Post number: 1205
Bonjour mes amis! It's Emma here from Derbyshire, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and it's time for our weekly trip through #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History. This week we're shimmying back to the year 1855 – buckle up for a whirlwind journey through a time when ballet was reaching dizzying new heights!
Oh, how I wish I could've travelled through time and found myself in London, the very centre of ballet at the time! 1855 was the year of some incredible events. It was the year that The Royal Opera House unveiled their newly renovated auditorium – imagine the sheer glamour of the first performance!
Of course, no #TutuTuesday post would be complete without some tutus! And you wouldn’t believe how the world of ballet costumes were evolving back then! Think soft, gauzy fabrics like silk, tulle, and muslin – perfectly airy for some breathtaking choreography. Imagine dancing around the stage, light as a feather in a cloud of pink tulle, what a dream!
Just picture it – a ballerina gracefully twirling on pointe in her beautiful costume, perhaps adorned with sparkling sequins and dainty bows, all set against a backdrop of luxurious velvet and silk drapes. There’s a hint of whimsy and a dash of grandeur in each performance!
As you know, I live for travelling in time and being surrounded by stunning fashion. In 1855, Paris was a fashion capital that was setting the trends for everyone! Parisian women embraced the ethereal style with elaborate gowns, billowing sleeves, and, of course, flowing skirts. The ladies wore their hair in an array of styles, often topped with extravagant hats. And don’t even get me started on their elaborate gloves – talk about a fashion statement! They would wear the daintiest little shoes that peeked out from under their skirts, shoes that perfectly matched their overall ensemble, as always, ensuring the ultimate Parisian flair.
But 1855 was also a time of great change for women's fashion. In the midst of all that tulle and ruffles, a new idea began to take root. The concept of separate jackets, a bodice and skirt, instead of one unified dress, became an increasingly popular way of dressing. Women's clothing became more practical and comfortable!
But that's just a glimpse into what we can find at the centre of 1855’s fashionable universe. Our beloved tutu itself, you know that symbol of our world of ballet, was already making a big name for itself. In the Victorian era, it would still be a good few decades until we'd be seeing our modern, recognisable tutu.
That doesn't mean the outfits of that time were less stunning! Back then, the graceful designs had less volume and focused more on long, flowy fabrics, all culminating in a beautiful blend of elegance and movement. Just picture it – an enchanting ballet dancer taking to the stage, a captivating symphony of grace and refinement.
Now, I must tell you, travelling through time to see all this ballet magnificence is certainly no easy feat! But for a love of the ballet and a fascination with fashion history, there is simply nothing I won’t do! To fuel my adventures through time, I dance at shows, share the joy of my blog with fellow enthusiasts, and sell a few ballet-themed fashion trinkets on the side.
It’s all worth it just to feel the enchantment of the ballet history all around me! So tell me, dear readers, have any of you ever been to a ballet performance in a period costume? Do tell!
A little reminder – I am posting a new ballet history blog on a weekly basis every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! Join me next week as we shimmy further back through time.
Until then, dance to your heart’s content!
Your eternally twirling, Emma.
TutuTuesday BalletHistory Ballet TutuLove FashionHistory TravelThroughTime PinkTutu