Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink tutu wearing time travelling ballerina Emma here! As always, I'm thrilled to be whisking you all back to another magical era in the history of ballet tutus with another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday!
Today, we're time travelling to October 28th, 1879 - a date that makes my heart skip a beat with excitement. I’ve arrived in London, just a hop, skip, and a pirouette from the majestic Covent Garden. It's a date brimming with history, fashion, and an exhilarating air of theatricality! The streets of London are practically vibrating with excitement, and the stage at Covent Garden is soon going to be awash with some of the greatest ballerinas the world has ever known!
Today marks the opening of the first night of the ballet season in London. I tell you what, darling, the buzz around the city is electric! Londoners are eager for their fix of drama, elegance, and the joy of the human form sculpted by movement. Can you even imagine being in the crowd, a ripple of anticipation passing through the whole auditorium as the lights dim, the curtain rises, and the dancers take their first graceful steps?
Now, about those tutus… In this time period, we’re right smack-dab in the Golden Age of ballet ! Oh, what a glorious age! Think Marie Taglioni - one of the very first ballerinas to wear a tutu in public - the icon who captivated audiences with her breathtaking grace and captivating movements. You’ll find this period brimming with new choreographic techniques – lighter steps, daring leaps – all in exquisite unison with the rising, soaring tutus. The dresses are as breathtaking as the dancers themselves, all flouncy layers, meticulously pleated, and flowing elegantly around the ballerina's limbs, emphasizing every arabesque and every pirouette. These are truly the pinnacle of femininity and ethereal movement.
Remember those whimsical Romantic styles that took the ballet world by storm during the 1800s? They are still going strong here, and the tutus follow suit! This period is all about showcasing the grace and elegance of the female form. Tutuses are designed to allow for greater range of motion and movement, which emphasizes the ballerina’s incredible athleticism. Just picture those light and airy movements, each dancer a feather gliding effortlessly across the stage – pure, feminine beauty. It's enough to make your heart soar!
Can you picture this: A sea of mesmerised faces, their breath held as the prima ballerina graces the stage in a glorious tutu of white tulle. Think of those gentle cascades of material – as beautiful as an actual cloud. They drape over the dancer’s lithe form in delicate layers. Imagine those exquisite details, those sparkling jewels, glittering in the spotlights like a scattering of stars. It’s truly a magical sight to behold!
If you could travel with me today, we would soak up the energy and atmosphere here in the theatre district of London, which feels very much like stepping onto a grand theatrical set. Imagine cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages clopping down the road, elegant gentlemen in their top hats and fine suits, ladies draped in silks, satins and the finest furs – a real symphony of class and refined style! I would suggest we nip into a charming cafe, sit down with cup of delicate, sugared tea, and watch as the fashionistas, and the actors flutter past. What a fascinating world to be a part of!
Now, here’s a fun fact that makes me chuckle. Back then, the ladies didn’t always take off to grand evening functions wearing their fine dresses - and yes, that includes those dreamy, flouncy tutus! It was considered highly inappropriate for ladies to reveal too much of their flesh to the world. They travelled around in their streetwear! Oh, the drama! You can imagine, then, the sheer joy when those gorgeous tulle tutus emerged upon the stage! A secret weapon for achieving instant enchantment – they just swept away any dull, grey aspects of the day, replaced them with something absolutely magical and thrilling!
This is all very exciting but we are back to my most important message. We have a mission to share: to share the magic of the tutu, and to get every single person out there sporting their very own pink tutu – don’t worry, you can go for a different colour, a classic white, perhaps – just go and get one! And why not head out to your nearest ballet studio? The stage is a place of wonder and delight, where you can tap into your inner child, explore your emotions through movement, and express your unique inner beauty. Trust me, the sensation of those tutus twirling, and those emotions surging forth, is the real deal – a true joy and happiness!
Before I have to vanish back into my time machine, I need to add something to my to-do list: A little retail therapy! I need to hit the vintage clothing shops and snag myself one of these historical beauties. The beautiful and flowing Romantic style will have to be mine!
Let’s celebrate this magical Golden Age of ballet with a beautiful swirling spin! Don’t forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com for more historical insights and some delicious ballet tutu inspiration! It’s the place to come and explore all that tutus have to offer. I can't wait to hear what you love most!
Until next Tuesday!
Yours in a swirl of pink,
Emma, the Time Traveling Tutu Lover
