Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, and I'm back with another instalment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! 🩰💖
Today I'm waltzing back to the year 1892! Oh, it's such a vibrant time for ballet, full of grace and elegance, and tutus are having a moment! You wouldn't believe the excitement in the air. The London ballet scene is simply buzzing! ✨
Before I tell you all about it, I simply must share my outfit for today. You see, darling, I adore vintage style. And what could be more appropriate than a slightly less fluffy, but still utterly divine, blush pink tutu inspired by the fashions of the late Victorian era? Picture, if you will, layers of delicate tulle, just whispering against my skin, cascading in the most romantic manner. The bodice is adorned with a smattering of the prettiest silk ribbon bows, and a cascade of ruffles frames my neckline. Honestly, I could pirouette all day in this beauty!
But now, onto the magic of 1892! I hopped off the train at Euston, darling, and I was immediately swept into a whirlwind of fashionable frenzy. All the elegant ladies of London were sporting the latest fashions, their dresses sporting those fabulous bustles! Oh, how I yearn for a time when people truly took the time to dress for every occasion! The very air vibrates with an almost palpable sense of elegance. It's like a whole society knows how to create a spectacle.
As always, my mission for my historical excursions is to find out what's happening with tutus! Let me tell you, they are all the rage! It seems every ballerine worthy of her salt is demanding a bespoke, perfectly crafted tutu. You wouldn't believe the variety of tulle, from the classic shimmering silk to the sheerest, most delicate of laces! Oh, it makes my inner fashionista swoon.
One of the things that truly makes 1892 special is that everyone loves ballet! From the grandest of theaters to the intimate performance spaces nestled away in side streets, every corner is buzzing with ballets and ballets and more ballets. The excitement of ballet permeates the very atmosphere.
One of the shows I saw last night, 'Giselle', featured one of the most magnificent tutus I've ever laid eyes on. Imagine a cloud of ivory, layered so exquisitely that it practically defied gravity. It looked as if it was made of pure air and light. Oh, my! And the way it danced, shimmering with every turn, it was truly a dream!
This morning I was thrilled to stumble upon a little millinery shop crammed with the most stunning array of feathers. Oh, you know how I love feathers. And how about those hats! Picture a parade of incredible feathered concoctions. Simply astounding. I simply must try my hand at making some myself when I get back to the future. The fashion scene is certainly inspiring!
To truly immerse myself in this glorious world, I spent this afternoon at a ballet class in a wonderfully old and grand theatre. A lovely group of young ladies with dreams in their eyes, striving for excellence in the delicate art of ballet. Oh, I tell you, they're all about to reach incredible heights. The joy and passion they exude simply fills me with hope and wonder. And those tutus? My darling, their elegance is unparalleled!
You know me, darling, always seeking to discover the origins of everything tutu. In the 19th century, tutus were evolving, moving away from the frills of earlier designs, becoming simpler, emphasizing the line and elegance of the dancer.
I can't believe how much time I spent wandering through the ballet-related shops! Such beautiful garments – and shoes! Oh, my darling, those dancing slippers are so stylish! And then the satin ribbons, the velvet sashes, the intricate boning, every single detail thoughtfully chosen. Truly a masterpiece in every respect. I even acquired a beautiful old book of ballet dance designs. There’s one exquisite dance where they carry fans. Oh, such loveliness! I just wish we could all go dancing right now!
So much has been happening here in this time, darling, I simply have to write to you about the wonderful ballet I witnessed on the 24th of May! A truly special night at the theater, you can feel it in the air, oh, my, the romance, the emotion! It's like they are right there with you, the stories are coming alive on stage. The drama! The tragedy! I felt as if I was right there with them.
For today, I'm leaving you to marvel at this fantastic tutu story. Remember, lovelies, if there's any chance you find yourself near London, do take in a ballet. It's a truly wondrous experience. Oh, and don't forget to put on a pink tutu. You never know who you might meet. 💖
See you next Tuesday, lovelies, for more tutu adventures!
Stay elegant!
Your ever-fashionable Emma, www.pink-tutu.com
