#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1891-05-19

Hello, lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another whirl through the history of tutus! This Tuesday, I'm waltzing us back to the 19th century - the 19th of May 1891, to be precise!

This particular Tuesday found me hopping off a train at Charing Cross Station, London, and into a whirlwind of Edwardian charm. Oh, how I love the Victorian era! It's all gaslight and carriages, elegant ladies in long, flowing dresses, and of course, ballet! The Royal Opera House was all the rage, you know, and the darling M. Marius Petipa was crafting the most glorious ballets – even more decadent than the tea salons I sampled in Kensington!

Speaking of tea, dear readers, the fashion of the day was practically screaming for a tutu revival! Imagine layers of frills and bustles, a rainbow of colours, all perfectly corseted to the point that one needed an afternoon tea just to stand up! The whole fashion scene, frankly, needed a good dose of "lightness" – and where better to find that lightness than in the ethereal movement of the ballerina's skirt?

Now, while tutus weren't quite the popular everyday fashion item that they are now, a little piece of ballet was certainly making its way into society! Imagine a dance in a ballroom, a delicate tulle skirt cascading as you spin around your handsome partner, or a little "twirl" of your skirts to display your fashionable new slippers. This era, darling, was the perfect backdrop for a subtle tutu rebellion – one twirling frock at a time!

This week's date marks the opening night of the Russian Ballet's triumphant arrival at London's Covent Garden. Yes, darling, imagine the thrill! These fabulous dancers, in their stunning, billowing tutus, swept the audience off their feet with a performance of Le Lac des Cygnes (Swan Lake) – a veritable masterpiece that remains one of my all-time favourite ballets even today!

Let me tell you, it was enough to send any ballerina into a twirling frenzy!

I imagine myself on that very stage – a wave of pink tulle around me as I danced a delicate pas de deux. The stage lights, the smell of greasepaint, the excited whispers from the audience – it's the dream! Oh, how I love a good performance!

But don't think for a minute that my tutu-love ended at the theatre! Even back then, I spotted some darling "tutu-inspired" outfits popping up in shops - a little touch of tulle peeking out from beneath the fashionable lace and ruffles of a lady's evening attire. It was a clear indication that ballet’s graceful silhouette was being embraced even beyond the stage!

Speaking of "grace," how about this delightful bit of history? On this very date, in 1891, a woman named Amelia Dyer, "Nurse" Dyer to her less astute victims, was arrested. And guess what, dear readers? She had just found her "calling" - a delightful, profitable business in the baby trade! (Please, don’t ever let someone like that call you "nurse!" )

A good nurse should be graceful in their care. That’s the key – they should dance gracefully into a sick child’s room with gentle smiles. But "Nurse" Dyer, unfortunately, was not the most gracious "nurse". She ended up with the uncomplimentary title of “Angel Maker," because sadly, most of her little charges ended up not as healthy little darlings. She got caught because some unfortunate parents found out where she'd sent their little “sick" baby. The details, darlings, are...not good, but the point is, it is more graceful to get your "care" from someone nice. So keep this in mind - the graceful care of a proper nurse is worth the price!

So there you have it, my loves! Another peek into the fascinating world of ballet history! Let me know what you think! Remember, darling, to keep the "grace" flowing in your life!

Keep those tutus twirling,

Emma

P.S. Don’t forget to visit the pink-tutu website every Tuesday for a brand new #TutuTuesday blog post! Remember to use the hashtag #TutuTuesday when you post about your favourite tutu! I would love to see how you are using tutus in your life! And be sure to let me know what tutu trends you’d like to know more about!

Emma is a Derbyshire born dancer and travel blogger obsessed with everything ballet and tutus. She has always been fascinated by ballet history, particularly the fashion. Through ballet performances, she travels through time to bring the stories of dance history alive and spread her pink tutu joy!

The Pink Tutu website brings you weekly blog posts featuring ballet, history, travel, and fashion with a charming twist. Join Emma for a twirling adventure with historical tidbits, fashion inspiration and fun photos every Tuesday for a touch of pink-tutu charm in your day!