Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where the only thing sweeter than the sugar plum fairy is a beautiful tutu, and the only thing more thrilling than a grand jeté is a new dress! It's Emma here, your tutu-loving time-travelling blogger, and it's a gloriously bright #TutuTuesday. Buckle up, loves, because today we're venturing back to October 4th, 1898, a day that, surprisingly, has more in common with the world of ballet than you might think!
This week, I’ve been swirling around Parisian salons and London's West End. This year in London, they are showcasing "The Little Minister," *which I must say, has me dreaming of romantic Scottish landscapes! It was the opening night for *"The King" by Sarah Bernhardt. Sadly, this brilliant Parisian actress only made one trip to the Gaiety Theatre, I heard the critics were not too fond of the performance. Can you believe they had the audacity to find fault with this grand lady of the stage?! However, on the lighter side, the delightful little "Cinderella" pantomime, which is proving a hit this season with the children, opens this week at Drury Lane Theatre.
My friends, we must talk fashion. In the world of fashion, things are changing. The Edwardian era, my loves, is about to explode on the scene and with it comes a new love of frills and embellishments. Imagine this - bustles are fading away, waists are getting smaller and necklines are plunging lower. Can you picture a lovely lady gliding across the floor with a long, luxurious skirt gracefully brushing the floor with the slightest movement? This, my dears, is where my love of ballet and my love of fashion collide. These new designs offer a touch of drama and allure. It's exciting times!
Oh! Before I forget! On this very date, 1898, the **Queen herself - Queen Victoria - was enjoying the opera. Can you imagine the gowns and tiaras? Now that's a truly glamorous scene to be a part of! This proves that even royals like to enjoy a bit of theatricality, don't they?
Of course, while I'm thinking about these stunning, powerful ladies, I just have to tell you about what I saw during my time travel escapades today. The costumes in this era are really starting to mirror the dance itself! That is something truly beautiful and captivating. And even though this particular day was just about normal everyday life - there was the most magnificent ball happening tonight at the London Hotel, can you imagine that! Oh, the fashion, oh the* romance, the waltz of it all! *I definitely plan on being there tomorrow, **dressed in pink of course! Nothing else suits the joy of a waltz.
Speaking of romance, let's talk tutus. Back in this golden age of ballet, tutus are slowly getting shorter and lighter. Now, the ballerinas are gliding, dancing and leaping like ethereal butterflies! No longer bogged down by the weight of heavy fabric and long skirts! What a delight! It’s like watching the wings of a beautiful butterfly fluttering in the wind.
And while we're at it, let's not forget those wonderful tutus, those ethereal masterpieces. Now, while the dance world was taking leaps and bounds (both literally and figuratively), we must credit the dancers themselves for inspiring these new designs. Think about it - they are athletes, artists, and acrobats all in one! They need their costumes to move with them! And don’t they do it so beautifully?
My dear tutulettes, imagine a world where every ballerina is dancing in their own individual, vibrant colour! My personal favourite? Pink of course. But that’s my own taste! Perhaps you’d prefer a sky blue or a sunny yellow. Maybe a shade of midnight blue with sparkling crystals - oh, the possibilities are endless!
Don't be surprised, lovelies, to find tutus showing up on street style and even on the theatre stages. It’s just a sign that the beauty and elegance of ballet has captured the attention of the whole world. Oh, the joy! And when people tell me “it’s too much, too girly”, I always tell them “Life's too short not to twirl! “ And really, doesn’t a bit of colour make the world a more joyful place?
This week has given me plenty to think about! But one thing is clear - as we look back on the history of tutus, there's no end to how a tutu can inspire us. Be it through graceful movements, vibrant colours, or just pure joy, it always takes our breath away! I am simply living my dream here in this time period - surrounded by fashion, ballet and romance - with an entire wardrobe of pink tutus of course!
So what will your tutus inspire you to do? Share your tutu moments, thoughts, and fashion ideas in the comments below, loves. And of course, don’t forget to check out Pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for a new glimpse into the exciting world of #TutuTuesday !
Until next time, keep swirling, loves!
Love, Emma
P.S. Don't forget to join me in my tutu-loving community by signing up for my newsletter. And for a touch of extra twirling in your life, visit my Etsy shop - I'm stocking up on vintage tutus just for you, dear lovelies!
P.P.S. If you are travelling by train this week - remember a little bit of pink is always the answer! Maybe a little ribbon to tie in your hair - a pink feather boa for extra panache! If it's a long journey don’t forget to take a pair of dancing shoes, because a dance platform at the station is a sure sign that your pink tutu will be well received - why don’t you join me on the platform!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #PinkTutu #FashionHistory #VintageTutus #TrainTravel
