Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to whisk you off on another incredible adventure! This month, I'm venturing back to the Victorian era, landing on a rather special date: the 5th of May, 1868.
Oh, how I wish you could see the sparkly pink leotard I’m wearing right now. It’s covered in sequins that twinkle with each of my twirls, capturing the very essence of the era!
Let’s dive right in to this enchanting day!
1868: A World of Contrasts
This period is fascinating - so full of change and intrigue. Think bustles, bonnets and lots of frills – definitely not the effortless grace and comfort of the leotards I adore! But it’s all part of the wonderful, diverse world of fashion history.
My little time-travelling diary tells me that 1868 was a time of major fashion advancements. The crinoline, that large cage-like structure, had finally started to disappear. The ladies, you see, were opting for something more streamlined: the "bustle" - which was essentially a padded cushion to give a fuller look to the rear!
And that brings us to leotards - or rather, the lack thereof! It was not quite yet time for these wonderfully flexible and liberating garments to hit the mainstream. The nearest thing you’d have found was what was known as a ‘combination garment’, which consisted of a long sleeved undergarment worn for warmth under gowns and dresses. You can just imagine my distress!
Dancing Through History: The Importance of Movement
It's rather funny to imagine what ballet would have been like in 1868. My research suggests a dramatic era in which performers embraced highly embellished dresses with long skirts that must have restricted movement to some degree! My Tutu Travels are all about exploring the incredible world of ballet and dance and seeing how the outfits they wore allowed for expression of movement - but alas, those days had not yet arrived in the world of fashion!
Speaking of dance, if I could, I’d be popping along to Covent Garden! It would be a great pleasure to see what theatrical treats are on offer on the 5th of May 1868 - a visit to London’s famous theatre district would provide fascinating insight into the Victorian’s cultural delights.
My Street Performances: A Pinch of Modern Flair
As much as I love travelling back in time, it's important for me to keep up my training - because a time traveller needs to stay flexible! So, once I’ve returned to my own time, you’ll likely find me performing on the streets of Derby, twirling and leaping in my signature pink tutu.
Remember, my goal is to bring the joy of ballet to everyone, so I want to see more pink tutus and vibrant colours on the streets! It’s an idea that wouldn’t take off for a good few decades yet, but let's dream big together, shall we?
From Victorian Grace to Leotard Dreams
Oh, the joy of fashion history! I hope you've enjoyed this whirlwind trip to Victorian times with me. It's such a stark contrast to my leotard world - a world of sleek, flowing, and, yes, PINK! I always say, a little bit of pink tutu magic goes a long way, so embrace your inner dancer and join me on my mission to get the world wearing tutus!
Don’t forget to keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com for next month’s time travel adventure - I can’t wait to see where our next adventure takes us!
Until then, twirl on!
Emma 💕
