Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another glorious Tuesday on Pink-Tutu.com! Today's trip in my fabulous time machine takes us back to a truly elegant era - June 20th, 1882. Imagine yourself waltzing down the streets of London, a swirling, romantic atmosphere buzzing around you.
Now, I must admit, we're still a little way from the "tututastic" boom that'll take the world by storm a few decades later. Back in 1882, ballet tutus as we know them today weren't exactly mainstream fashion. Oh no! Think more... Victorian elegance! The ladies were all about bustles and crinolines, with layers and layers of fabric making them appear impossibly full and, well, very, very still. You certainly wouldn't be catching them doing a grand jeté in those creations!
But… there's a reason we're travelling back to this specific date!
Because, my dears, this was the very date that The Royal Opera House was officially inaugurated, after years of planning and reconstruction! Imagine, the buzz in London must have been electric!
It wasn't just an opera house though. No, my friends, it was the Covent Garden Theatre, a magnificent stage for not only opera, but also ballet!
While the tutus we associate with ballet may still be a little ways off, it’s still exciting to imagine this venue already drawing in the big crowds, the famous musicians and the renowned ballet dancers! Imagine being there, soaking in the atmosphere, the buzz of excitement! Isn’t it just wonderful to see how even centuries ago, London had a space dedicated to showcasing art, especially dance?
A Step Back in Time
Okay, so our tutus might be a bit... invisible in this period. Let’s imagine this scene: we're sitting in a carriage, bumping along cobbled streets, and the windows are down. We're on our way to The Royal Opera House, feeling like true London socialites, the air filled with the chirping of horses and the gossip of well-dressed passersby. Inside, the decor is opulent, rich, with velvet curtains and shimmering chandeliers. And as we take our seats, the stage fills with dancers. Imagine them, their graceful movements, the sheer effort in each plié and arabesque! And even if those aren't quite tutus, my dears, I'm sure their costumes, all frills and silk, were utterly enchanting!
Speaking of fashion! This was truly a period of extravagance. Just think, it was Queen Victoria's reign and every single dress was crafted with such intricate detail and design. It wasn’t all about tutus, but even then, a good sense of fashion could transport you anywhere! Can you imagine what I could do with all those gorgeous silks, velvets, and ribbons? I could put them to work for my tutu collection! My, the colours and the details, my dears, I just swoon!
Pink - Then and Now
And my lovelies, you’d be amazed by the pink. The colours they wore were often so vivid and bold, making this period one of exquisite beauty and glamour. From pastel pinks for afternoon tea to brilliant fuchsias for grand balls, pink was definitely not missing from the palette! Now imagine this: the gorgeous pinks and pale pastels of Victorian fashion would look just perfect as a backdrop for an entire wardrobe of tulle and silk, wouldn’t they? I can almost imagine my dreamscape of pink coming to life!
More Than Just a Dress
Oh, my friends, tutus! They aren't just dresses, are they? They are more than just frills and fabric; they’re the whispers of stories, the history of dreams and of freedom. They represent artistry and the pursuit of beauty, the desire to tell a story with every step, a story that speaks not only to the mind but to the heart!
I’m going to do some more digging around my archives, to see if there's any record of tutus worn on the stage in that very first production at The Royal Opera House. Now that would be a treat for my blog!
For now, I’ll leave you with a challenge: as you go about your week, imagine yourself a dancer from 1882. Take in the elegance of the period. Let your imagination run wild, dreaming of sparkling ballrooms, the sway of full-skirted dresses, and the gentle click of heels on the cobbles. And as you daydream, maybe picture just a tiny hint of pink… a hint of tutu... a little glimpse of what we'll see unfold in the magical world of ballet in the years to come.
And, of course, wear a pink tutu, for as always, I say, "Let's spread the love of tutus!".
See you next Tuesday, darlings!
Emma, your #TutuTuesday blogger