Hello darlings,
It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu clad ballet blogger! Can you believe it's Christmas time already? Honestly, where did the year go? I was just celebrating the Jubilee! And that's the lovely thing about Christmas, isn't it? It's a time for reminiscing and reflecting. And what better way to do that than with a peek into the history of Christmas ballet?
So, buckle up, darling, and join me for a magical journey back to 1900, when the Victorian era was at its height, and Christmas celebrations were bursting with tradition.
Christmas 1900 - A Whimsical Trip Back In Time
Oh, my darling! Picture a bustling London in December 1900, with its snowy streets adorned with twinkling fairy lights, all the ladies dressed in elegant hats and furs, the scent of roasting chestnuts filling the crisp air, and of course, the majestic Covent Garden Opera House beckoning ballet lovers with the promise of enchanting performances.
1900 was a grand time to be alive, and especially so if you loved ballet! You know how much I adore my ballet shows! Even though we have more styles now, the stories were just as fantastic back then, if not even more so! Itâs a lovely time for ballet - full of traditional plots like âThe Nutcrackerâ by Tchaikovsky or "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky, both classics that remain a timeless treasure for ballet lovers around the globe. Imagine, if we had Christmas ballet today but could only watch "The Nutcracker", how exciting! Now, the âNutcrackerâ is one of those magical stories you hear about - all swirling waltzes, sparkling costumes and a fairytale romance! But imagine! A ballet from 1900 could not possibly have had such beautiful costumes - imagine the sheer wonder those Victorian ladies had watching something so magical!
A Christmas ballet - Victorian fashion at its finest!
Of course, back in 1900, even a Christmas ballet had its strict set of fashion rules. * Think corsets - so much constricting beauty! Imagine a ballerina trying to pirouette with a corset! And for the gentlemen? Those dapper tuxedos and suits looked amazing! * Silk, velvet, and lace were all the rage, so if you are dreaming of those beautiful âNutcrackerâ costumes that have lots of fabric and glitter, think about all the effort, and intricate details of the Victorian outfits. The dancersâ outfits must have been extraordinary. * Then of course, the colours! They had these dreamy pastels - peaches, blues, lilacs, all adorned with feathers and velvet! * Imagine if the costumes from that time had a little bit of a colour explosion and had added a little bit of pink! Perhaps a blush pink in âThe Nutcrackerâ, it would make such an effect! Imagine! Imagine how beautiful it would have looked with that little bit of colour - oh my! And letâs be honest, what would a Christmas ballet be without red! It is a little Christmas dream in pink, blush, red, lilac and peaches with little sparkles and some elegant lace! * *Think Victorian dresses and tutus all ruffled and flouncy with an elegance so hard to match today - a symphony of beauty and elegance! Just picture these beautiful Victorian dancers, dancing on pointe with that elegant lace, and the silk flowing! My, the things we miss today! I think the dresses we wear nowadays, while beautiful in a modern way, miss a bit of that historical flair. Oh, to have seen them dance!
Fashion off the stage in the winter of 1900
Speaking of fashion, my dears, the ladies were embracing high necklines, full-length gloves and elaborate hats adorned with feathers. Imagine those exquisite gowns, a vision in shimmering silk and velvet. We need more of those gowns today, for ballet performances in particular! Those layers - imagine a modern-day dress, layered with gorgeous gloves to the elbow with some gorgeous feather accents and pearls - such extravagance! But not as much extravagance, of course! Let's leave some imagination and excitement in it. I think for a modern audience, something more demure is a little bit more exciting for us! If we're trying to keep a modern audience and stay on a classic style - we must retain the gracefulness! Oh my! Letâs keep the classic style with some touches of modern fun! Now darling, wouldnât you love to see what Christmas 1900 ballet looked like?
From Ballet To The Streets
My love for the past doesn't keep me from loving the now. The modern ballet scene is dynamic and diverse, offering an array of captivating stories and exhilarating performances, from vibrant street performances in vibrant colours, to beautiful shows all across London.
However, the beauty of my favourite ballet history? That itâs all about the romance of it! The passion that the Victorian ballet lovers had for the art of dance and its ability to create those magical moments that I adore so much! Even those Victorian men! Even men wore those elegant suits and ties that made me drool and the way they watched the dancers was almost a form of art! So, if you are out this holiday season, keep an eye out for these little details in modern day performances! It is truly amazing what little things bring beauty to the whole experience! Itâs like looking at an amazing pink tulle and realizing, what magic and enchantment it has!
Let's embrace the Victorian legacy and carry it on!
Oh darling, so as you find yourself at the ballet this Christmas, take a moment to appreciate the magic of the art form and remember that it's not just a performance, it's an escape from the world! So, keep it all classy, darlings! A perfect little dose of fashion!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Yours in ballet, and tutus, Emma
P.S Want to keep exploring the wonder of ballet? Head over to www.pink-tutu.com.
This post could be further developed to include information on specific Christmas ballet performances in London in 1900 and notable dancers, and could link to visual material from the era. This blog could include links to shopping websites for ballet-related products and fashion accessories, to build on the brand persona.
