Welcome back to my Pink-Tutu Blog, darling dears! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet enthusiast, ready to take you on another journey through the fascinating world of the ballet tutu! Today we’re at #2269, and we’re waltzing right back into the whimsical, wonderful world of ballet’s past - June 22nd, 1875. And what a lovely day it is! Just perfect for a spot of afternoon tea and a good old-fashioned ballet performance!
Before we get swept up in all the tutus and ta-da's, I must admit I just love hopping onto these vintage train carriages. You get a feel of proper elegance when travelling to the theatres of days gone by. All that plush red velvet, brass gleaming, and ladies in bonnets gossiping over cups of tea. Now THAT'S the real time travel experience.
Now, I'm not sure about you, but the way tutus used to be styled was just divine! Just picture this, darlings - Imagine yourself floating on stage in a tutu so lavish, so full of frills, that it would make the audience gasp with delight!
Ah, the 1870s. An era that epitomised romance, theatre, and elegance! And we simply must remember our Mary Ann ("Madge") Gilbert (born Mary Ann Murphy), whose tutu legacy still twirls around the dance world. This pioneering ballet dancer revolutionised ballet design with her unique style and iconic tutus.
And here’s the fun part! If you find yourself in London town on this particular 22nd of June, make a bee-line for the Covent Garden Theatre where, even back in 1875, a dazzling, dazzling show was being put on! That's right - The grand ballerina * Catarina Pizzetti * , known as “Madame", was gracing the stage. Imagine, my dears, her exquisite technique, her beautiful artistry, all framed by that glorious tutu. You’d be absolutely swept away, I assure you!
Think for a moment about what style of tutus were in vogue at this time. Let me tell you, these were not your "everyday, casual" tutus, mind you. The romantic era favoured a much grander, flowing, frillier look. Think of multiple layers of soft tulle, meticulously ruffled and painstakingly crafted to create a silhouette that practically defied gravity. They weren't as short and sharp as the modern ones, were they? No, they were a celebration of graceful lines and flowing movement. A symphony in silk, designed to showcase the feminine form.
It’s truly fascinating, how much time shapes even something as seemingly simple as a tutu! The era's fascination with the beauty of the female form found expression through the opulent fabrics, elaborate embroidery and lavish lace details found on the tutus of the time. I'm always saying this - it’s a fashion journey that’s as inspiring as it is informative!
But it isn't all frills and feathers! Ballet in 1875 wasn't just about beauty and artistry - It was about breaking barriers. In those days, a lot of women didn’t even have the right to vote, but women like Madge Gilbert were showing the world the power of ballet, with her stunning dance techniques and awe-inspiring costumes. This lady’s a real icon.
Just like my love of pink tutus is my driving force for discovering all these historical details about tutus and travel, you'll see these stories, as I do, are all woven together to reveal the hidden beauty and elegance of a period so much larger than just fashion itself.
For me, every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday, but when you find yourself taking a trip through time, remember that every date has a little something special to offer, a unique story to unfold. So make sure to wear a pink tutu for a trip through history yourself. Because my dears, I believe we all have a sparkle within, just like the tulle and glitter of a tutu!
Now, until next week's trip, I'll leave you with a final thought – When it comes to tutus, fashion history is just a story awaiting a tutu twist! Until next time! Stay sparkling, my dear readers!
