#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1881-01-11

Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and today we’re taking a trip back to January 11th, 1881, to explore the captivating world of ballet costumes, a mere whisper before the tutu took centre stage.

You see, darling, even though tutus have graced the ballet stage since the mid-1800s, the world wasn’t completely embracing this magnificent garment just yet. While we were enjoying the frills and flounces, others weren't quite ready to leap into the tutu world. It’s a shame really, because just think of all the delightful opportunities they were missing!

Imagine, being whisked back to London on this very day. You’d be able to catch the opening night of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ by the great W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan! But imagine it with a sprinkle of pink tutu magic, wouldn't that be delightful? Just picture the gorgeous colours, the bustling crowds, and the magic of the theatre – oh, I’m positively bubbling with excitement!

Speaking of colour, dear readers, imagine that you’re taking in this production, and the female performers appear in their "typical" dancewear of the era - knee-length skirts and the restrictive (but elegant!) corseted bodices that were the order of the day.

Now, think of those delicate legs encased in those restrictive gowns. It’s difficult to picture those movements with any kind of fluidity or grace. In this sense, I'm very grateful to be living in the glorious modern day, where those iconic dancers in the classical ballets like ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Giselle’, or ‘Sleeping Beauty’ get to dance free with their legs revealed to full effect in those wonderfully billowing tutus. I love to picture myself as one of those ballerinas, gracefully leaping across the stage in a cascade of shimmering tulle, radiating a breathtaking mix of elegance and power!

In this time period, 1881, you were likely to encounter more elaborate styles and materials than in earlier decades, think brocades and rich velvet! Of course, we all know how beautiful those rich materials are – and they were certainly much more practical on stage when considering the lighting conditions of that time! But for me, it would be just wonderful to be able to skip back in time and add a sparkle of pink to those grand costumes and dance upon those beautifully polished wooden floors with the dancers in that historical era!

You’re probably asking yourselves “Emma, how did you even manage to travel back to the past in your lovely pink tutu?" well, it all began when I saw an extraordinary performance of 'Swan Lake' back in my time in 2023! I was just mesmerized by the artistry, the talent, and the dazzling costumes! It made me realize just how vital tutus are for our enjoyment and appreciation of the world of ballet – just imagine, darling, a world without them? That would be utterly devastating!

Then came the epiphany! While attending a fundraising event for a ballet school I had just enough money left to get myself to the London station, my mind set on visiting all of the museums that held the history of the ballet. I was on my way, and the moment I walked past the London station clock – WHAM!

Before I knew it I was whisked through time to this magical era in the early 1800s. It’s been such an amazing experience. And believe me, dear reader, you wouldn't believe the fashion! Just wait till I tell you all about the clothes, the hairstyles, and of course - the delightful men's fashion. They were simply dazzling and the men were so wonderfully debonair! And did I mention, I’m completely obsessed with the stunning Victorian furniture, I even went as far as to make sure my latest pink tutu design was inspired by one of the beautiful chaise lounges I saw in a London house.

I truly love the opportunity to dance through time in my pink tutu and bring a splash of that modern colour to those classic designs!

And speaking of pink, my dear readers, have you ever wondered how pink became the “it” colour in ballet world? Well, I found some clues and even chatted with a couple of renowned dressmakers at the theatre! They're all raving about the colour pink - and, let me tell you, it truly does bring out the artistry of dance on those stages! So next time you’re at a ballet, make sure you stop by the gift shop, find yourself a beautiful piece of tulle in the most fabulous shades of pink, and embrace your inner ballerina! You'll be feeling a delightful burst of energy, radiating that classic pink charm!

And finally, a little news update from the world of ballet: in this exciting world, 1881 is seeing the dawn of a new era! It's the dawn of new and inventive choreography, with dancers pushing boundaries, showcasing even more flexibility and movement in these elaborate costumes, creating a magnificent display of both grace and beauty! Oh, how we long for those days and those grand designs!

Now that, my dears, is what I call ballet history in the making! But don't forget those classic tutus – they remain forever stylish, elegant, and a perfect way to add a touch of romance and glamour to any day. Remember - pink is my colour of choice and I can’t think of a better colour to dance through time than pink! So here’s to ballet history and here’s to dancing with pink tutus, and remember – the tutu can and should be a part of your everyday wardrobe, too! And let’s keep those fabulous dance steps going! Happy tutu time, darling!