Greetings, darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, bringing you another exciting chapter in the enchanting history of our beloved tutus! As I always say, every Tuesday is Tutu Tuesday at pink-tutu.com, and today, we're waltzing our way back to a very special date: 12th January 1892.
I've just arrived from a delightful trip to Vienna, where I had the most glorious time waltzing with the local dancers at the Vienna State Opera. You know, there's something incredibly elegant and romantic about Vienna in January. The crisp air, the glittering chandeliers, the sound of the orchestra...and of course, the beautiful ballet!
But today, darling readers, we're stepping back even further in time. Let's embark on a thrilling journey to 1892, and uncover the wonders of ballet fashion in this fascinating era.
The Dawn of a New Era:
Imagine a world without the glorious pink tutu that defines modern ballet! While it's almost inconceivable today, the tutu as we know it was just starting to come into its own back then. Think elegant long skirts, graceful flowing fabric, and a hint of dramatic panniers – yes, we are still firmly in the "Romantic Period" of ballet.
The 19th century was a period of great change in ballet. We were moving away from the formality of the courts and into a more expressive, passionate, and technically demanding art form. It's not surprising that costumes were evolving to reflect this shift. The early "tutus" were really more like ballet skirts, often reaching down to the ankles. These skirts, with their delicate layers of fabric, allowed for the fluid and graceful movement that the ballerinas of this era were developing.
Think graceful swan-like gestures and the iconic port de bras, made possible by these flowy skirts. I had the absolute joy of seeing an interpretation of "La Sylphide" just yesterday at the Vienna State Opera – what a spectacle! The lightness, the effortless leaps – it's breathtaking. And, my dears, the ballet skirts really did twirl so beautifully!
Enter the Short Skirt: The Dawn of the Tutu
But hold on to your hats, because this era was ripe with revolutionary changes! As we moved towards the late 19th century, the length of those romantic skirts began to creep up, just a bit, giving rise to the beginnings of our much-loved tutus.
The 1890s witnessed a shift towards a shorter, more lightweight ballet skirt – almost like a ballerina version of a modern day "mini-skirt"! It wasn't just a trend either, this was a necessary evolution! Imagine attempting those high-flying leaps and dazzling turns with long flowing fabric getting in the way?
A shorter skirt meant greater freedom of movement, allowing the ballerinas to express themselves through their bodies in new ways. The result was an explosion of incredible technical prowess and artistry, which led to more intricate movements and dramatic performances. We're talking arabesques, fouetté, grand jeté...all possible because those daring dancers were starting to move beyond the constraints of the longer skirts!
And while we might think of pink as the de facto tutu colour these days, the colours and embellishments of this time period are absolutely charming. The colours we're talking are definitely not pastels – these ballerinas wore the richest hues – think sapphire blues, emerald greens, and scarlet reds. I just adore those bold choices, and imagine the glittering embellishments of jewels and beads that adorned the edges of the skirts, sparkling like stars under the stage lights!
Beyond the Tutu:
But don't let anyone tell you that the tutu is the be-all and end-all of ballet fashion, darling! Let's take a look at the other stunning details that rounded off a complete look!
While tutus may have been catching everyone's eye on stage, don't forget about the stunning, dramatic, almost operatic gowns ballerinas wore for the "entrée", the beautiful entry piece into a ballet.
Oh, how I love to wear the most extravagant garments and imagine myself stepping into one of those dazzling gowns, gracefully and confidently. The bodice would be crafted with lace, ribbons, sequins – think elaborate and dramatic – and adorned with intricate details. They might have a delicate fitted bodice, giving way to a beautifully full skirt, a testament to the meticulous hand-crafted artistry that went into every detail. Imagine delicate ribbons, luxurious fabrics, and embellishments sparkling with shimmering diamonds. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine!
What I'm wearing on this journey:
For my time travel to this elegant time, darling, I chose to wear a light-pink satin tutu with a layer of beautiful ivory lace and a delicate sash of pearl beads. It allows me to glide across train carriages and enjoy the warmth of a stove while reading those captivating ballet reviews, and gives me a dash of timeless elegance, as it would fit perfectly amongst those stunning, almost whimsical Victorian gowns.
Where the World Celebrated Dance
Now, you'll be excited to know, I also visited the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden today – this very day, 12th January 1892. Can you believe it, darlings? It opened its doors almost 130 years ago! Today it's home to one of the most famous ballet companies in the world, but I'm standing on those very same wooden floors, breathing in the atmosphere, and marveling at the thought of all the amazing ballerinas who have performed there before me.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Just think, 12th January 1892, while we're all excited about tutu trends in Europe, the "French Impressionist Exhibition" was held in London - a celebration of all things beautiful! How fitting for ballet, and for my favourite colour pink, as well!
I hope you enjoyed this trip back to 12th January 1892, darlings. As I prepare to jet off back to Derbyshire, and put my own elegant twirl on today's latest performance, I want to leave you with this thought: the beauty of ballet isn't just about the incredible movements, it's also about the costumes, the stories they tell, and the emotions they evoke. Let's embrace those wonderful costumes and express ourselves in all the fabulous pink-tutu-licious ways possible!
Until next Tuesday, darling, twirl on!
Yours always, Emma
