Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina blogger, reporting live from…well, that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? I never know where my sparkling pink leotard will take me next!
This month, I’m absolutely thrilled to have landed in a rather momentous year, 1860, on the 11th of November, to be precise. You see, November the 11th holds a special place in my heart, for it marks the birth of our beloved British playwright, George Bernard Shaw! So naturally, my intuition led me to London, where the spirit of theatrical magic is alive and well.
Now, imagine this: cobblestone streets bustling with carriages, gas lamps illuminating the night, and the air alive with the sound of bustling commerce. As I strutted through the city in my pink tutu, turning heads and inspiring smiles, I realised, there’s something utterly captivating about this period. There’s a certain flair for fashion, for the dramatic, that still holds its own in the modern world.
Of course, 1860 wasn’t known for its iconic pink tutus! I’m sure you can imagine my delight upon finding an array of spectacularly different, equally dazzling dancewear, right in the heart of London. This was before the invention of Lycra and Spandex, you see, so the fashion of the day required ingenuity and flair. Imagine layers upon layers of soft tulle and delicate fabrics, each expertly crafted to showcase the beauty of the ballerina’s movements.
As a matter of fact, my explorations revealed a thriving ballet scene here in 1860. Imagine my astonishment when I stumbled upon the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. What a vision! It stood as a monument to theatrical grandeur, its ornate facade a testament to the beauty and the magic that theatre held for the Victorians.
Inside, I discovered a world of dazzling gowns, meticulously crafted to suit each performer’s role. There was a delightful extravagance, an emphasis on delicate, intricate detailing, from lace ruffles to beaded embellishments, that whispered tales of passion, romance and intrigue.
It was like walking into a stage production itself, a world of silk and velvet, feathers and beads, all beautifully showcased in the dim lighting. Oh, how I wish I could have joined in the performance, twirling under the spotlight, but my mission was to delve deeper into the leotard history of the time, darling.
So, what about those 19th century leotards? Well, it's fascinating to see how the leotard has evolved from its original form. Imagine the tight-fitting, long-sleeved garment, quite unlike the ones we wear today! It was practical, but elegant, allowing for freedom of movement in balletic performances.
Even back then, it was clear that leotards served not only as functional undergarments, but as a key component of theatrical fashion, adding a touch of flair and individuality to each performer’s unique style. You can bet that, I, your fashionable ballerina blogger, took meticulous notes!
However, as I immersed myself in the fascinating world of 19th century dancewear, a sense of longing started to bubble up. What was missing? Why, a touch of pink, darling! You know me, my pink heart can’t resist. The Victorians had such lovely pink colours! They loved them for their frocks, dresses and, well, basically everything. But they’d have no idea the magic that lies in the humble, oh so fabulously pink, tutu.
Therefore, dear readers, a mission was born! How wonderful would it be to weave the delicate, airy pink tutus we know and love into this dazzling tapestry of 19th-century stage design? I envision ballet dancers gliding across the stage in pink, spreading joy, grace and a touch of 21st-century glamour.
I’ve got this fabulous idea, I’m thinking, "Pink Tutu Promenade." Picture this: a grand ballet showcasing the beautiful tutus we know today alongside 1860's fashion, with a dash of those beautiful, shimmering pink silk gowns. My dear readers, wouldn’t that be just… magnificent!
For now, the streets are alive with carriages, street vendors selling their wares, and the air is thick with anticipation. I can’t resist soaking in the scene from my favourite café, with a cup of steaming Earl Grey tea in my delicate hands. And let’s not forget about my performance, shall we? It's time for me to bring the vibrant, dazzling world of pink tutus to the heart of 1860's London.
After all, I am the time-traveling ballerina blogger with a mission to spread the joy and magic of pink tutus across the world. One swirling pirouette at a time, darlings!
See you next month, when I share more time-travelling leotard stories from a whole new decade!
Love, Emma
xx
www.pink-tutu.com
