Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving time traveller, and I'm positively giddy to be back with another #TutuTuesday! This week we're taking a grand leap back in time, all the way to September 29th, 1863, and, my dears, you won't believe what's happening!
I must admit, I was slightly dubious about visiting the late Victorian era for a Tutu Tuesday post. A tutu? In 1863? Now, I'm a staunch believer in tutus for every era, but even I had my doubts. As I've said many times before, tutus weren't even dreamt up in the 1800s, but I knew with my trusty time machine, I could still uncover some seriously exciting dance history, so I packed my pinkest tulle and set off!
As I stepped out of the station onto the bustling London streets, my breath caught in my throat. Everything was so different! The elegant carriages, the gentlemen in top hats, the women in their corseted gowns – it was straight out of a Dickens novel!
And what a time it was for theatre and performance. The Royal Opera House was a hotbed of creative energy, hosting ballets that combined the grace of classic techniques with thrilling new choreography. Just imagine, folks, a ballet world still largely unfamiliar with the flamboyant artistry of the tutu!
But here's the twist – though tutus might have been non-existent in the theatrical world of 1863, the seed of what we know and love was already taking root!
One of my favourite things about time travel, other than finding the most spectacular fabrics, of course, is how even the smallest moments, the tiniest details, can make a huge difference to the future. It's all about seeing things through different lenses!
Take, for example, this momentous date of September 29th, 1863. The esteemed Royal Opera House, that magnificent building that houses the history of ballet and the grandeur of so many ballerinas, had a big change in its management! It's an often overlooked fact that on this date, Frederick Gye, a very astute impresario, took the reins at the Opera House. This marked a period of growth, of grand vision, of pioneering artistic moves that, unbeknownst to the people of that time, would significantly impact ballet history and even lay the foundations for the rise of the tutus themselves!
What's remarkable is how these changes, big or small, woven into the tapestry of history, eventually resulted in the evolution of the theatrical styles and, dare I say, paved the way for the explosion of the tutu that was to come later.
Now, I might not be able to pull off a full tutu look in 1863, it simply wouldn't be authentic. But even in a time when the idea of a tulle explosion was still in the future, my inner-fashionista found a way to honour the day, even if I was out of place in my vibrant, shimmering tulle!
I ventured into the chic shops of London, the bustling shops lining the grand shopping streets, a whirl of lace and silks, velvet and velvet. Imagine my delight when I found a beautiful silk, almost a pastel shade of pink, just perfect for the day. I bought enough fabric to make the most adorable peplum, my own twist on Victorian fashion!
And, of course, I had to find a lovely new train journey. After a grand lunch of cucumber sandwiches at a London tea room (so fancy!), I took a leisurely journey down to Derbyshire, a journey that made me appreciate the train rides that inspired so many people who came to the city and, years later, those who flocked to the theatres and became dance aficionados. My ride took me back through the Derbyshire countryside, the air crisp and cool. It was beautiful, the journey punctuated by rolling hills and small picturesque villages.
What makes it even more fascinating is that while this date marks an era of change at the Royal Opera House, it also witnessed a parallel growth in ballet academies and ballet schools throughout Britain. These smaller venues nurtured generations of talented dancers who were not confined to the larger metropolitan stage, a vital element in shaping the dance landscape as we know it.
So, my lovelies, as we enjoy our #TutuTuesday trip back to 1863, we should acknowledge those early visionaries who shaped ballet's path, and we should appreciate those silent but significant contributions to our love for ballet, tutus and everything pink!
Remember, history, even in its subtle twists and turns, has paved the way for the tutu to reign supreme in every era! Now, don't forget to share your own Tutu Tuesday memories in the comments, or head to our online shop for some adorable pink tutu goodies to bring a little sparkle to your life!
See you all next week for more tutu-licious travel adventures!
Until then, twirl on!
Your ever-fashionable, Emma
