Hello my lovely ballet-loving darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and welcome to another enchanting adventure!
This month, I've galloped on the back of Magic Meg (did you see the glitter in her white mane and tail? Just breathtaking!), all the way back to 1st January 1730! Oh, the stories I have to tell! And believe me, I'm all about the stories - that's why I pack my little leather rucksack to the brim with vintage ballet treasures, every time I visit a bygone era!
First off, I had to visit the Opera House in Paris. Imagine - they were just starting to introduce ballet! Yes, ballet was still a baby in those days, and the French were really giving it a good go. The Italians had created this wonderful artform, and now, Paris was taking it by storm.
Just picturing those beautifully dressed Parisian ladies in their powder puffs and elegant silks! I imagine their dresses must have swirled and flowed like tulle tutus, just waiting for a graceful ballerina to make her entrance. But what's a Parisian soirée without a dance? That's when my favourite part of time-travelling comes into play!
Now, let me tell you a little secret... when I step into the past, Magic Meg and I become part of the story, part of the energy of that era! In the theatre, with the music, the lights, the atmosphere, I actually become a character, a hidden observer! I can see how people move, their styles, the fashion, and imagine the emotions that fill the room as the dancers leap and twirl.
Speaking of leap and twirl... I just had to try out the dance style! Can you believe ballet was so different in those days? I learned a new way of holding my arms, how to step with a special kind of rhythm - a lot of fancy footwork with light steps and delicate arm movements. And that grand jeté? Oh my! You wouldn't believe how high they jumped, just by bending their knees. Now, there's a trick I'll definitely be practicing in my next class!
Back then, there wasn't the tutus like we have today - you know, those pink wonders! They danced with skirts, more flowing and delicate, a bit like the ladies in paintings. They didn't have ballet shoes as we know them - only soft, leather slippers - which was perfect for showing off the precise movements and elegance.
However, the beauty of ballet is, it never changes its heart. I could see the pure passion in the dancers' eyes, their dedication to their craft. Ballet is so much more than just dance moves; it's about art, storytelling, passion and connection with the audience - all the things we still appreciate today.
My next stop was a ballet school in London! Remember, it's a completely different time - so naturally, ballet training was also quite different. They wouldn't have had big classes, with hundreds of students leaping and twirling. There might only have been a handful of students - who were trained to be courtiers, part of the royal entertainment. So it was all very focused on the court style, precise movements and elegant postures.
Oh, and did I tell you about my amazing souvenir? A tiny, delicate shoe! Not a proper ballet shoe, you understand, but a leather slipper, soft and supple - just like the ones the London ballerinas used to wear! And the coolest part? The slipper has the royal seal stamped on the leather!
Time to go back to the present for now - and, my lovelies, I'm so excited to tell you what else I discovered on my journey! Next month, I'll share all about the fashion trends and the delicious pastries I tried. (Let's just say there was a little too much of the French éclair... can you blame a girl?!)
Oh! And, please, do tell me your favourite time period in history! I want to hear your ballet stories - perhaps there are some hidden gems of the past you can share with me? Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, @pinktututimetravels for photos and ballet inspiration! And visit our website at www.pink-tutu.com to catch up on all my time travel tales. Remember, darling, every adventure needs a touch of pink tutu!
See you all soon, and happy dancing!
With sparkly ballet shoes and endless pink-tutu love,
Emma xx
