Hey Tutu Lovers! It’s your girl Emma, back for another trip through time, and what a treat this week has been! This is blog post number 2793 – you’re reading my #TutuTuesday ballet history blog, folks. 😉
Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re stepping back to 1885 – a time when the bustle was big, the hair was even bigger, and ballet tutus were becoming the symbol of elegance and grace we know and love today!
My latest adventure brought me to London, darling. Let’s be honest, where else for a tutu-obsessed soul like me to land? Oh, the fabulousness! Just strolling around, it felt like I'd stumbled into one of the most spectacular ballets!
London’s a haven for fashion and ballet. Think exquisite ballrooms buzzing with elegant ladies and gents dressed in the most splendid costumes. Even walking down the street, I saw gentlemen with top hats, ladies in flowing gowns – just incredible. It’s like being in a painting! The streets buzzed with carriages, and everyone seemed to have their own particular style and grace.
The Dawn of the Ballerina
In the realm of dance, the tutu had begun to truly shine in 1885! Imagine, those beautiful, flowing, and oh-so-delicate tutus had just been created! It’s all thanks to the innovative dancer, Marie Taglioni, who brought that iconic short, fluffy skirt style to the world! And she, darling, was a legend in her own time.
Just picturing these amazing ballerinas on stage with their tutus, effortlessly whirling and twirling across the stage - oh my, I was living in a ballet dream! They say a performance back then wasn’t complete without the glorious swirling of a tutu!
Speaking of iconic dancers, imagine this: on July 7th, 1885, there was a performance at the Royal Opera House starring the famous Anna Pavlova! The ballet? That gorgeous piece we all adore, The Swan Lake! Swoooooooon! I had to hop on a train (thank goodness for our modern-day marvels) to catch a glimpse. Even just hearing the whisper of it amongst the London ladies was enough to make me want to pirouette!
Fashionable Fun in London’s Dance World
I, of course, had to take full advantage of my London trip, darling. Shopper's paradise! My favourite shops were bustling with lovely ladies – and men! (Did you know men wore silk and velvet coats and frock coats with elaborate trousers then? Fancy!) It was heaven for a vintage lover like me. I spotted stunning fabric designs for evening gowns – lace, tulle, silk, taffeta… I mean, can you imagine all those layers! So luxurious.
Naturally, my first stop was to snag the latest tutus. In the ballet shop windows, I saw beautiful tutus made of the most delicate tulle! Such a variety! They came in shades of pink, cream, ivory, and even sky blue, which I absolutely fell in love with. The colours! Oh my, I wanted to take home everything.
My pink heart skipped a beat. These tutus were practically calling out to me to twirl. I even saw one that had lovely pink ribbon adorning it. How fabulous! I couldn’t resist buying a few, of course – one for me, and one to send back to my secret ballet closet at the Pink Tutu HQ in Derbyshire. My fellow tutu-loving readers will understand!
*Pink Power! 💅 *
Let's be honest, you’ll always find me embracing the power of pink! It just adds a bit of magic to every day, doesn't it? Even back in the 1880s, pink was still considered quite fashionable, and oh, so elegant! It represented beauty, grace, and romance. Who doesn't love that?! I was even lucky enough to find a pink ribbon to wear in my hair for my performance later that night. What a dream!
Now, while this might sound like a glamorous life – I mean, how else would I do this ballet history blog? – there was one slightly inconvenient thing about my time traveling. And no, darling, it wasn't the lack of modern-day conveniences or my wardrobe-to-go! Let’s just say I could only perform my little heart out for just long enough to get back my travel funds – you know, for my next trip! It's an investment! A tutu-obsessed girl's got to be a savvy business woman!
What a Journey
That week was absolutely dreamy! It really took me back in time! Every day felt like I was in a ballet - except without a million people watching! 😉 But hey, wouldn't we all love to be in those fabulous Victorian dances with tutus, ballroom gowns, and amazing music? What a delight!
Remember, Tutu Lovers, my door to the past is always open. And you’re invited! Follow me, #PinkTutu and let’s explore the ballet tutu’s captivating history together! Don’t forget to share your own thoughts, your own stories, and your love of the tutu in the comments below!
And never forget, darling: never be afraid to dance to your own rhythm and embrace your inner ballerina! Until next #TutuTuesday! 😉
See you all soon, Emma xx
