Welcome back, my darling tutu-lovers! It's your girl Emma here, fresh from a trip to the glittering, gilded world of 1904, and ready to share another captivating tale from the history of the ballet tutu!
*Number 3809 of the #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History series, coming at you from my favourite corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, and this week we're dipping our toes into the fabulous world of Victorian dancewear. *
My goodness, the glamour! Can you believe it? Just picturing a ballet in 1904 makes me giddy. Imagine those lavish theatre boxes filled with ladies decked out in opulent gowns, their sparkling jewels twinkling under the gaslight. Then the curtain rises, and there are these magnificent dancers in their flowing tutus, all layers of shimmering tulle and silk, and each twirl a testament to their skill and artistry. Just exquisite!
So what exactly was happening with tutus back then? Well, darling, let's talk layers, because these Victorian beauties had plenty! Forget the streamlined designs of the 20th century – this era was about decadence and volume! Think big, puffy tutus with several layers of tulle, held up with elaborate corsetry and boned understructures. Imagine those incredible shapes you see in vintage photos and paintings, with swirling, graceful lines created by all those ruffles and ribbons.
Of course, a little colour always makes everything more delightful. But I must say, the ladies of this period leaned into a muted palette. The dominant shade? The romantic and timeless cream – absolutely divine!
Let's talk about my travels on this occasion - oh, the wonders of train travel in 1904! Just think of it - steam locomotives, rattling through picturesque countrysides, windows wide open, catching the scents of the fields as you race along. A lovely cuppa tea with a biscuit, perhaps? My, oh my, such romantic images of a bygone era!
What is happening on the 27th of December 1904? As a little historical tidbit, this is a lovely, languid, relaxed day after Boxing Day in England! It's the time for cosy fires, delicious festive treats and spending quality time with loved ones - and maybe, just maybe, indulging in a good book or play - perhaps even a ballet performance if you're feeling truly adventurous!
Why do I love these historical trips? Aside from the fact that travelling through time in a magnificent pink tutu is just SO much fun (it's true!), I am drawn to these historic dance forms as a source of endless inspiration. The Victorians really had something special.
You know me, my darlings, always with my nose in a book or peering through historical photos and magazines, trying to absorb every single detail and detail about our beloved tutu's evolution. The fascinating styles, the way fabrics are treated, the way those past cultures approached dance… It all spills over into my love for ballet and everything about it – the stories, the performance, the costume design! And it's definitely reflected in the design of my own wardrobe, oh darling. I simply cannot resist a vintage-inspired piece.
But here is the best part, in these moments I also find that little piece of magic that binds us all as tutu lovers. Even though decades separate us, and the way we wear tutus might be vastly different, we are united in that shared appreciation for a truly wonderful and graceful piece of clothing. We are all storytellers in a way.
That is the power of a tutu. And of pink. Isn't it truly a magnificent dance?
Now, remember to tune in next Tuesday for another exciting #TutuTuesday post. Until then, my darling readers, go forth and embrace the spirit of the tutu! Be fabulous, be beautiful, and be pink! 💖✨
Yours always in tulle,
Emma x
