#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1884-08-12

Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another blast from the past for your weekly dose of Ballet Tutu History!

This Tuesday, we're taking a trip back to 12th August, 1884 - a glorious summer day where the world of ballet was about to experience a bit of a… well, let's call it a 'fashion makeover' (no, you can't call it a tutu-morphosis yet, that's for later!).

As usual, I arrived in style - a steaming hot cup of Earl Grey and a cheeky slice of Victoria sponge (don't worry, my dress stays perfectly pristine - travelling through time does wonders for one's poise!).

Now, back in 1884, let's just say, 'tutu' wasn't exactly the common language. In fact, these days were more about layers and layers of gauzy fabrics. Think delicate tulle and lace, yes, but usually bunched and piled up like a fluffy cloud, not so much 'whirl-inducing'. This was a time of classic ballet, but still quite restricted.

But before we delve deeper, let's take a little side-trip to Covent Garden, shall we? The glorious opera house itself has always held a special place in my heart, a symphony of elegance and, of course, the ballet! The Victorian Era in London was a melting pot of cultural influence. Everyone, from the Queen herself, to the chimney sweeps, were captivated by this enchanting world of dance.

So, where were we? Ah yes! This era of ballet focused heavily on technique and dramatic story telling. The costumes, oh my! Long, flowing skirts, often adorned with panniers to accentuate the grand lines of the performance. Picture yourself, all grace and flow, waltzing with a swathe of billowing white fabric. Lovely, but I have to admit, I can’t resist the tutu wiggle and a dash of pink - they make everything so much more fun, wouldn’t you say?

Today, however, we can still revel in this historical splendour. A real treat for us is The Sleeping Beauty which just happens to be celebrating its 100th anniversary on this very date, 12th August, 1884! Imagine the excitement - a brand new, freshly created version of a story beloved by everyone. Such a thrilling feat of creative ingenuity!

Now, while we’re in London, let’s have a little browse, shall we? One of the most charming places I discovered was a little shop near Covent Garden called "Harrods". Oh, what a treasure trove! Silks, ribbons, and lace galore, everything I needed for a ballerina to feel perfectly fabulous. It wasn’t all about fancy gowns, though – I found some exquisite examples of early tutus! (Imagine a kind of gathered, short, full skirt, designed for leaps and bounds.) The colours weren’t pink yet – a tad more traditional white and beige – but still a vision of delightful frothiness!

My time travel adventure continued, taking me across the English countryside and beyond, visiting theatres across Europe, where ballet thrived and took flight. Every stop, a new discovery!

For example, the "Ballet Russe" movement was bubbling under the surface - a whole new wave of dramatic ballet with revolutionary sets, music, and costumes - something a bit more wild and exciting! And while we still have a few years until those incredible, vibrant tutus burst onto the scene, it was amazing to witness this energy already brewing in the air!

Finally, as my adventures end, I can’t leave you without a touch of 'tutu magic'. In Derbyshire, my little home county, we're keeping ballet's flame alive with local performances, classes and, of course, beautiful dancers twirling in their lovely tutus!

See you next Tuesday for another captivating journey into the history of our beloved tutu!

Love, Emma

P.S. And remember, dear readers, there's nothing stopping you from wearing pink in your everyday life. From the ballet studio to the coffee shop, embrace your inner ballerina, sprinkle some sparkle and live life to the fullest! Who knows, maybe it will even inspire others to wear pink too! 💖

Now, let’s chat! What are some of your favourite ballet stories from this time period? Do you think 1884 would have been a great era to be a dancer? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!