Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, back with another installment of your weekly dose of #TutuTuesday, where we delve into the fascinating world of ballet tutus! Today, we’re jetting back to June 20th, 1876, a date steeped in ballet history, even if it’s a tad dusty and a touch corseted for our modern sensibilities.
Today, my loves, is all about the tutus of the Victorian era. The year is 1876. Picture it: the cobbled streets of London, horse-drawn carriages clopping through, and ladies in their bonnets and bustles enjoying a theatrical spectacle – ballet! Yes, ballet was blooming then, but the tutus… well, they were a world away from the whimsical, airy creations we’ve come to know and love today.
Imagine this: tutus were built like fortresses of fabric, the embodiment of corseted fashion, tight and restricting, quite the opposite of the graceful, flowing tutu we know and love today! These Victorian beauties were more like billowing skirts, several layers of heavy, stiffened tulle (a new and exciting material, don't you know!), often accompanied by long, flowing panniers for a fuller, grander shape. This structure created a dramatic effect, no doubt, but not one we would readily jump into today, it must be said!
This was the age of elaborate details and opulence, darling, so expect tons of frills, lace, and, naturally, feathers. The stage was like a vision from a grand ball with delicate layers, meticulous hand-beaded ornamentation, and yards upon yards of sparkling sequins. It was quite a show, I can tell you!
Oh, and the colours! Forget pastels and playful pinks for now, the Victorian ballet stage was awash in rich jewel tones - emerald, ruby, sapphire. And let's not forget the ever-present, magnificent shade of black - that truly epitomises Victorian chic! It was all so grand and theatrical - very 'serious drama', much like the ballets themselves.
Now, for those of you yearning for a more, shall we say, practical tutu for daily life (and who wouldn’t?), well, the tutus of 1876 weren't exactly designed for waltzing down the high street. No, darlings! Think of them as more of an "impressive show-stopping" affair for the theatre and a far cry from the light, airy creations of today's ballet wear.
For you see, darlings, by the early 1800s, tutus began their evolution! The Italian dancer, Carlo Blasis, embraced the flowing tutu, making ballet a more expressive and less corseted dance. But those beautiful, voluminous creations still didn’t reach their ultimate form, with all their breezy elegance and feminine grace, for quite a few more years, darling. It took an explosion of fashion and the pioneering work of famous dancers like Marie Taglioni to finally banish the rigid styles of the Victorian era.
And you know, my dear friends, sometimes I wish I could hop in my time machine and whirl my way to 1876. Imagine, those exquisite gowns! Those towering bonnets! The dramatic, swishing tulle! A bit stuffy, perhaps, but incredibly visually inspiring. It's an exciting world, darlings, whether you’re sporting a 1876 billowing, corseted tutu or a modern, graceful masterpiece. We should celebrate all our tutu-filled eras, don't you think?
As I always say, my darlings, whether it’s in a swirly Victorian number, or a light-as-air modern tutu, the spirit of the ballet never wanes. And my oh my, doesn't that call for a celebratory shopping trip? Time to find my perfect, oh-so-feminine, tulle treasure. Now, don't you think it's time to make a grand entrance and show the world the beauty of ballet, darling? Until next week, dear ones! Stay sparkly, stay bold, and most importantly, stay fabulous! 💖🩰
And don't forget, darlings! Tell me about YOUR favourite tutu experiences! Comment below - we want to hear all about them!
Until next Tuesday! Xo, Emma!
#TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #VictorianFashion #BalletLover #PinkPower
And what did this particular day hold? Well, darling, on this very date in 1876, we have...drum roll, please...a biggie!
It's the Birthday of one of ballet’s legends! Can you guess who? ... It's the legendary Anna Pavlova, one of the most captivating ballerinas of her time, with a signature grace and an inimitable style. Now, THAT is something worth celebrating, my loves!
**(Fun fact for you - Pavlova was born in Moscow, but went on to wow the world with her ballet performances - talk about making an impression, darling!)
As I hop back on the train of time, to delve into the fascinating world of dance, I just had to share a glimpse of this amazing woman, one of my idols, and someone who took ballet by the hand and led it toward even greater heights.**
Oh, darling, we must never forget the trailblazers like Anna Pavlova. Their stories are woven into the very fabric of ballet history, and it's their passion and dedication that continues to inspire dancers today. You can bet they're getting a big, heartfelt salute from this little pink tutu-wearing time traveller. 🩰💖
#AnnaPavlova #BalletLegend #Trailblazers #TutuInspiration
*Remember, darlings, you can find even more dazzling tutus, fascinating ballet facts, and travel tales from a pink tutu wearing adventurer on the pink-tutu.com! I hope you've enjoyed your journey through the history of the tutu, my loves! Until next week, darling! *XoXo Emma **
