Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another #TutuTuesday. It’s your girl Emma, back from a whirlwind trip through time (as always, funded by the fabulous performances of some utterly divine dancers!). And, oh my, this trip has really had me dancing with excitement!
This week, we’re waltzing our way back to 1888, darling! This year, the stage was positively ablaze with the French Belle Époque. Think luxurious salons overflowing with velvet and feathers, gilded ballrooms, and ladies decked out in dreamy gowns that practically shimmered. Talk about fashion goals!
But before we step onto the Parisian scene, let's talk tutus! In 1888, the tutu was already a favourite with the ballerinas! Just think: the delicate layers of tulle, swirling and twirling with every graceful step, all with that effortlessly feminine charm! Honestly, I wouldn’t dream of doing a pirouette without my favourite pink tutu, and neither would the ballerinas of 1888.
So what’s making the news on February 7th, 1888? Why, Queen Victoria, of course, she of the incredible fashion sense and Queen of Britain for over 50 years!
She was quite a stylish figure! In fact, some might say that her sartorial choices made a lasting impact on Victorian era style, much like my little pink tutu blog has, well, meant the world to your fashionable tutu loving soul! But enough about me…
What would a royal, nay a Queen, be doing on 7th February you ask? Let’s rewind to 1888: the world was abuzz with excitement. Not just about dancing, darling! (Though, that was surely exciting as ever). No, the royal household itself was bustling, preparing for the much anticipated arrival of Grand Duchess Victoria, the daughter of the Czar of Russia!
She arrived at the Windsor Castle in a whirl of feathers, fur and fabulousness - I can practically smell the elegant aromas of their Parisian perfume - and you just know there was an incredible display of jewellery. You can see why this week’s #TutuTuesday would be bursting with excitement for the era of the grandest royal gathering of 1888! The arrival of such a distinguished guest in London - imagine, the queen greeting a princess! Just like you would see the grand entrance of a ballerina! The queen and princess must have surely inspired the Parisian designers!
Speaking of dancers!
1888 also witnessed a significant development in ballet technique, you see. This year, Marius Petipa, a man who could turn a simple pirouette into a symphony of steps, was crafting one of the greatest masterpieces in ballet - The Sleeping Beauty.
His ballerinas graced the stage, enchanting audiences with their artistry. While The Sleeping Beauty wasn’t yet making its debut this February ( it premiered in 1890!), a whirlwind of rehearsals for a most captivating ballet was taking place behind the stage doors. It's not hard to imagine those dancers, twirling and twirling in their lovely, dreamy tutus. The Parisian Ballet scene of this time would be a delightful experience, if I were to be completely honest.
Back to that 7th of February in 1888, though: this day was the occasion for a special performance by The Alhambra. The Alhambra was one of the most popular dance and music hall venues in Victorian London, full of dazzling entertainment. Their stage was filled with glamorous performers who took the London society by storm - and we must absolutely adore how exciting the atmosphere would have been!
Did you know that The Alhambra hosted its first dance show in 1858, when tutus first burst onto the London stage? * So, you can just imagine the impact! Think *Dancing with the Stars, only in Victorian times. And those dance halls… why, *those costumes *could have been straight out of a tutu-loving fashionista’s dream!
You're telling me we wouldn’t have worn a tutu to the Alhambra, or for a Royal Ball? My dears, there’s just something about the elegance of tulle that screams *"a grand occasion!" *
Speaking of elegance, 1888 saw a wave of changes in dance styles!
Ballet, dear readers, was undergoing a delightful metamorphosis – and you can bet the most exquisite, feminine, delicate tutu designs were part of this evolution! Imagine the lovely en pointe turns and effortless pirouettes! The romantic flair of the waltz demanding* an elegant, dreamy *tutu as the signature piece for any *true ballet dancer.
My tutu history blog has one main purpose: to convince the whole world that the ballet tutu is a symbol of sheer loveliness, an ultimate representation of grace, and a magnificent accessory for anyone * who dares to dance through life, darling!*
And this February 7th 1888 marks *a year of extraordinary elegance! * Can you tell, I'm utterly *fascinated by this* time?
I’d better rush off and prepare my own glamorous ballet outfit (it goes without saying I'll wear my favourite pink tutu!), because my next trip back in time is for another fantastic ballet show. Oh, this journey through time is simply a must for any lover of dance! And if there’s anything you must *always remember* when traveling back in time, darling, it’s that tutus * will *forever be en vogue.
Stay stylish,
Emma. 💕
TutuTuesday PinkTutu BalletHistory VictorianFashion 1888 Alhambra Dance London TimeTravel QueenVictoria BalletHistory*This is just the start! There is so much more that can be added for this #TutuTuesday blog on the theme of *Ballet Tutus. **
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