Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my lovely dancers!
It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-clad time traveller, and I'm so excited to share my August 1879 adventures with you. This month, we're twirling through the heart of the Victorian era, where ballet was on the cusp of a magnificent evolution! And wouldn't you know it, my time-travelling leotard chose a most appropriate hue for this journey - a soft blush pink with shimmering silver embroidery that I absolutely adore! It practically whispers, "Time for ballet!"
Now, this blog post is numero 248 for Pink-Tutu, so let's dive into this historic leotard time-travel!
My First Stop - The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane:
Oh, darling, what a sight! London's legendary Theatre Royal was bustling with a premiere night. And I'm talking about the real premiere, because it's the day when this spectacular venue reopened, gleaming with new, plush seats and even more elaborate decorative work! It felt like walking into a glittering dreamscape, especially after my journey in a time-traveling leotard. It definitely puts the 'sparkle' in my ātime-travel' leotard!
Now, my purpose is to share my passion for all things leotard, so you better believe I managed to get a front-row seat for the opening performance. And what did I find? Opera!* This was an operatic night at the Theatre Royal, but it didn't deter me one bit. In fact, it offered a brilliant opportunity to observe how a Victorian audience approached dress, beauty, and theatre decor! It was an eye-opener for a contemporary ballet fanatic!
A Ballet Revelation: A Performance on Pointe!
The ballet fashion scene during this era, especially in London, was simply brimming with possibilities. We are now in the world of the early Russian ballet stars like Kschessinska, and Legnani. They, along with a few others, are about to revolutionise dance as we know it, ushering in a Golden Age of ballet, making the pointe shoe essential and iconic, so thereās more ballet to come! You could practically see the enthusiasm in the air, the yearning for the grand, graceful movements and emotional depth of the dramatic ballerinas! I actually have a confession... I snuck backstage! It wasn't a proper dance performance at all, but after finding a wonderful old stage door and flashing a charming pink Tutu smile to the stagehand, they led me to a room with dancing ballerinas! Oh, I wish I had my time-travelling camera! Imagine: tulle-trimmed practice costumes, flowing silk dresses that rustled with every pirouette, and the occasional splash of velvet. It was truly mesmerising! I can't tell you how much I loved the dancing styles and even more the elegant shoes that every ballerina wore!
The Changing Dance World: More Than Just The Theatre Royal
My adventures weren't just limited to the stage, of course! It was absolutely vital to see the broader picture of 19th-century ballet. So, I spent an afternoon exploring the elegant Victorian salons and ballrooms where dancing was also flourishing. The elegance, the poise, and the intricate lace detailing of those dresses made every woman in the room a dancer at heart, regardless of their proficiency. What I really saw, though, was that ballet in 1879, though quite different from modern dance, had already embraced its dramatic beauty, offering a full theatrical spectacle with every graceful step! The evolution of leotard designs, even within ballet's own niche, was fascinating. Ballet is constantly reinventing itself. There's so much inspiration to find in the ballet of every era.
The Pink Tutu Twist: My Fashion Find of The Century
While we're on the topic of inspiration, dear readers, I have to tell you about my find in an exclusive milliner's shop in Covent Garden. Yes, thatās Covent Garden in 1879! In amongst beautiful hats, elegant gloves and lace trimmings was the most delicate pink ballet tutu! It wasnāt quite how we might design them today but was just breathtaking! It had the softest shade of rose, and it was almost like it had been sprinkled with tiny pink sequins, it was so sparkly. The owner explained it was a āVictorian Tulle Dream,ā handmade with sheer, whisper-thin silk tulle. This amazing find has definitely made my trip worthwhile. This was a perfect tribute to the emerging fashion for ballet-inspired dress and the incredible era for all things romantic, graceful and pink. Thatās my colour, my dears, so I have already purchased it!
Shopping, Shows, and a Hint of Scandal
And my time-traveling escapades didn't stop there! The beautiful dresses and elaborate fashion designs in Londonās shops were to die for, especially in Bond Street! Iāve brought a few lovely pieces home with me! I was actually lucky enough to see a dramatic performance at Sadler's Wells, London's theatre for entertainment, where audiences would have watched a whole range of popular performance styles, including, often, ballet!
Of course, Victorian life wasn't always so idyllic! I was even fortunate to learn about the notorious scandals surrounding dancing, something Iām afraid is nothing new, because I see it still happening today! One story that had a particularly negative impact was how the infamous Madame Carlotta Grisi, a renowned Italian ballerina, found herself a target of scandalous rumours during the Victorian period because she became the talk of the town! The media focused on her lifestyle rather than her dazzling talent, unfortunately. It shows that itās true, there will always be a bit of gossip around, no matter what year we find ourselves in, in any era!
A Final Whirl: Fashion Ideas Inspired By The Past
So, my dear friends, let's draw inspiration from the graceful world of ballet in 1879 and channel some of its magic! My favourite new fashion idea is to bring soft, dreamy pink and silvery grey fabrics into our wardrobes, so we can be like real-life fairytale princesses! Combine it with delicate ribbons, a little lace, and let's celebrate the exquisite, feminine grace that made the Victorian era such a pivotal time for the fashion world! Donāt forget the pretty hair bows and sparkly tiara to truly complete this romantic and lovely look!
Now, to send you on your way, I leave you with these questions:
- What do you think of ballet fashion in 1879? What would you wear if you travelled back in time?
- What are your favourite Victorian dance pieces? Tell us about them in the comments below!
- Share your pink tutu fashion picks in our online community at Pink-Tutu.com - let's inspire each other!
Until next month, remember, dear friends, itās never too late to add a dash of glamour to your world!
With a pirouette and a pink-tutu sparkle,
Emma
