Bonjour from your favourite pink-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma! 🩰💖 Today's Tutu Tuesday whisks us back to a wonderfully glamorous era, 1891 to be exact! Imagine gaslight-lit streets, grand theatres bursting with life, and a society captivated by the grace and elegance of the ballet. And of course, what would a ballet performance be without a perfectly poised tutu?
Now, dear readers, you might be surprised to learn that tutus haven't always been the whimsical, airy masterpieces they are today! The 1890s were a fascinating time for ballet tutus. We're not talking about those impossibly billowing, multi-layered numbers you might see on a prima ballerina these days. In the Victorian era, the tutu, believe it or not, was quite practical! It was often a simple, knee-length skirt of white tulle, just short enough for pirouettes and leaps. Can you imagine that? The tutu's primary function was to reveal the dancers' beautiful limbs in motion, highlighting their strength and elegance.
And can you imagine how excited I would have been to attend a ballet in 1891! The grandeur of those Victorian theatres, the gaslight-lit stage, and the shimmering gowns worn by the audience – absolute perfection. In my dream world, I’d have been sitting in a plush box, wearing a shimmering pink satin gown with an equally splendid pink tutu (it is, after all, the only colour worthy of such elegance).
And what would be happening on the stage on February 10th 1891? Sadly, there are very few documented records of performances from this time. There’s the tantalizing possibility, however, of a performance at Covent Garden. My research suggests they had a magnificent production of the "La Bayadère," which premiered in 1877. It's the most famous ballet at that time, with its beautiful, romantic storyline and enchanting music, I’d have been utterly captivated by the story.
In fact, a ballet performance would have been my ideal way to explore 1891! My travel budget (funded by my performances in modern day, darling!), allows me a maximum of three nights in the past this time around. I’m tempted to find a train to London, stay at one of those gorgeous grand Victorian hotels, and spend the rest of my time catching as many ballet performances as I can! I'd want to soak up the atmosphere of a ballet show at that time – the costumes, the decor, and most importantly, the dance itself! The choreography, the movements, and the style of ballet in those days... oh darling, I imagine it would be simply heavenly!
Of course, with no time to waste, my main mission, as ever, would be shopping. You see, a big difference in 1891 was the lack of tutus in stores like you have in the present day. There weren’t stores overflowing with gorgeous ballet clothing. If I wanted to have the most amazing tutu, I'd have to visit the tailors in London – it was a luxury item back then, bespoke for the lucky dancers of the time. I imagine those shops would be a feast for my eyes – a plethora of colours, fabrics, and trims, oh I just know I’d be spending hours picking out the perfect shade of pink. I can practically hear the tailors' shears snipping away, shaping the perfect skirt. They would say they’d never had a customer as specific as me – but it would be a joy to share my vision of tutus with those 19th century masters!
So, what’s my verdict on tutus of 1891? As much as I adore the voluminous, twirling, glorious modern versions, the practicality of 1891 tutus speaks to my heart. After all, who wouldn't want a skirt that allows for graceful movement? Imagine a simple white tulle skirt – a little on the shorter side perhaps, with a dash of lace at the bottom – perfect for twirls and arabesques. Perhaps just a little too short for modern day, but for the era, absolutely perfect!
Stay tuned, darling readers, as next week's Tutu Tuesday will be even more delightful! Let me know what you think about my blog post – drop me a line in the comments! You can find me on Instagram too, where I am @PinkTutuBallerina. I can't wait to hear what you all think!
See you all next Tuesday! 💖
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
