Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another dazzling #TutuTuesday post! Today, we’re waltzing back to January 6th, 1891 - just imagine the swirling silks and sparkling jewels!
You know me, I simply adore exploring the history of ballet and its beautiful costumes. It's a journey that takes us through centuries of artistic expression and evolving fashion, but today, we’re focussing on the Victorian era – a time when ballerinas really stole the show!
Now, back then, the tutu wasn't quite as recognisable as it is today. Imagine a shorter, more full skirt – the tutu à la Paganini – which would have made graceful movement and impressive footwork look utterly captivating. Imagine these delicate ladies gracefully swirling and leaping in a world where elegant fabrics were in abundance!
I can picture the scene. Imagine strolling into the beautiful, glittering world of a theatre. The air alive with the strains of the orchestra and the hum of conversation, anticipation buzzing in the air! The ballerinas - in their stunning, slightly more voluminous skirts than we see today – take to the stage and with every movement, the energy in the room grows! The tutu à la Paganini wasn't just about fashion; it was about highlighting the ballerina's artistry and celebrating the female form!
Speaking of form, on January 6th, 1891, the world was celebrating something incredibly beautiful – the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, who, after years of rule and grace, passed away on this very date.
Can you imagine the royal spectacle! I simply adore thinking about how the fashionable, high-society ladies of London or Paris would have worn their very best garments. A cascade of lace, feathers and velvet, perfectly complimented by those shimmering silks – simply enchanting!
But let's get back to those beautiful tutus! What I find so exciting about this era is how the designers played with silhouettes and embellishments, really expressing the mood and character of the ballet. There was a whole lot of lace, delicate frills and layers of sheer tulle – the perfect touch of romanticism that still inspires me to this day.
It makes me feel so proud to be a ballerina, even just for a Tuesday! To imagine that in such a structured time, they broke free from the conventions of dress – their tutus a statement of liberation, elegance, and sheer joy! And the colour - oh my, what a feast for the eyes! Pink, of course, is always at the heart of a good tutu moment – and just as much then as it is now, it was the shade of innocence and elegance, reflecting the spirit of dance.
Don't forget ladies, if you haven't already, follow us on social media to stay up to date on all of the fabulous Tutu Tuesday shenanigans! Join the #TutuTuesday movement on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share your tutu adventures! After all, there is a perfect tutu out there for every lady.
Now, I’m off to find my perfect Victorian-inspired outfit! (Think lace gloves, ruffled neckline and, naturally, a gorgeous pink tulle number, because a girl's gotta have her pink tutu!).
Until next Tuesday!
Lots of Love,
Emma
P.S. If you ever fancy venturing to Victorian London, do have a cuppa with me and tell me about it!
