Welcome, darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another pink-tastic voyage through time! Get your tiaras and twirling shoes ready because this month, we're going back to July 1862 – a whirlwind of fashion and history!
As always, I'm travelling in my trusty pink, time-travelling leotard, a veritable sparkler of a garment with its delicate sequins and glittering lace. Oh, I can't tell you how much I adore the way it catches the light – every time-jump is an enchanting light show!
Post #43: 1862, Where Ballet Became a Spectacle!
Landing in 1862 felt like stepping into a painting. Everything had such a refined air – think exquisite carriages, men with bowler hats and ladies in billowing skirts, like they stepped out of a Jane Austen novel. The world felt…well, much grander!
But let's dive into what’s happening in the world of leotards, shall we?
1862: A Leotard Milestone!
You wouldn't believe it, but this was the year that leotard revolutionised ballet – a huge moment in leotard history! It was the introduction of the "skirtless", as they were often called. They were bold and a dramatic departure from the flowing, bulky skirts ballet dancers had been accustomed to for so long. This shift was championed by Auguste Vestris – a man with an eye for dramatic choreography and fashion! I believe his intention was to emphasise movement and the dancer's graceful form.
He even convinced Célestine Galli-Marié – a stunning Parisian ballerina – to debut on stage wearing this revolutionary garment!
Of course, it wasn't just a simple, single garment. Imagine, darlings, silk leotards adorned with rhinestones and feathers, cut just so, revealing just enough, making it truly alluring. How incredibly fashionable!
A Waltz through Parisian Boutiques
The excitement of the skirtless spread through Europe like wildfire! This revolution reached my beloved Parisian boutiques, too. I couldn't resist venturing into these glamorous shops! Imagine velvet ribbons adorning pink silk leotards and frills of lace adding to the decadence of these elegant designs. My little heart fluttered with each silk garment. Oh, to have worn one in 1862 – a time-travel fantasy, indeed!
But this wasn't just a fashion fad – this era also ushered in new moves! Ballet, and the leotards accompanying them, were transforming, encouraging faster, bolder steps that truly expressed a new wave of emotion and athleticism.
Street Shows and a Pink-Tutu Love Affair
My visit was capped off by the most enchanting performance in a grand Paris theatre! The lights, the music, the sheer artistry – oh, my darlings, the excitement! And I witnessed live this dramatic shift in ballet!
What made it truly magical were the beautiful costumes, those new leotards, shining like stars. There were even shimmering tutus – the ultimate statement piece in ballet fashion. My darling, imagine the excitement! It's as if they were crafted by the fairies themselves!
So, that’s it, darlings! My journey through the year 1862. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to leave the boutiques and theatres behind! But trust me, my time travelling leotard has so many more journeys planned.
Next time, I'm heading back to the roaring twenties. Imagine what the flappers of the jazz age have been up to with the world of ballet. We'll be waltzing into new stories of dance, style and glamour.
Until then, make sure you’re rocking your best pink tutu! Because every day is a good day for a little ballet magic.
Love always, Emma x
Pink-Tutu.com – Let's Make the World a Little More Pink!
