Hello darling! It's Emma here, your favourite time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away to the glorious past! Today, I'm heading back to a chilly December in 1716. It’s December and, of course, we all know that’s the month of Christmas - so my dear Magic Meg is going to be especially helpful, with a warm pink blanket thrown over her saddle.
Now, December 1716? It's a rather intriguing date! There was a ballet premiere in Venice, but my real heart is set on seeing a new fashion creation from Parisian Mademoiselle Le Brun! Her creations are divine and absolutely embody the romanticism of the age. I bet they have pink silk ribbon trimming - my absolute favourite. I'm so hoping to add a beautiful example of Le Brun’s craftsmanship to my rucksack. I’ve started to create my own little museum dedicated to the history of ballet and, let’s face it, it’s absolutely screaming out for a stunning French design!
A Visit to Paris: Mademoiselle Le Brun & The Art of the RobeAh, Paris! The city of lights, fashion, and love! It was a place of artistic expression, brimming with inspiration. The theatres were alive with stories, the cobbled streets resonated with the joyful chatter of Parisian life, and of course, the fashion was utterly captivating. I am positively giddy with excitement at the thought of seeing this creation.
There were also wonderful costumes being worn for operas and ballets. I think about how wonderful it must have been to go to the theatre back in those days. Just imagine the atmosphere, the excitement in the air! To see the dancing, the beauty of the costumes, the elegance of the performances - just utterly glorious! You can just imagine that the audience was mesmerised, transported to a world of dreams.
And, I love those big elaborate hairstyles, they're like a ballet all on their own! But, to be honest, I love the way people in this time period are experimenting with beauty and making such personal statements.
This particular day, my heart was set on visiting Mademoiselle Le Brun's shop. Imagine, walking through those grand old streets of Paris! Such romance in the very air itself! It's like stepping into a painting - oh my, it's so romantic! The scent of bread wafting from nearby bakeries, the laughter of children playing, the delicate floral arrangements on the stalls … and Mademoiselle Le Brun, creating these amazing designs that speak to an age of revolution in fashion. It truly was a dream.
Mademoiselle Le Brun is such a talented woman. She understands that clothes aren't just about practicality but about expressing a woman's personality and story. If we could step into her time, we’d have a ball choosing our ideal garments, wouldn't we?
My little muse thinks so! She had been particularly entranced by some fabric made with silver thread woven with floral designs. It looked like something from a dream! If I can find some similar material in Derbyshire, I might commission a tutu based on it. Imagine that! A tutu for modern-day times with an 18th-century twist. It might take some convincing for Mum and Dad but with a little glitter, it is bound to happen.
Speaking of dreams, imagine having the opportunity to see the Ballet on this very date, 12th December 1716, right here in Venice, right now! In the glorious Venetian Teatro San Cassiano! How delightful!
This is a night of magical Italian excitement and I bet there is delicious ice cream to be had in the square beforehand. Imagine yourself, darling! The Venetian air so filled with laughter and beautiful melodies from street musicians - a truly delightful experience! This beautiful city would make a lovely setting for a modern-day ballet performance, perhaps with some inspiration from their very own carnival celebration.
It would truly be magical and the dancing itself … well, simply sensational. I know the ballerina’s steps would be full of grace and light - after all, this is the beginning of Ballet in Venice! So much change, such elegance, such romance, oh, what joy! Imagine, my sweet friends, the grand designs on those theatrical costumes! We've already discussed Mademoiselle Le Brun but those Italian designers, those Venetian designers, they had so much style and I’m quite sure the colours of pink and scarlet will be highly favoured!
Magic Meg and The Joy of PinkWhat else, dear readers? Well, I've been giving a lot of thought about a truly grand ballet in celebration of pink and the world’s new fascination with romanticism. After all, how much fun would it be to get the whole world in pink tutus?
You can just picture it. An explosion of the colour! I bet a stage, fully bathed in pink lighting, would be a lovely touch - an artistic way to make the entire room just simply feel fabulous! This ballet wouldn't only tell stories about dreams and desires; it would also be a love letter to fashion, an ode to the elegance and beauty that we find in the colour pink, in delicate fabrics, and in that magical way pink twirls so magnificently.
Even Magic Meg has embraced this theme, with a new ribbon fashioned around her silver mane and a little bow tied on her ears! As soon as we return, I'll create a bespoke, shimmery pink tutu just for her! Pink tutus for all, I say! Imagine the most amazing world, sparkling with all our favourite shade - that’s the future I am building, darling!
Before we embark on our adventure, you have to give your home a little bit of pink magic, my dears. A beautiful ballet performance, in my favourite pink colours and in celebration of these glorious historic periods, will be one that you can replicate with just a touch of ingenuity and glitter! Don't forget those fabulous ballerina costumes that you see in books! Now, you might not have silk from that Parisian shop but I’ve no doubt you can find something special and use those ribbons to tie them all in perfect bows! Remember those amazing Italian street performers? Now you have to imagine how we might recreate the look of an Italian opera costume in our home. Imagine an apron in a rich burgundy colour - think opera singers with that glorious silk - it’s truly elegant and we can easily create a look in our homes. Now, we all know what happens next! Get those tutu's out and let the dance begin. It's time to make history, darling! And for my new, next blog post: I will be telling you all about the time when I visited 19th Century Saint Petersburg for the Imperial Ballet in the 1840s and then on to see the fashion on display! It truly was a ballet-loving day!
Until next time, dear readers! Stay rosy and glamorous, always! And remember: The world needs more pink, and that pink can be you!
Emma. xx www.pink-tutu.com
