My dear readers, if you get the chance, try out this fabulous form of dance - you will adore it!
But back to 1853! It was during this very time that fashion underwent quite a shift, leading to the invention of tutus, just a short time later! Can you believe it?! It's truly magical to think that our favourite ballet wear has evolved with history! You see, darling, my fashion-forward mind loves learning how things develop - fashion is in a constant state of change, as we see with tutus, and we get to be a part of this creative change - fabulous!
Remember, this is just a glimpse of our glamorous journey back to January 25th, 1853! What would be the next invention, I wonder? Could you imagine tutus with beautiful little flower decorations around the bottom of the tulle? Or little frills, or... a tulle cape? I just want to wear tutus in every shape and size! laughs And of course, what colour are we choosing? Of course, it's pink! My, how we have loved it, how we continue to love it! What would fashion be without a generous dose of this charming pink! You know that when I’m shopping, I always buy something in pink, whether it's for my new Parisian flat, my grand London apartment, or, of course, for my tutu wardrobe!
And there we have it, dear readers! Today, on January 25th, 1853, let's remember the glorious history of the dance that captivated the world and inspired our enchanting tutus. A huge round of applause for all the lovely ballerinas! We just adore all of you!
Until next time, stay stylish and remember to let your inner ballerina shine!
*XOXO, *
Emma
Your Pink Tutu Blogger
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1853 #pinktutu #timetravel
*Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com to see our stunning tutu collection! *
I hope this blog post was delightful for you! Please let me know what you think and stay tuned for the next episode of #TutuTuesday, where we’ll explore another historical milestone in the incredible story of ballet. I can't wait to share more of my adventures!
