Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your trusty time-traveling tutu-touting blogger, ready to whisk you away on another historical fashion adventure! This week, we're heading back to the 19th century, a period brimming with sartorial intrigue and, of course, the rise of the graceful ballet tutu!
It's a Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday! And today, we're focusing on December 19th, 1876. Now, this wasn't a particularly momentous date for the world of fashion, but it does offer us a fantastic opportunity to explore the exciting evolution of the tutu at a time when the Victorian era was in full swing, and ladies were sporting some seriously fascinating silhouettes.
As we travelled through time on our trusty train, a quaint steam engine rattling through the English countryside, I couldn't help but feel a pang of wistful nostalgia. Back in Derbyshire, I can almost imagine the flurry of bustle and whispers as ladies in their elaborate gowns prepared for an evening at the opera, the elegant waltzes that swirled with a sense of romantic yearning, and the flickering gaslight casting dancing shadows on the elegant faces.
The World of the Victorian Ballet Tutu
Imagine this, my dears. The year is 1876. Gaslights cast a golden glow over cobbled streets. People in the theatre have donned their finest velvet and lace, eager to witness the ethereal artistry of ballet. And on stage, graceful dancers shimmer, twirling and leaping in tutus crafted from yards upon yards of shimmering fabric. But these weren't the puffy, frilled, multi-layered tutus we see on the stage today. These tutus, crafted from layers of tulle, were simpler, flowing and more elongated, often falling to the ankles in a wisp of diaphanous loveliness. Think about the classic "La Sylphide" tutu, with its ethereal layers, allowing for more freedom of movement and evoking a sense of almost otherworldly lightness.
Fashion and Function
This particular tutu style, with its simplicity and lightness, was revolutionising ballet attire. Before this era, ballerinas often performed in lengthy, cumbersome skirts, hindering their movement and agility. These new, streamlined tutus, made primarily from lightweight tulle, allowed for greater freedom and expressiveness in the dancers' movements. Think about the breathtaking leaps, the graceful pirouettes, and the effortless movements. They would have been unimaginable with the previous restrictive attire! A glorious era for the evolution of ballet!
My Muse
Speaking of ethereal lightness and freedom, how about a dash of pink for our #TutuTuesday ensemble, darlings? I recently stumbled upon a remarkable vision in a vintage clothing store - a delicate pink satin bodice and tulle skirt reminiscent of those glorious, simple, but so elegant tutus from the Victorian period. Just picture the contrast against the velvet-draped boxes in the opera, the gaslight throwing the delicate pink a warm hue...it was the epitome of Parisian chic with a touch of ballerina elegance! And a dash of colour to uplift the winter blues. It was simply a vision!
The Pink Tutu – A Constant Throughout Time
This is the joy of ballet history. It reminds me that fashion is always evolving and embracing new ideas while honouring the classic trends. The pink tutu has always been there! The classic shape of a tutu has been redesigned through the ages, its structure altered and reinvented to keep up with the times. A constant presence through all eras of ballet.
More About My Trip...
Speaking of evolving fashion and tutus! What a treat my recent trip through time has been! While we weren’t actually dancing in our little pink ballet shoes in 1876, I did manage to indulge my love of theatre and all things related to the world of ballet.
On my trip through time, I was able to catch a magnificent performance of "La Bayadère" in St Petersburg, Russia. The ballet's stunning set and costumes, with a plethora of glittering silks, plush velvet and satin tutus, had me utterly entranced! The spectacle of ballet remains unmatched in its captivating charm and elegance.
But it wasn't just ballet I was feasting on. As a dedicated time traveler, I took every opportunity to explore the city, indulging in fashion and local treats!
I managed to pick up a vintage Russian ballet shoe to add to my ever-growing collection (of pink shoes of course)! What an exceptional find. My trip would have been incomplete without this particular addition to my shoe cabinet. And the tea with honey, that delicious scent...I just had to find my nearest equivalent here at home.
So there you have it, my dears! A delightful journey back to 1876 and a glimpse into the history of the ballet tutu, always the most magical and delightful part of a performance. A little trip through time and a ballet shoe is a small price to pay to help everyone understand the beauty of ballet, and tutus, of course!
Until next Tuesday! Keep twirling and remember: pink is the only acceptable colour for your ballet tutu!
Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com