Hello, darling readers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, back with another edition of your favourite #TutuTuesday blog! I'm so excited to share some of the tutu-tastic history I've unearthed on my latest adventure, straight from the Victorian era itself! I've arrived, as always, on the ever-fabulous 25th December - you know, Christmas Day! This blog is number 2974 on my website www.pink-tutu.com. So pour yourselves a cuppa, snuggle up, and get ready to dive into some fascinating tutu history.
I'm whisked around the world thanks to my ballet performances. I use the money I make dancing to fund my travelling through time. This week, my time machine took me all the way back to December 1888, right here in the heart of London. Imagine, cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and a real sense of Christmas magic swirling in the air! 🎄
Now, you might be surprised to hear this, but tutus back in 1888 were still quite a new fashion! In fact, the first real tutu – what we would now consider the classic, knee-length design – was only a few decades old, created in the 1840s by Marie Taglioni, the iconic ballerina who pretty much set the standard for graceful and elegant movement. It was revolutionary, ditching the restrictive corseted gowns of previous years for something light and airy, which enabled the dancers to show off their movements with newfound freedom. Imagine that!
Just like me, it was all about comfort and looking fabulous at the same time. Now, my tutus are, of course, fabulously pink! I think a pink tutu makes everyone look wonderful - from young ballerinas, to older ballerinas, to people who don't even dance! I like to show that pink is for everyone. The perfect tutu adds a little bit of magic to your life, darling!
But, back in 1888, tutus were predominantly white, crafted from delicate layers of tulle. Oh, the possibilities! Think layers upon layers of delicate white tulle, swirling around like a cloud, creating that iconic shape! I have to admit, white looks lovely and is the traditional color of the tutu. But, it's not as wonderfully pretty as pink, of course! They did sometimes venture into other shades, like blush pinks or even a pale yellow, but white was truly the reigning colour.
My trip in time was wonderfully educational, I saw all sorts of tutus! Ballet was a beloved art form and the excitement and energy at the theatre was simply intoxicating. The most sought-after ballet performances in London were the shows put on by the Royal Opera House, where they showcased their exquisite talent and amazing dancing - you should have seen those tutus twirling on the stage, such pure, unadulterated delight!
Speaking of December 1888, the biggest theatrical sensation that season was the performance of "The Nutcracker." Oh my, the tutus in "The Nutcracker" - a symphony of glittering white tulle and beautifully executed movements. It truly felt magical! There were tutus galore in "The Nutcracker," not just the Snow Queen, but the "Sugarplum Fairy" and all the dancers in the "Land of Sweets" had those fluffy tutus – I can just imagine them twirling! And the music! It's pure magic - if you get the chance to see a live performance of "The Nutcracker" – do it, it’s truly special, and of course, those tutus are to die for!
Another reason I love the 25th December is, of course, Christmas! Being from Derbyshire, England, Christmas traditions were a very important part of our culture. Even in 1888. Even when I was young, back in Derbyshire, I always knew this date would mean festive food, games, family gatherings, and presents. This year, we decorated our family's tree with real holly, fragrant pine branches and delicate ornaments made from frosted glass. My Mother's cranberry sauce was always divine and her Christmas pudding, even though a little heavy, is the highlight of the day! We also enjoyed delicious roast turkey with gravy, stuffing and roast potatoes and my favourite Christmas delicacy - Christmas crackers. A whole load of treats for Christmas dinner! We then went out walking for a walk in the country. This was especially lovely as Derbyshire was draped in white! A stunning winter scene! The snow just enhanced the magic of Christmas Day, adding sparkle to the already festive feel of the day. I do enjoy my festive home!
You see, back then, in Victorian England, Christmas was celebrated a little differently to today. Families embraced a Victorian-style celebration, and a wonderful festive tradition that's sadly gone by the wayside is the sending of Christmas cards. We filled our family sitting room with the cards we received, and I can't even begin to describe the sheer artistry that went into each and every one of those cards - truly exquisite! And how did the Victorians celebrate Christmas? They feasted, shared stories, enjoyed carols sung by neighbours in the local pub or churches and decorated their houses with traditional holly and ivy. It was a truly enchanting experience!
There is one last reason that I absolutely adore the Victorian era - that is the beauty and artistry of fashion! From the graceful elegance of full-length skirts to intricate corsetry and elaborate hats - what a time to be a woman, and to appreciate the incredible detail and effort that went into dressing up. Even if, in some ways, it seems quite restricting, it was all about grace and elegance. I know what you’re thinking. As for me, I love the way that Victorians combined the everyday outfits with decorative detail. I really admire this kind of beauty. I loved Victorian fashion with a deep, deep passion! I’ve bought lots of hats for my time travels! It was always amazing to look at people’s hats – I have lots in my time machine now – ready to use them as accessories for my photos!
I’ll confess to you - it's always been a passion of mine to try and travel to times gone by! But, I always remember where I came from. Derbyshire has always been very important to me, especially for the traditional Christmas. And my ballet, my career! What’s the one thing I enjoy more than traveling and seeing the history of the tutu, and going on trips to the ballet? That's right, wearing my own tutu!
After this Christmas week of adventures, I will return home for some more rehearsals and performance dates for my own dance routines. Then, back in my pink tutu, ready for the next week, and the next TutuTuesday. And remember, as always: Don't be afraid to dance, be fabulous, be unique and remember, it's always time to wear a tutu, wherever you are! See you next week!
