Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another instalment of #TutuTuesday! This week we're taking a trip back to the year 1900, to a time when the world of ballet was on the cusp of a transformative period!
Now, you all know my absolute favourite part of any ballet outfit is, of course, the tutu. It's the cherry on top, the exclamation point at the end of a perfect sentence. But back in the year 1900, tutus weren't quite the iconic, billowing masterpieces they are today. The turn of the century was all about classical Romanticism, and the "tutu" of the time was a long, flowing, almost Grecian in design, not the delicate layers we're used to seeing. They weren't quite as practical for leaping and twirling, but they did create an enchanting, ethereal aura, almost like wisps of cloud!
So, imagine it: the year 1900, London, and I, with my suitcase bursting with beautiful frocks and, naturally, a vibrant pink tutu! Just a little more pink in the world, never a bad thing!
After settling into my cozy Bloomsbury flat (so stylish, I just adore Victorian London!), I headed to the Covent Garden Theatre. Theyâd just had a very impressive opening night for a new production of Swan Lake! Now, this was just the beginning of a revolution in ballet.
Think Anna Pavlova, a tiny wisp of a woman, but a goddess on stage! She wasnât just about a single leap or graceful arabesque â she brought to the stage the full story, and you know how I adore stories, and that is what I do! She made each ballet, and especially Swan Lake, her very own, using the tutu as her canvas! She would make it swirl like the waves in the ocean and shimmer like the moon, simply mesmerising. And itâs all down to the beautiful tutus, I just know it!
And talking of fashion, can we talk about the sheer luxury and excitement of this time! Think Art Nouveau, all beautiful, flowing, floral patterns, it's a delight to the eyes! Velvet, silks, lace, oh my! The fashion of the time matched perfectly the delicate flow of the ballet costumes and the grand design of the theatres. It was an absolute ballet wonderland! You wouldn't believe how my lovely little pink tutu just sparkled amongst it all. Honestly, a ballerina's life in 1900 is a delightful dream.
But what was the actual date of our trip back in time? * Why, it's the *8th of May, 1900 of course! Letâs see what else was going on on this most beautiful of days. Can you believe it was the day of a historic train ride? The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway opened up the world for even more people, and this made me just so delighted, as I absolutely adore train travel! Youâd find me boarding those grand, old steam engines and travelling in style, admiring the scenery and writing in my little travel diary. And with each click of the train, the journey unfolds, just like a grand ballet production. I just love the elegance of steam trains and carriages! Just so wonderful!
But before my grand tour in the countryside, I spent the afternoon in London, shopping, naturally! Did I ever tell you about this incredible millinery shop called âMrs. Brownâs Bonnetsâ? Heavens above! It is simply bursting with creations from straw to feathers, it's enough to make even a simple girl like me want to become royalty for a day! It was a complete sensory delight, so much I could just sniff the loveliness, oh my! And I got a lovely pink bow for my tutu, what do you think?
And you know whatâs really exciting for me about this period? Itâs not just the gorgeous fashion and the graceful movement on stage. This is the very time where the first ballerinas began wearing pointe shoes! You wouldn't believe how itâs changed the style of ballet dancing and made things so much more elegant. I love watching the ballerinas, gliding and soaring on their delicate pointe shoes, such poise.
Of course, we mustnât forget the theatre! The sheer size, the beautiful decor! The London Palladium Theatre just opened and was considered to be one of the finest music halls of the Victorian era. But I can tell you that the magic is the same whether the lighting is electric or gas! Itâs about the way those wonderful theatre costumes swirl and spin on stage, a perfect backdrop for the dance that unfolds before my eyes.
I know what you are thinking; Pink is just the best color. So this trip made me realise just how Pink tutus would just look so enchanting on this lovely stage! You can just imagine the glorious impact of a vibrant, swirling pink tutu on that Victorian stage. The contrast, the impact, oh darling, I can see the crowds going wild with excitement!
I can't wait to hop on another time machine and see what the future of the tutu has in store! And you know whatâs next on the #PinkTutu time travelling list? Oh, a peek at the âThe Nutcrackerâ from 1892, in St. Petersburg⌠just a dream of an adventure. And a great opportunity to do a ballet show, my new favourite way of funding my adventures! I will definitely let you know all about it next week, on another episode of #TutuTuesday, and I can't wait to show you whatâs in my suitcase next!
Until then, wear your favourite pink outfit, keep your tutus close, and always remember that you can twirl into any adventure with a smile.
Yours in pink, Emma xx
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