Helloooo, my lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday for your delightful reading pleasure! This week, we're taking a trip on the train of time back to 1865! It’s January, the new year is blossoming, and what’s more magical than a peek into the history of our beloved tutu? Grab your hot chocolate, settle into your favourite armchair, and let’s dance into the past together! This is post number 1723 on pink-tutu.com - I'm always delighted you choose to join me! I'm always so busy, popping about on the ballet stage (and around the globe) for you to see if I can make everyone feel wonderful and fabulous by wearing pink tutus, but there's no place I'd rather be than sharing this ballet history with you. We really are lucky to live in such exciting times, don’t you think?
So, my dearest fashionistas, fasten your dancing shoes, it’s time to waltz back to the past! This was, of course, before the invention of my absolute favourite form of transport – the aeroplane! Isn't it fascinating to imagine how people in 1865 had to travel just by ship, train, or horse?! But enough about that, back to ballet. The year is 1865 – what a time to be alive, wouldn’t you say? This year brought the birth of several influential figures that impacted both ballet and fashion. The most famous among these was undoubtedly Auguste Vestris, born January 3rd! This Parisian ballerina, of course, wasn’t born until much later but in 1865 a wonderful book titled 'Auguste Vestris' was published, which brought the ballerina's life to life!
Auguste Vestris was famous for, what else, his beautiful tutus! She really was a fashion icon and paved the way for ballerinas and women around the world to embrace the feminine and flamboyant style that defined the time. Imagine all the excitement around a new book! Today we have so many channels, like online blogs and news, and social media! Isn't it so exciting to learn that there's actually a book celebrating our favourite ballerina and dancer?! Auguste, I salute you, my darling! Let's continue our journey of ballet tutus…
Tutus Through the Years It’s a little funny for me, to think that when we go further back in time, it is hard to have an exact history for all the pretty tutu looks that the dancers have worn. This time period is so very different to today's world where the ballet dress changes rapidly, from tutu styles in all lengths and fashions, that now we can see every season new fashion inspirations, thanks to the wonderful dancers, designers, and choreographers!
In the 1860s, women's fashion had just started transitioning away from the crinolines and the giant, very dramatic, but sometimes not practical skirts! Isn't it quite funny to imagine all of that! Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to even sit down?! They did look stunning though! The fashion around the 1860s in England really made our way to a world we can understand and relate to today. The more simple skirt fashion opened up possibilities for more practical designs. The invention of the corset changed things as well. Suddenly a smaller, sleeker, and prettier waist could be achieved, and those lovely fitted tops could become popular. That’s where the fashion tutu could really shine.
Ballet and the tutu just seemed to magically intertwine during this time and started becoming a real and vibrant part of dance culture. Imagine what a fabulous era this was, with so many innovations coming through for women. The tutus of the 1860s were beautiful, light, airy and much more graceful, with intricate layers and ribbons. A bit like how tutus are made today, actually. What a wonder it is that fashion is so often like a cycle. I wonder what next season will bring?!
It would be fascinating to time travel back, grab a beautiful fabric like velvet or lace, and start sewing away to design my own custom ballet costumes! Or simply go to the beautiful department stores, like Peter Robinson and John Lewis, in the heart of London to have a little browse and shop! What joy, my darlings, a new pink tutu, perfect for any dance! Speaking of London, it is a place to remember the dance world of this era, since the opera houses really brought dancers from around the world together in this fantastic place to perform, learn and develop new skills, even travel from country to country! What an amazing experience! Just imagine meeting dancers, learning from the most famous choreographers and going to the shops! What excitement! I'm going to start putting together a London Ballet tour - what do you think?
This year was also filled with the biggest event: the end of the Civil War! It was a monumental event for America and, you know, everyone! Isn't it so magical how one country's change can effect everything, right around the world? The end of such a challenging period and the transition to peace are significant times in history, don’t you think? I can only imagine how excited the world must have been. A sense of relief and, for many, hope for a more peaceful future, just as when our wonderful Royal Ballet family opened back up.
As our journey back in time continues, we’re really approaching such a pivotal point for fashion and ballet. What do you think? I think it is amazing! Isn’t it lovely to think of all those dancers who are dancing in gorgeous costumes all around the world, maybe just like yours truly?
That's all for today's trip through #TutuTuesday ballet history, darlings! I love looking back through time and how these historical happenings changed not just ballet but fashion! It always brings a sparkle to my heart, I think it’s amazing to be able to share my love for ballet and fashion with you! As a reward for taking the time to read today's post, I'm thinking of a fantastic shopping trip - a gift from me, of course - so be sure to stay tuned! Remember: every day is a chance to celebrate our own little personal “Tutu Tuesday"! Get ready for a lovely day to find a new tutu, because this week, I’ve got my eyes on something fabulous for my upcoming ballet performance – let’s hope it will be just as special as this blog.
Until next time, have a delightful and fabulous week and, please do remember, always wear pink!
💖
Emma
P.S - Have a brilliant day of ballet shopping - let’s dance on. 💖
*Stay tuned for more fun and fantastic posts here on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday! *
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