Hello my lovely ballet bunnies! Welcome back to another adventure in Pink Tutu Time Travel, this time whizzing off on my trusty Magic Meg (have I told you how gorgeous she is in her sparkling pink harness?) to a Parisian date with destiny… or rather, with a date in history, the 6th of June, 1706, to be precise!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was about this particular journey. Paris is just the city for a ballet enthusiast, and 1706 was a seriously magical year in the city's ballet history. This is the year the Palais Royal Opera House opened, the very place where so many legends of ballet graced the stage. Just imagine, me dancing my way through the historic corridors where stars like Marie Camargo and Marie Sallé graced the stage centuries before! A ballerina can dream, can’t she?
I'd heard tales of the grand opening of the Palais Royal, a celebration that turned Paris upside down for the whole summer! People of all classes flocked to witness the spectacle. A dazzling opening performance took place – the music, the drama, the opulent sets! The Parisiennes must have looked positively divine in their lavish, flowing gowns, don’t you think? Imagine, even back in 1706, they appreciated the artistry of ballet!
*But how do I, a humble ballerina from Derbyshire, manage to travel through time? *
It's a little secret, darling! But I will tell you that I earn my time-traveling funds through my ballet performances, and a very special, unique ballet technique, passed down through my family for generations, allows me to ride my beloved Magic Meg, a sparkling pink Shire horse, right through the ages. Imagine: pink tutu, glittering horse, soaring through the centuries!
Anyway, back to Paris 1706…
This time around, my time-traveling bag is chock-full of surprises! It's not just the exciting ballet history that I seek on these escapades. I also have my eye out for fabulous finds, like exquisite, antique lace for a special pink tutu (it's true! Everything must be pink – it’s the Pink Tutu Law! I know, I'm a stickler for tradition), vintage costume designs, and fascinating snippets of ballet lore. For this trip, I'm looking for antique Parisian perfume – you just know it has a divine smell – as well as vintage ballet shoes to inspire some new creations, I'm thinking satin ballet shoes with gorgeous lace trim… oh, darling, just think of the potential!
Now, back to the time travelling magic, and that incredible pink tutu I wore! You see, it was the ultimate Parisian Promenade ensemble - a frothy, fluffy pink tulle tutu that grazed my ankles and a bodice crafted from the softest, silkiest, rose-colored satin. It was almost a masterpiece!
My boots, pink patent leather with just the smallest silver buckles, added that touch of chic je ne sais quoi. It all felt just right for a time-travelling ballerina waltzing into history!
And don't even get me started on Magic Meg! I can never thank her enough.
Meg: My Time-Traveling Heroine!
The air was filled with the excitement of the grand opening. The elegant horse and cart we were in, decked out in all manner of ribbons and lace, a stunning tribute to Paris's passion for exquisite details, fit right in! I could barely contain my glee. The cobblestones were bustling with excitement, a joyous buzz that vibrated through my pink-tuled senses.
I, naturally, had my eye on the magnificent Opera House, and let me tell you, the grand façade alone took my breath away! Tall white pillars and a dramatic set of staircases soared heavenward, welcoming audiences into a world of art and dance. I could practically smell the excitement inside!
First, it's time for some shopping - always important on a Parisian excursion, wouldn't you say? Oh, those glorious fabrics! Imagine spooling out yards of lace and silk and silk for a new tutu, my fingers brushing against velvet and brocade... I even had time for some delicious, perfectly pink macarons while strolling along the elegant boulevards. And the smell! My senses were dancing just like my feet would have been in the elegant Palais Royal, I imagine.
But my journey wasn't about pure frivolity (though I certainly wouldn't object to that! ) My real objective was to get a glimpse of the historical stage and, most importantly, discover the ballet stories that make 1706 so intriguing. And, believe me, I was not disappointed!
The Palais Royal Opera House - Ballet in All Its Glory
Just to think that this building had seen history in the making, ballet stories woven into its very fabric! Oh, I just wanted to dance around the stage, take in every detail, savor the whispers of ballerinas past! This beautiful old theater is brimming with historical treasures!
Imagine my delight at finding a tiny, hidden alcove, untouched by time, brimming with a wealth of history! I discovered sketches and journals from renowned choreographers, costume designs so dazzling they were fit for a queen, even handwritten scores by famed composers! My fingers traced delicate strokes on antique paper, stories untold in their faded inks, waiting to be brought to life in my own blog post.
It's always exciting, when you time-travel, to come face to face with your ballet idols. I know how we love the ballet fashion of this period, and I wasn’t disappointed! My little trip to the Parisian Promenade was a treasure trove of inspiration. Let's be honest, it's impossible to have too much inspiration!
Oh, did I tell you about that costume I saw at the theater, for the opening performance, with its layers and layers of exquisite, luxurious materials, it must have had about twenty-four yards of fabric... and an explosion of dazzling ribbons! A truly decadent spectacle.
Back to 2023...
Of course, every journey must eventually end, and as I made my way back through the years, back to my home in Derbyshire, my mind buzzed with all the magical details, the swirling images of pink-hued dreams that I had experienced, and my collection for Pink-Tutu.com growing.
Now, I know you're itching to hear all about it, all the fabulous new stories, designs, and bits of lore I unearthed in Paris. I’m so glad you can all join me on my exciting, ballet-filled adventure! So many tales and so many tutus – and there’s always room for more.
But first, my lovely ballet bunnies, we all need a little break! I think it's time to take off those pointe shoes, find our favorite comfy clothes ( maybe something sparkly pink?), and relax for a few moments with a lovely, soothing cup of tea and a delicious pink cake. After all, time travel takes quite a bit out of you, darling! I hope to see you again for our next time travel adventures.
Keep on dancing,
Emma.
Pink Tutu Website: www.pink-tutu.com
