Helloooo lovelies!
Welcome back to another installment of #TutuTuesday, where we travel through time, one tulle-filled step at a time, discovering the fabulous history of ballet and the magical tutus that have adorned ballerinas for centuries! 💖 Today we're whisking ourselves back to a most exciting period - January 24th, 1899, the very brink of the 20th century! We’re standing on the cusp of a new era, a time of remarkable innovation and creativity in the world of ballet. This post is my 3500th post - that’s quite a lot of tulle! 🎉
Just Imagine! A world without mobile phones, laptops or even cars! It’s hard to believe now, but just before the turn of the century, it was a very different world indeed. But what did people do for entertainment? The answer was – the theatre! Imagine yourself in London, sitting in the glittering stalls at the Royal Opera House or maybe enjoying a lively show in Paris. The air would be buzzing with anticipation, and the theatre itself would be buzzing with the thrill of an evening of ballet. What's the first thing you see when the curtains rise? That's right! The divine tulle! And if you are a ballerina, it's that perfect tulle that brings all the magic to life on stage! ✨💖
London's Buzz! I am so lucky that my time travels landed me here. January 24th, 1899, in London - a place where the world of theatre was pulsating with life! You'd have been able to catch some amazing ballets at the Covent Garden, London’s iconic opera house! I love to imagine the elegant ballerinas pirouetting gracefully in their delicate tulle tutus, the stage ablaze with the shimmering glow of the spotlight. It’s enough to make me want to pull on my pink tutu and twirl right here, right now! 💕
So let’s get down to details. Did you know that tutus didn't always have the big, fluffy skirts we see today? Well, in this era, the "tutu" as we know it is definitely not what you might find in a traditional Russian ballet performance, it's the elegant romantic style tutu! Imagine long flowing skirts that sweep gracefully as the dancers move - truly captivating. There were many innovations in ballet design that began around this time. For instance, they began making tutus using lightweight fabrics, such as silk or gauze, that moved effortlessly. Can you imagine? Imagine having your own personal magic carpet ride every time you went on stage! ☁️
It was a time of real evolution in fashion. Women's fashion at this time was so elaborate and enchanting - from the billowing crinolines to the exquisitely trimmed hats. It's no wonder that the era saw such a surge of innovation in ballet design. They took this Victorian fascination with layers, draping and embellishment and adapted it to make the most graceful and dramatic dance costumes.
Shopping on Oxford Street! I’ve found a great vintage store here - a truly beautiful store on the gorgeous Oxford Street that just so happens to be crammed with fabulous frilly lace trimmings and elegant silk ribbons, and oh, those magnificent silks, all perfect for embellishing your very own tutu! 🛍 London truly was the epicentre of elegance! This is my kind of place! 🤩
And what’s even more exciting – in this era, it wasn’t only the stage where the love of dance and tulle spread like wildfire. Even outside of the theatre, women loved to wear light and airy, pretty dresses for afternoon strolls in the parks, to lavish afternoon teas, and for visits to the many theatres and concert halls across London! It seems, my friends, we have found our roots! 🌸
Traveling with Elegance. My travels, while a whirlwind of tulle and beautiful dresses, is not without it’s little hiccups. I often have to get about the countryside to find inspiration, often jumping between towns like Derby, Sheffield and, of course, London! To find my way about the country, I have to find ways to travel with my little (and often huge!) array of tulle, silk and dresses - this is the tricky part of travelling back in time. I have found the steam train a marvel to get to the places I need to visit for inspiration and fashion! They really do make traveling in style possible, so there I sit amongst the lace, a ballet dancer heading off to her next venture to explore the wonders of tulle and theatre! 🚄
Now, back to our journey! So, imagine me stepping onto the train. My bright pink tutu billowing behind me, my eyes shining with excitement for the day’s adventure! It’s a glorious time to be alive, and let me tell you - it's one that every ballet-loving, tulle-adorned woman dreams of!💖
Oh my lovelies, this blog is already getting a bit long for me! Don’t forget to tag me #TutuTuesday.
I do hope you loved travelling with me back in time today. See you all next week for more tulle and travel, darlings! 💖
XOXO,
*Emma *
* www.pink-tutu.com*
Follow me on Instagram at @Pink_Tutu
