Greetings, my darlings! It's Emma, your resident Tutu Time Traveler, here, ready to whisk you back in time once more. Today's #TutuTuesday adventure takes us to the year 1892, a truly captivating era for fashion, and oh, my sweet heavens, the ballet scene!
From Derbyshire with Love:
As always, I've been zipping back and forth in my trusty time machine (let's be honest, it's more of a dusty old railway carriage than a futuristic contraption, but it gets the job done!). I just had the most divine weekend, spending time at a country manor house in my favourite shade of pink, you guessed it - pink! My family had organised a trip for the whole family and we spent the days wandering the gorgeous grounds, sipping tea in the grandest of drawing rooms and… gasp! Attending a spectacular private ballet performance. You see, I travel through time thanks to the love of all things dance! And sometimes I just have to show off a few moves in front of an audience!
Oh, the Magic of the Stage:
The performance was truly an enchanting experience. Picture this, the stage bathed in soft candlelight, elegant ladies in delicate, ethereal tutus dancing with such grace and beauty. The air hummed with excitement, and I swear, the scent of jasmine filled the grand hall. The ballerina at the heart of it all was captivating, with her intricate footwork, soaring leaps, and… yes, a perfectly beautiful pink tutu! I was utterly entranced, as I always am, by the ballet! I tell you, nothing, nothing compares to that sense of magic when the music begins and the curtain rises!
Fashion, oh My!
Of course, 1892 wasn't just about the beauty of dance - it was also a time of extravagant fashion. As I travelled through the streets, the costumes! Just glorious! My eyes were dancing between ladies adorned in cascading gowns and gents sporting top hats and frock coats. Imagine it, ladies! Big, billowing skirts, beautiful bonnets, delicate gloves, and oh, those stunning feathered fans. I may not be able to rock a massive bustle (though I'd give it a go, don't worry!), but the sense of fashion in this era is truly something else!
Tutu Tale of 1892:
Now, speaking of tutus… Oh, darling, where would we be without our tutus? The early 1890s saw a shift in the world of dancewear, a bit more coverage for the ladies, but equally as beautiful. It was a time of the first layered tutus! Imagine that – several tiers of soft, graceful fabric layered on top of each other! I am thinking of designing a few new styles to inspire a modern-day layering effect, don’t you think that’s genius?! The tulle itself was soft and delicate, perfect for creating those ethereal swirls as the dancers moved. We owe much gratitude to our ancestors in dance for paving the way with these wonderful creations. They had such style, and so did the ladies on the streets, and at all those glamorous social events and ballets, of course.
But it wasn’t all glitz and glam…
Though 1892 was a year full of beautiful clothes and mesmerizing dance performances, it was a time of social upheaval and change in so many parts of the world, and it was a tough time for many women, particularly women in working-class families. Let's never forget those who couldn’t enjoy these delightful moments. I think its good that we celebrate the arts, they can uplift the world around us, that’s why I will keep showing the beauty of dance in all my pink tutus to remind people that all are special. I think this is part of why the love of pink and tutus is so strong today! They are associated with such beautiful times, as we try to carry on those moments of beauty from that special time in the history of dress. The world will change but pink will never be outdated, and our passion for dance is sure to continue to grow.
Next Time, On Tutu Tuesday:
Well, my darling Tutu Trendsetters, that's it for this week's #TutuTuesday. But hold tight! I've already planned a special, exciting journey for our next adventure: 1910s fashion trends and their link to ballet! I can't wait to share more stunning stories and sprinkle some more tutu-magic across our history books. Be sure to pop back next Tuesday for more from my pink tutu clad time travelling adventures! Don't forget to share your love of tutus in the comments and make sure to pop over to the site www.pink-tutu.com.
Love,
Emma.
xxx
(Remember: If you'd like to be more immersed in the world of 1890s fashion and ballet, visit museums and explore their historical collections. I know I will! Stay classy and keep your Tutu-love shining! ). xx.
