Welcome, darlings, to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, post number 2413! Today we're whisking ourselves back in time to the enchanting year of 1878, a period that was positively bursting with sartorial delights, just waiting for a splash of pink.
I must confess, travelling back to 1878 meant leaving behind my trusty pink tutu (I simply couldn’t imagine it enduring the long journey). But fear not, my loves! My time-travel budget was a tad low this week so instead I’ve opted for a delightfully extravagant gown, a delicate confection of silk and lace in the palest shade of blush pink. It’s just the thing to capture the delicate air of the era.
I must say, 1878 was an extraordinary year. It was the year of "The Mikado," a charming operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan which debuted in London, causing a veritable frenzy! Now, you all know how much I adore the theatre, and even if I didn't wear a tutu to the theatre at the time, I simply couldn't miss a show of such renown. Imagine the costumes, my darlings, a kaleidoscope of colours and intricate designs! I wouldn’t have been surprised to find some whimsical tutus fluttering about on stage!
While we're on the subject of fashion, imagine the grand ladies of London and Paris strolling through their boudoirs in their stunning gowns, perhaps even a smattering of elaborate corsets. This period saw the flourishing of high-necked bodices and layers of frills – an enchanting aesthetic, though a little impractical for, say, pirouettes. Of course, a little sprinkle of pink here and there would have lifted the whole look from delightful to utterly breathtaking.
As for the actual tutu, its history continues to blossom at a truly remarkable rate. During this period, the tutu – or tulle as it was sometimes called – continued its metamorphosis from the airy confection of the Romantic Era to the more practical yet just as visually striking designs we know and love today.
Imagine the ballets, the sweeping elegance of a graceful plié in a swirling white tutu. Every movement was a delicate brushstroke, a graceful narrative on a stage painted with the sheerness of tulle. The dance studios themselves were like whimsical palaces of ethereal elegance, bursting with passion for this transformative form of expression.
And yet, my dear blog followers, one wonders - what if these exquisite performances had been enhanced by the presence of pink? A shade of delicate pink would have infused these productions with a sense of joy and femininity, lending a delicate touch to the already enchanting spectacle. The contrast against the stage lighting and backdrops would have been positively magical, creating a truly enchanting spectacle.
Indeed, what is more captivating than a symphony of delicate pink tutus dancing under the enchanting glow of a stage lamp? The very air would shimmer, the notes would become more ethereal, the beauty of the choreography would reach a peak that would leave your heart overflowing with awe.
The thought of it all has my mind brimming with inspiration. Maybe, in the future, I'll even travel to 1878 and stage my very own "Pink Tutu Ballet"! Think of it - pink, the colour of sweetness and grace, cascading over the stage, creating a symphony of beauty that will be whispered about in every drawing room for years to come.
As for now, darlings, let's continue to explore the fascinating world of tutus together! Keep a sharp eye on my blog every Tuesday for a fresh glimpse into the captivating history of the ballerina’s most beautiful companion.
And until then, never shy away from embracing your inner pink tutu goddess!
**Love,
Emma**
P.S. Be sure to head over to www.pink-tutu.com for the latest pink tutu fashions and news, and follow me on Twitter and Instagram!
