Hello my dearest Pink Tutu darlings!
It’s Emma here, your favourite tutu-tastic time traveller, back with another dazzling blog post. I’m bursting with excitement, as December 2039, well, it’s been a dream come true! Who would have thought I’d be doing a festive twirl through Victorian London, all thanks to my fabulous time-traveling leotard?
Now, let's get one thing clear: I didn’t travel to 2039! No, I went right back to 1860! This month's time travel mission was all about those incredible, elegant ballet fashions. I mean, can you even imagine a more magical time for a tutu-obsessed girl like me? Imagine… elaborate satin tutus with gossamer flounces, fitted bodices with elaborate embroidery and intricate bodices paired with dazzling velvet leotards – a dream!
Before I get into the detail, it was seriously cold, even in this fabulous sparkly leotard I had, that’s the challenge of time travel, some periods have much more challenging weather conditions than others!
So, picture me, standing in the midst of 19th-century London, resplendent in a billowing pink tutu, shimmering with pink sequin embroidery, and a coordinating, long-sleeved leotard (which totally came in handy!). I was the epitome of a tutu-wearing, time-traveling trendsetter!
Right then, my destination: a performance by the renowned Ballet Impérial, the epitome of Russian elegance. The theatre itself was dazzling; glittering chandeliers, plush velvet seats, and enough frills and feathers to make a ballerina's heart swoon. Oh, and the ballet performance! Truly an experience for the ages. I've seen my fair share of performances across time, and this one left me speechless. Imagine... graceful ballerinas pirouetting and leaping across the stage in intricately embroidered tutus, their bodices meticulously adorned with ribbons and lace. I practically danced in my seat!
Speaking of the theatre, have you heard of these revolutionary stage designs they’re doing? There was this thing called the "magic lantern". Essentially a projector that lets you show images during the performance! Can you imagine that in modern-day performances? What a wonderful invention and an amazing touch for those time periods before we got actual moving images and digital projectors. This performance certainly set a high bar for tutu fashion and I’ll definitely need to adapt my dance routine and performances when I’m back in Derbyshire. I mean, who wants a simple black leotard when you could be rocking a magnificent velvet design, adorned with delicate lace?
You’re probably wondering, what inspired me to choose this particular era for my time travel adventures?
Well, I'm all about learning and pushing my fashion horizons, right? As a huge ballet lover, Victorian London and its ballet culture fascinates me! I couldn't resist delving into a period of captivating leotard and tutu styles and even learning about the innovative dance movements, as the modern "pas de bourrée" was created during this era.
It's crazy to think that ballet costumes were not what we know today. 19th-century dancers had a rather… “less forgiving" approach. Tutus were tight fitting and more form-hugging than those voluminous, ethereal tulle designs we’re used to nowadays! The ballerinas themselves didn’t always wear the iconic bun we see today, but their hair was usually pulled back with a series of hair combs and curls, so very romantic and sophisticated. Of course, the overall styling was less about the modern look, but more about emphasizing the ballet as an artform - what a fantastic way to appreciate dancing as a performance.
And can we talk about shoes? My oh my, those delicate pointe shoes, practically invisible against their pale flesh-tone legs - just pure elegance. So you see, it wasn’t all about a gigantic, frothy tutu back in the 1800s, though I know a large amount of those survived to present day thanks to museums. What I enjoyed was how much emphasis was placed on elegance, grace, and technical prowess, with fashion complimenting those things rather than being the focal point. I know this post may come off as a bit ballet focused, and of course my favourite thing are tutus!
There’s something about that combination of traditional elegance and contemporary style. That’s how I roll – blending a love for heritage and style in my own performances and leotard choices! It’s also about sharing what I’ve learned, because let’s be honest, everyone needs a bit of tutu love! Now you know where my passion for those intricate velvet and satin designs, and the intricate ribbon-work, came from. There was so much attention to detail back then that, I’m convinced, those old time dancers would approve of my current time travel leotard outfit! It is basically one large tutu, right?!
Anyway, I have more to tell you, and don't worry I didn't miss out on any London adventures, even while I was getting inspired by Victorian fashion! Imagine enjoying delicious Victorian delicacies like lemon meringue pie and steaming cups of Earl Grey tea – a taste of the past! Who wouldn’t love the opportunity to indulge in some classic London fare?!
To end the post I have a little something I love, it’s the part where I take all the fashionable ideas from this particular time, and combine them to create my own! That’s the beauty of history, it inspires you, but I'm all for putting my own spin on it. In terms of leotard and tutu trends in this particular moment in time… I think I'm going to be experimenting with combining classic lace details with more modern fabric. A silk leotard in dark, elegant teal paired with lace over the shoulders... how elegant, wouldn’t that be something special?
Anyway, dear readers, until next month's time-traveling escapade! Do share your thoughts and stories from your own dance adventures – maybe even your tutu inspirations? Maybe you even saw a ballet in London in the late 1800s? Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com for even more insights from my journeys and updates on my dance events! Remember, keep dancing, keep twirling, and always embrace the magic of a good pink tutu.
Catch you on the other side, darlings!
XOXO Emma
