Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back again with another journey into the fascinating history of our beloved tutu! Today, we're hopping on the time-train (always the first class carriage, darling!) to January 27th, 1891, and trust me, it's going to be a grand adventure!
Firstly, let's talk about this glorious day itself! What a lovely date to be experiencing, and what a time to be alive! In Paris, the world's fashion capital, the chicest ladies were donning extravagant ball gowns and the finest jewellery. Just picture a gentleman in a tailscoat offering you a cup of tea in a grand salon, and a delicious symphony playing in the background... the height of elegance! But for me, I’d be dashing to the ballet.
Back in 1891, tutus were definitely having their moment in the spotlight. They were no longer just about practicality - though they certainly still provided the perfect swirl and twirl! The tutu of this era had evolved, embracing an era of opulent elegance and drama. The classic romantic tutu with its delicate layers was still going strong. Imagine, you know, the lightness and floatiness of the skirt, so perfect for those graceful leaps and twirls!
This was the golden age of Russian Ballet, and the likes of the legendary Marius Petipa were creating ballet masterpieces. Ballet, even back then, was just so theatrical! The costumes reflected that. You'd see a mixture of romantic, romantic and longer tutus.
Here in London, we’re not so much behind Paris when it comes to fashion. We may have different trends, but London was known for its love of theatrical shows, including, of course, the ballet. The theatres were a great place to see the latest trends in both clothing and the newest ballets! The theatre provided such a brilliant setting to witness these exquisite pieces and the beautiful ballerinas performing in them! A lovely Parisian inspired frock might cost you a whole week's pay, but the thrill of witnessing a great ballet, with such grand costumes and beautiful dancers, oh, that was truly a sight worth seeing!
So, how exactly did I end up in 1891? Well, you know me - a bit obsessed with tutus! A while back, I discovered a dusty old scrapbook hidden away in a dusty old library in my beloved Derbyshire, where I’m from, and it contained all sorts of tantalising information on 19th-century ballet. You could almost feel the scent of sawdust and greasepaint when you opened it. Anyway, as I flipped through the pages and admired the illustrations of graceful ballerinas in all sorts of tutus, I suddenly felt an electrical tingle - the familiar sensation that signaled time travel was about to occur! A moment later, woosh, there I was, surrounded by horse-drawn carriages, gas lamps, and gentlemen sporting splendid moustaches, all decked out in elegant top hats. The adventure was ready to begin!
Of course, being a well-prepared time traveler, I always carry a stash of travel essentials! A gorgeous vintage shawl, a travel journal for all my observations, a map of London in 1891 - the real highlight - and, of course, my trusty travel pink tutu. Let me tell you, a pink tutu, regardless of time, never goes out of style!
Being a tutu historian, naturally my main concern is always finding the nearest dance studio! So off I went, searching the streets of London for a dance school or a theatrical house, and as luck would have it, I stumbled upon the famous Drury Lane Theatre! Now, this iconic theatre has a long history dating back to the 17th century, and was, at that time, a thriving hub of entertainment. Imagine being able to see the finest performances! So naturally, I headed straight in to soak up all the drama and beauty of this historical gem!
And let me tell you, the ballet world back then was something else! The theatre, decorated in a refined grandeur, felt like a royal ballroom filled with gorgeous costumes and the glamour of the theatre. On stage, ballerinas gracefully glided, pirouetted, and danced like delicate butterflies, their romantic tutus a testament to the elegance of that period.
But what really impressed me were the rehearsals! In those rehearsals, ballerinas moved around in simpler costumes. The focus was all on technique, movement, and of course, those fabulous tutu shapes. It reminded me, sometimes the beauty of the ballet comes from the simple, yet effective!
After a rather spirited chat with some charming gentlemen, and a few quick notes in my journal - I am always very organized, darling - I took a walk along the river Thames. Just picturing it now! The gentle chatter, the rumble of the Thames barges, and a touch of London fog to give the scene an extra layer of mystery... But my focus quickly turned back to my next step. You see, I couldn’t visit London in 1891 without a visit to the renowned Covent Garden!
This is where, in 1732, Covent Garden Opera House opened its doors. Even in 1891 it was considered a significant and prestigious landmark in the heart of London. It represented the pinnacle of opera, music, and artistic expression! It was quite a treat to simply gaze at the exterior of this glorious, historically significant venue and to take a moment to soak in its grand charm! After a short visit to a fashionable shop to look for some lovely lace and ribbons for my tutu collection, I knew I simply had to stop at a charming cafe. What is a day out without a bit of refreshment, isn’t that right, dears?
I savoured a cup of warm tea and a delicious pastry in the cozy, welcoming space, watching the people bustling around the streets. It was here, over a pot of English Breakfast, I started to think, what could be the best place to find the best vintage tutus! But what was an 1891 vintage tutu?
You know, this is always a challenge for me when travelling in time, my passion for vintage ballet costumes can be quite a challenge to navigate.
Suddenly I spotted a sign that announced "Costumer!" It felt as though the sign had called to me, like a little time-traveling sign! I was off down an alleyway - all the best vintage fashion discoveries can be found in these alleyways - and, a few moments later, I was stepping into the wonder that was Mr. Finnegan's Costume Emporium. Oh my, it was a sight for sore eyes, dears. Everything was organized in a rather flamboyant yet delightful way. Mr. Finnegan himself, sporting a handlebar moustache and a twinkle in his eye, looked at me as though I was from another time... which I technically am, darling! "Good morning, ma'am! What can I help you with?"
"I'm looking for something, Mr. Finnegan," I started, "Something that has both history and glamour, something like a dance costume..."
As if by magic, he pointed his well- manicured hand towards a corner of the shop! "Over there, ma'am!" I went rushing over, my pink tutu trailing behind me like a long pink ribbon, ready to find the treasure.
And it was a treasure, no doubt! This beautiful, yet modest and romantic-looking ballet dress had everything! A light chiffon skirt with beautiful layers, and adorned with exquisite embroidery and embellishment. I'd have to add some beautiful handmade ribbon! As I carefully picked it up and caressed the fine material, I felt as though I’d found something from a vintage fairy tale, just waiting to be worn once more.
Mr. Finnegan and I had a long chat - you’d think we’d been acquainted for years! I loved talking to him, especially when he’d reminisced about ballet history and how times had changed! Then came the inevitable - “Just a few more minutes, darling!" And in that instant, as I took my final steps from the Emporium, the familiar tingling sensation came upon me, and the familiar time-travel sensation whisked me back to the familiar surroundings of my own time!
Well, dears, I hope you've enjoyed this little peek into the ballet history of 1891! Don't forget, a pink tutu, it goes everywhere, even to the past! Now, you've probably already thought of it before I’ve even mentioned it, so let's go for a pink tutu and an impromptu dance, shall we? I know you can’t help yourself. The urge to swirl is all but inevitable, isn’t it, darling? Until next Tuesday, lovelies!
Love, Emma.
