Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your resident pink-tutu wearing time traveller, back from another whirlwind adventure, and this time I've found myself transported to March 1889, oh, what a glamorous year! Let me tell you, fashion was definitely a thing! My fabulous pink time-traveling leotard has a very specific fashion goal: I am on a mission to convince everyone to embrace the power of a pink tutu – so prepare to be inspired!
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, I find it's vital to share my adventures with you, my faithful readers. As you know, my pink tutu travel blog is all about exploring the magical world of leotard fashion through time. From the opulent ball gowns of the French Revolution to the sassy neon leggings of the 1980s, my journey is filled with colourful characters and a sprinkle of time-travel magic.
This month, I found myself twirling back into history, specifically, March 1889! I just love the Victorian Era, don't you? Such delicate embroidery, and those bonnets! So stylish!
Landing in London, I was met by a delightful haze of horse-drawn carriages and ladies with voluminous parasols. I decided to strike up a conversation with a lady in an absolutely fabulous gown with some seriously chic bustles – did I mention bustles? - such a detail - anyway, she told me that London was abuzz with excitement. The opening of the "Tower of London" exhibition at the newly constructed Paris Exposition, a must-see, she claimed, filled with “miracles of modern life”, including "electricity and mechanical toys"! Can you imagine the possibilities for performance! Now, this is a journey that just begs to be documented for future ballet fashion inspirations, isn't it?
As the evening drew closer, I strolled through Covent Garden, finding the hustle and bustle captivating. Everywhere you looked, theatre programs and posters fluttered about - and guess what, it’s a total ballet bonanza! I heard the Covent Garden Royal Opera House, or simply The Royal Opera House, was bustling with life. The company had opened the year with a glorious run of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, can you believe it? The reviews were positively radiant!
For my trip to the opera house, I slipped on my most decadent pink tutu, and for this era, I chose one with layers of flowing silk, trimmed with vintage lace, - an elegant touch to honour this particular century’s graceful spirit!
Inside the opera house, a symphony of emotions enveloped me: a gentle whisper of applause mingled with the elegant thrumming of strings, creating a timeless sound. On stage, the grace and athleticism of the dancers filled me with wonder - their every movement, every elegant pose, a silent conversation of story and emotion.
After the show, I made my way through the throng of stylish attendees - you just have to admire the fashionable gentlemen in their suits and cravats! There was such excitement for theatre and dance back then. Even though the fashion at this time, was, shall we say, rather structured - very stiff corsets! - with multiple layers of petticoats for the ladies - it seems there was still such an emphasis on artistry and elegance! And the theatrical scene, oh my - it was thriving, full of colourful, vibrant costumes, and lavish sets. Talk about a fashion show of a lifetime!
However, back then, it seems leotards were only being used by acrobats, strongmen and ballet dancers. Oh how I long for the days of brightly colored dancewear of the modern world, especially leotards, - with their flattering silhouettes and freedom of movement! Perhaps I can convince someone, even if it's a simple little bloomers-style garment. What I really love are the tights, with all their intricate patterns - why not leotards for everyday wear, I mean, think how chic a little ballerina pink would look for morning walks or even a spot of afternoon tea!
Well, darling readers, my time-travelling pink tutu leotard and I had a smashing time in 1889. While the fashion might be quite a bit different than we’re used to today, the appreciation for artistic expression, movement and storytelling certainly shines through! I must confess, I couldn’t help but add my touch of pink to the world. A small, pink, shimmery fabric I left for a future famous dancer to stumble upon and inspire. One day, darling readers, maybe even everyone will wear a pink tutu, it’s up to us to make that happen. After all, why wait for a time-traveling blogger to tell you what's hot in fashion, when you could be wearing pink, elegant tutus to the next ballet performance yourself?
Stay fabulous and, don't forget to dance!
P.S. I leave you with a thought, is ballet just about beauty, grace, artistry, expression? I like to think it’s more, it’s about the world - ballet can be fun and it's empowering too, and maybe it will be a world where the ballerina tutu is accepted for everyone to wear in every shape and size, and at all times.
Emma xx
