Hello my gorgeous ballet lovers! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutus, especially on #TutuTuesday.
As a fellow Derbyshire lass, I can't tell you how delighted I am to be whisking you back to July 3rd, 1894. Imagine, my dears! The air is thick with the scent of summer blooms and the gentle whirring of steam trains taking us all to our next adventure. Now, this week, we're stepping back to the era of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, two of my all-time favourites, and their prima ballerinas , stars like the legendary Anna Pavlova.
This week's travel took me straight to the heart of Saint Petersburg. This incredible city feels like a fairytale and breathes romance into every corner, especially around the ballet scene.
You see, tutues in this era, oh my dears, were just the most stunning creations. While the Romantic era before this saw ballerinas with long, flowing tutus, by the Late 19th Century, they were becoming even more beautiful and daring.
They were constructed in several layers of tulle, and in the colours I adore! White, blush pink, oh the romanticism! The tutus would also have a decorative band around the waist and on the bodice making the design more structured than you see today.
It's fascinating how ballerinas in these times used their dress to create stunning illusions on stage. These tutus allowed for beautiful leg lines and movements with their airy weightless design.
And don't think it's all about the big stages! While opera houses are buzzing, let's not forget the Ballet Russes, which swept through Europe like a whirlwind, taking these magnificent tutued ballerinas with them, spreading their magic wherever they danced.
But for a proper insight into the lives of dancers in 1894, we have to get into the everyday routine. Let's face it, dancing takes dedication, darling! You've got to look good and dance with an air of elegance.
Just imagine. In the morning, there are the morning barre exercises at the dance studio, stretches and poses that take your breath away, and then rigorous rehearsal.
In the evenings, though, oh darling! You could go for a beautiful ride on the new horse-drawn carriages - imagine those gorgeous** horses - or maybe you fancy an afternoon tea with lacework gloves, of course ! Or, perhaps a little shopping on Nevsky Prospect!
But remember, we mustn't forget the fashion and *that quintessential detail - the ballerina hair. *
This era was about sleek up-dos , a perfect contrast to the airiness of the tutu, creating a look that is both elegant and powerful. I even spotted bows, ribbons, and tiny * * flowers interwoven within the hairstyles!
On a final note, darling, it's simply incredible to be living in an age where ballet is still appreciated. Even with the evolution of tutu styles, the joy of dancing remains a timeless art.
Well, that's it from me this week! Let me know your favourite historical tutu trends in the comments below. And until next Tuesday, darling, may all your tutus be as pink as your dreams!
