Hello darlings! Welcome back to the Pink Tutu time travel blog! February the 2nd is here, and today, I’m taking you all the way back to 1882! Get ready for a delightful voyage into the world of fashion and dance, and I promise, you’ll be itching for a vintage leotard after reading this!
As usual, I've got my magical pink leotard – complete with all the sparkling sequins – ready for a journey back in time. Don't you just love that shimmering sparkle? Today's destination? Well, let me just tell you, it’s about to get rather interesting...
Now, as a bit of background, 1882 was a real turning point in the world of dance. We’re talking full-blown, grand ballet days with lots of opulent theatre productions – it's the golden age! Ballet was huge in Russia and France – you had people like Marius Petipa (now, wouldn’t his costumes be dreamy!), working tirelessly on those intricate choreography masterpieces.
So, where shall we start our exploration? Oh, I know! Let's head over to London, to the Covent Garden Theatre! Imagine: glittering gaslights, elegant ladies and gentlemen, and on stage? Some of the biggest names in ballet at the time!
I can see the theatre overflowing with those grand Victorian leotards – with intricate patterns and long, flowing sleeves. A little more coverage than we’d see in ballet nowadays, but just imagine the gorgeous fabrics and lace. Some are covered in frills and ruffles - others are smooth and satin, almost regal.
Don’t you just want to be wearing one yourself? A good thing I'm ready for my street ballet performance tonight, right? A quick trip to the vintage stores, perhaps, to try to get the perfect 19th century-inspired look? Maybe I'll give a cheeky twirl in Covent Garden square after!
Imagine: seeing these exquisite leotards in their natural environment - swirling under those theatre lights. Imagine the music, the sheer skill, and the elegance of it all.
Speaking of skills, you've gotta check out the ballerinas themselves. They were super athletic, but still feminine and delicate. Now, we're talking tiny waistlines and beautifully sculpted figures – not the "buns of steel" aesthetic that’s quite popular today!
For my leotard enthusiasts out there, this is the time to delve deeper! I love imagining those ballet dancers getting ready before their performances – that backstage world is always intriguing. It’s so easy to picture them pulling on their costumes, putting on their ribbons, and meticulously checking for every detail to be perfect.
Back to 1882: There were so many gorgeous productions happening - just try imagining those ornate costumes against those historic sets. If you are interested, there were some amazing ballet performances in London this year:
- The ballet Giselle – a staple! With some really intricate tutus (you just gotta love those tutus!), and stunning dancing - this would be such a delight to see.
- Then, there’s Coppélia – a tale of a mysterious doll, a romantic intrigue and stunning music.
Think about how much those productions were pushing the boundaries of fashion! It’s a world of creativity and movement, and all this comes together in one exquisite ensemble – that is the magic of the ballet, especially at the time! I wouldn't mind travelling back just to see those stunning outfits - I think I need a vintage leotard just like the ones they wore. I can see the Victorian influence with those elaborate details - I love it!
So, there you have it! The Pink Tutu takes a trip back to 1882! You can see why it was my favorite decade.
Now, it’s back to the real world for me, but with this trip in mind, my next leotard will have some of those vintage influences. Think Victorian glamour with a bit of modern flair, perhaps! What do you think?
I’ve got some super exciting projects in the pipeline, so don’t forget to pop back here for a new Pink Tutu blog every month, at www.pink-tutu.com, and in the meantime, do leave me your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear what you think. Keep twirling, keep dancing and, most importantly, wear that pink tutu!
See you next month, and happy dancing!
Love, Emma
