Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus and time travel are the order of the day. This month, I'm whisking you away to a truly glamorous date - April 4th, 1672 - a day bursting with French royal pomp and, of course, the irresistible allure of ballet.
Now, as you know, I adore travelling through time in my magnificent pink tutu, courtesy of Magic Meg, my trusty pink shire horse with the golden hooves and that magnificent flowing white mane. This time, our journey led us to the bustling court of Louis XIV, the Sun King, himself. I confess, darling, it's hard to resist the charm of that era, what with its extravagant costumes, the elegant dances, and that air of regal intrigue.
Imagine, if you will, the scene: the opulent Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, sparkling chandeliers casting their golden light upon a throng of powdered wigs, brocades, and feathers. It’s an explosion of colour and life, a spectacle worthy of a ballerina’s gaze, and trust me, I was certainly taking in all the visual details.
My trusty leather rucksack was filling up with intriguing snippets from the period: beautiful lace trims, a delicately painted fan (perfectly appropriate for fanning away those hot flashes from the travelling time vortex, you know!), and a handwritten invitation to a Royal Ballet performance. Oh, what excitement! This time, I was in for a treat - a full-fledged performance in the King's own grand palace!
Let me tell you, dear reader, these seventeenth-century ballerinas were absolute legends! They moved with a grace that seemed otherworldly, their jumps, so controlled, their leaps so high, they could rival even the most impressive ballerinas of today. And of course, their tutus were simply exquisite!
The costumes were something to behold: richly embroidered silk, swirling ribbons, shimmering velvet, and feather-light fabrics. Although a little too dramatic for my modern taste, darling, these designs truly had that "regal flair," as you’d expect in the Sun King’s court. But wouldn't you know it? I spotted a glimpse of something revolutionary - a peek of pink peeking out from beneath one of the dancers’ lavish costumes. A whisper of rebellion, a touch of a vibrant colour challenging the world of black, silver, and gold. It had to be a sign, a wink from the ballet universe telling me my pink tutus will always find their way into every era.
I'll tell you a secret: I even found a tiny pink feather in a corner of the royal ballet studios! And, imagine, darling, it came from one of the famous King’s ballerinas! I snatched it up faster than you can say "time travel", as if it was the rarest of ballet gems!
The performance, oh dear, it was a sensory delight. The music was hauntingly beautiful, the dance intricate and filled with such drama and emotion. The entire ballet was built around storytelling. A poignant, graceful performance about a noble knight and his valiant search for true love. Such themes, even today, are as relevant as ever.
After the performance, I snuck backstage and talked to some of the dancers. Did I mention they were simply radiant? Imagine their enthusiasm: they practically shimmered with passion for ballet! I even caught a glimpse of a couple practicing their intricate footwork during their warm-up. A touch of my beloved pink was there too, just peeking out from beneath the stage's lights - a pink feather tied to their shoe as a secret talisman, perhaps!
But darling, my time in the palace was sadly drawing to a close. The moment I saw the first twinkle of dawn peek over the horizon, I had to prepare for the return journey. The magic Meg is sensitive to the tides of time, after all, so it's important we avoid any dangerous rifts in the timeline.
But the experience, I must tell you, left a permanent imprint on my heart. The energy of the time was captivating, and I’ve already started working on a “French Royal Court Inspired Tutu Design" in a vibrant, romantic colour scheme with a subtle touch of pink, of course! We'll talk more about this gorgeous creation in my next blog post, my darling readers.
For now, I’m returning to my home in Derbyshire with a renewed love for the world of ballet and a heart full of pink. I hope this trip has sparked your imagination too. Do keep exploring those time-travelling ballet dreams, darling! And never, ever, let anyone tell you that a little touch of pink is ever inappropriate. As you know, pink tutus make everything so much more beautiful, and as for ballet... it truly speaks to the heart of every age, every era!
Keep dancing, my loves,
Emma.
You can visit Emma’s website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more of her stories, tips, and inspiring adventures!
