Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we celebrate all things pink and twirly! It’s #TutuTuesday, and today we're going to take a trip down memory lane to April 1st, 1884!
Now, let's be honest, travelling back to the 19th century to talk about tutus is a little like finding a sequined tiara in a haystack. Ballet, although already captivating audiences with its graceful movements and romantic storylines, hadn't quite reached the tutu explosion that would later take the world by storm. Think of this time as the pre- tutu era, a bit like the time before the internet! 😉
But just like a seed needs time to sprout, ballet and its costume designs were in the process of evolving. The romantic tutu, a fluffy affair with layers upon layers of tulle, was already establishing itself as the classic ballerina silhouette. It was airy, it was dreamy, it allowed the ballerinas to float across the stage like whimsical butterflies, and let me tell you, the ladies in those elegant tutus, they just knew how to own the stage!
Of course, my favourite part is the pink. This lovely hue was gaining its own standing in the world of fashion, with Parisian designers and dressmakers experimenting with its delicate shades and romantic associations. Can you imagine a ballerina in a vibrant pink romantic tutu, gracefully twirling under the gaslights of the Parisian opera house? Oh, the romance!
And as I’m sitting here in my own perfectly pink, fluffy tutu, sipping a pot of Earl Grey in my Derbyshire cottage, I’m already planning a visit to the ballet in London later this week! A ballet, a cup of tea, and a new pair of ballet shoes…now that's a Tuesday I can truly get behind!
Before I dash off to London (train travel, always a joy, and a perfect opportunity for my latest pair of platform boots), let's consider what happened on this day, 1884-04-01:
On this day, in 1884, Queen Victoria’s great granddaughter, Princess Alice, a daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, was born! Imagine the celebration in those grand royal halls, probably with plenty of tea and delicate cakes, fit for a little princess.
We’re talking the age of gaslight, of corsets and crinoline, of elegant carriages and charming picnics in the park. You can’t escape that sense of historical romance that seems to pervade that era!
I love these little peeks into history, and I think it’s essential for us to appreciate the origins of what we enjoy today. Our tutus are a fascinating blend of style and performance history, evolving over the centuries from elegant robes to our modern, free-flowing tutus. It's a tale of passion, grace, and, let's be honest, some incredible fashion choices!
I can't wait for the day we all wear pink tutus together! Think of the sheer beauty and twirling power of that image! Until then, stay twirling and embrace your inner pink princess, my dears!
See you next week, for another trip through time!
Your forever-in-pink,
Emma xx
TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #1884 #VintageFashion #QueenVictoria #TimeTravelingBallerina