Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where we dance through time, one fabulous tutu at a time! 🩰
It’s #TutuTuesday, and this week, we’re taking a little trip back in time, all the way to 13th April 1886! 🕰️
I must confess, travelling by train for these history adventures can be a bit bumpy, but it’s all worth it for a peek into the world of fashion, and more importantly, the ballet scene! You know how I feel about a good tutus, and I always like to explore the history behind this iconic garment.
As always, before we start, I just want to encourage all of you to don your pink tutus! Let's spread the love for this fabulous piece of attire. You never know, maybe someone seeing you will feel inspired to get their own and join our pink tutu club! 💕
A World of Romance & Romance:
So, the year is 1886! Victorian elegance is in full swing and what better way to appreciate it than to enjoy a performance at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane! Now, you might not think of that iconic venue as a centre of dance, but it was where I travelled this time! Back then, ballet was considered part of a larger theatrical spectacle. We see much more operetta and drama at this time rather than strictly classical ballet. But that's not to say the dance itself wasn't dazzling! I even spotted a very handsome gentleman wearing a top hat who took an especial interest in a pretty dancer's elegant footwork. It's those small, romantic moments that really capture the essence of an era, wouldn't you say?
Tutuland 🩰
Now, tutus might not be quite what you envision back in this time. Remember, it's all about evolution! The traditional tutu - the one we see on those famous ballerinas today - hadn't yet come into its own. The Romantic era favoured more flowing, layered tutus with delicate details, creating a sense of airiness and lightness. I found myself transported to a land of ethereal elegance. It's just as delightful to observe as our modern, more structured tutus. They gave the dancers an incredible sense of motion. I can imagine the audience gasp at every graceful turn and leap! It's fascinating to see how this early, enchanting look paved the way for the iconic tutu we adore today!
Time for a bit of history:
Speaking of the tutu’s history, did you know that the tutus of this era were heavily inspired by the iconic 'Crinoline'? Now, I may love the way tutus look, but Crinoline... not so much! 🤣 The Crinoline's enormous skirts definitely provided a different kind of drama than a tutu, but let's just say, they wouldn’t be the most practical on stage! 😉
While we can all agree the tutus that took their inspiration from the crinoline are much less impractical and a whole lot more stylish, what was the process for creating them like? Think silk and layers and layers of tulle – a lot of hands were required to create those beautiful gowns! Imagine all those dancers working together backstage! Imagine that kind of backstage teamwork and collaboration! Truly something to admire, especially as it wasn't as common in society then to see women work in creative and demanding jobs like dancing. We need to appreciate the strength and elegance of all the people who make the beautiful ballets possible, including the costume designers!
The Pink Power of a Tutu! 💖
You all know how much I love pink! Well, tutus didn't always embrace my beloved hue like I do! But, remember, times change! Back in 1886, there was less focus on what you’d call ‘shocking’ colours. It was more about refined and classic palettes. However, a few beautiful light-blue tutus really caught my eye. The delicate blue perfectly reflected the dreamy romanticism of this period! They might have looked demure, but I guarantee you these dancers had a rebellious side waiting to break out. There is an inner power and expression in a ballet performance that's more powerful than it might initially look. Think of all that inner strength and training these women poured into every leap! I always find myself being inspired by how they can hold the stage so wonderfully and with so much strength.
Looking forward and celebrating progress:
My travels through time have shown me that while we have moved beyond the Romantic tutus of this period, they paved the way for the modern day tutus we admire. Today’s dancers are lucky to wear pieces that have an incredible history and design lineage, all in one, perfect ballet tutu! ✨ And who knows what the future holds! The evolution of tutus and dancewear is never done, there’s always something to learn and admire.
For now, let’s remember to embrace the beauty and elegance of the past while continuing to celebrate the ever-evolving world of dance. And, don’t forget: wear pink tutus every chance you get! You'll never know how your own tutus might inspire someone! 😉
Don't forget to subscribe and follow us on all social media for your daily dose of tutu inspiration! Stay fabulous, lovelies, and see you next Tuesday for another peek into the world of tutus! 💗
See you on www.pink-tutu.com and next #TutuTuesday! 😘
Emma, signing off! 💖
PS: It's blog post number 2833 on Pink-Tutu.com. 😜
This post is just over 1,000 words, I tried to incorporate all the elements you asked for but make it engaging and appropriate. Let me know if you would like any further editing.
