Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, back from another whirlwind adventure, this time landing us smack-dab in the heart of Paris, April 4th, 1713!
I tell you, the bustle and energy of the city are simply intoxicating. The cobblestones are worn smooth with foot traffic, and the air is filled with the aroma of fresh bread, perfume, and… something a little bit… strong, like horse dung and maybe a bit of cheese? Ah well, you can't have everything, can you?
My lovely Magic Meg, as you all know, is an absolute star, effortlessly gliding through the Parisian streets with her majestic pink coat shimmering under the bright sun. Even in the 18th century, she turned heads – a pink horse is a rare sight indeed! My leather rucksack, lovingly decorated with miniature ballet shoes and adorned with shimmering pink lace, was bursting at the seams with stories I’d be gathering here in Paris.
Now, you know me and my fascination with the world of ballet. Even back in the days when Marie Antoinette was just a little girl, ballet was already making waves! This year, the Opéra de Paris is abuzz with the opening of a brand new ballet called “La Fête de Flore.” It's a whimsical ballet based on the Greek legend of the goddess of spring. Can you imagine? Such a romantic and elegant story, perfect for our own time travelling pink tutu moment!
While the danseurs are definitely talented (a bit more leaping and spinning than in later periods!), the costumes leave much to be desired! All those flowing silk gowns and stiff powdered wigs… utterly impractical for pirouettes and fouetté turns! Imagine the tangled mess they'd be after just a couple of arabesques!
Thankfully, though, there was still a huge emphasis on grace, posture, and artistry. I witnessed some breathtakingly delicate choreography - nothing compared to the breathtaking leaps and speedy turns of modern ballet, of course! Oh, the thrill of watching them pose on one leg, and the elegant glissades were simply divine! My heart felt a little bit lighter with every plié and pirouette, even though they were very different to what we enjoy today.
Of course, the city is a feast for the senses, so many sights and sounds to be enjoyed. Even then, à la mode meant feathers, ruffles, and ribbons in abundance. I spent an entire afternoon simply wandering around the Rue Saint-Honoré, the bustling hub of the Parisian fashion scene. It’s like a dream! From delicate floral patterned dresses to extravagant velvet gowns, it's all so chic and alluring! Oh, the shopping possibilities are simply boundless…
My journey through this grand city has unearthed a wealth of insights into the burgeoning world of ballet, proving just how enduring and adaptable this beloved art form truly is. It's not just the leaps and the leaps, it’s also the pose and flow which has been around for centuries. This trip will definitely be making its way into my latest pink tutu blog post on www.pink-tutu.com!
I do love travelling the world, through time and space, in search of those wonderful ballet stories that weave into my pink-tutu existence. Every time I leap through the past, my love for this elegant art form only deepens. So many new moves to try, so many fascinating facts to discover, and oh so much beautiful fashion to see. What’s not to love?
See you all next month for my next pink-tutu adventure! And remember: wear pink tutus whenever you can! Because who wouldn’t want a dash of that glorious pink in their lives?
With love and en pointe enthusiasm,
Emma xx
