Hello, lovelies! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another delightful journey through the glorious history of our beloved ballet tutus! Today, we're stepping back in time to the year 1902, a time when the dance world was alive with innovation and change.
I arrived in London, a veritable hub of theatre and fashion, by the grand old steam train, my bright pink tutu bouncing merrily as the engine chugged and chuffed. Itâs such an incredible thing, this train journey! It lets me soak in the sights and sounds of the era - the horse-drawn carriages, the bustle of the markets, the ladies all decked out in their bonnets and coats - so elegant! And itâs such fun to get those side glances - âIs she one of the ballerinas?â whispers one well-dressed gentleman. * * blush It's always nice to know the pink tutu makes a statement!
Today marks the 120th anniversary of the worldâs first âSwan Lakeâ premiere, a ballet that would leave its own lasting legacy, not just in the dance world, but also in the history of the tutu.
Oh, wouldnât it have been divine to see it? Just imagine! Anna Pavlova in that ethereal white tutu, her graceful movements so expressive! The Swan Lake choreography revolutionized ballet - those flowing movements, the drama, the heartbreak! Imagine trying to wear such a short tutu for that amount of dancing! A truly astonishing sight, wouldnât you say?
I have to confess - back then, it wasnât as simple as slipping on a quick-fix costume to take the stage. Oh no, no! This ballet was designed to feature some of the most spectacular tutus of the period, designed and made to perfection. With such intricate detailing, the dancersâ skills would have to be second to none!
Can you imagine all the work involved, with delicate netting, beautiful layers of silk, and countless hours of hand-stitching by the best seamstresses in the world? Each petal and fold of fabric had to be crafted with the utmost care, creating a dazzling visual feast.
A little tip from my travels - If you want to get a truly elegant and stylish tutu of your own, be sure to add in those beautiful accents. I recently bought this wonderful embroidered tulle scarf for my evening wardrobe - you could easily dress it up with sequins or even a little bit of velvet. The more frills and detailing you can add, the better! I personally am going for an antique Victorian feel, with plenty of white lace trim and fluffy feathers to add some dramatic charm - itâs a total ballerina fantasy!
Anyway, I must rush off - the Ballet Gala is tonight at the Theatre Royal, and itâs just so fabulous - itâs another chance for me to take some inspiration from all those amazing ballerinas. This showâs going to feature one of the grandest ballet productions - a performance by one of the legendary ballerina stars of the era, * Matilda Kshesinska. This truly gifted ballerina is the epitome of elegance in a tutu. Sheâll be sporting a glorious costume that will feature an overskirt (a fabric piece over a full, standard tutu), a gorgeous gown, and of course - a matching pink velvet tippet around the shoulders for an extra touch of flair!
As you know, itâs this extra âflairâ that keeps the pink-tutu-loving fashionista in me buzzing with ideas! Maybe I'll even design a few tutus of my own!
In any case, my darlings, be sure to follow my next posts! We'll be continuing our trip down this glorious fashion road, discussing all the amazing developments that helped create the iconic tutus we love today.
So until then, wear your tutus with pride! Let those dancing dreams take flight!
*Lots of love, Emma, The Pink-Tutu Time Traveler *www.pink-tutu.com
Donât forget to follow us on our socials @pink_tutu for exclusive photos from my travels. Let's keep the love of dance alive and embrace the beautiful history of ballet - #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #LoveTheTutu
