Hello, darling dears! It's Emma here, back from another fabulous ballet escapade, and let me tell you, this month's trip was positively sparkling! This time, Magic Meg and I took a gallop through time all the way back to 1761, to the 9th of September to be exact. Let me just say, that pink was a total sensation then! Now, you might think pink is a bit, shall we say, modern? But think again, dearies! You see, in this magical, historical ballet journey, it all started with a stunning royal event…
The King's Birthday, in a Whirl of Pink!
Now, you must know that September 9th, 1761 was no ordinary day. It was none other than King George III's birthday! I could barely contain myself as I arrived at the palace, seeing all those frilly powdered wigs and dazzling jewels. Even the royal guards looked a bit more debonair that day. They’d gathered in St. James’s Park for a magnificent birthday ball.
And oh, the dresses! A sea of silk, satin, and oh my, did I spot the most exquisite shade of pink on a beautiful Duchess's gown! I even noticed a charming gentleman who had carefully coordinated his pink satin waistcoat with a pink feather in his hat. Yes, pink was indeed a hit! But hold onto your tiaras, ladies, there was something much bigger planned for the King's celebration...
A Spectacular Ballet Performance!
Imagine my delight, dear friends! I wasn't just whisked to the most exciting historical ballet event - imagine this, right there in front of King George III! A spectacular performance by the famous Italian dancer, Carlo Blasis.
You all know how much I love watching ballets, and the artistry that went into each graceful leap, each perfectly poised turn, oh my, it was exquisite! Carlo Blasis was truly an inspiration. This gifted dancer was famed for his expressive movements and innovative steps, so you can bet your best pointe shoes this was a show-stopper! I can tell you the crowd went wild after every leap and pirouette! I found a programme later at a charming antique shop near the palace. A whole treasure trove of historical memorabilia, a little secret gem of the 1760s! I snagged some pretty ribbon trim for my next ballet costume too – don’t you just love those antique accents?!
A Parisian Fashionista in 1761?
Of course, darling dears, it wasn't only ballet that captured my attention! You all know that fashion is my other passion. And let me tell you, 1761 was positively bursting with elegance!
Did you know, for instance, that Parisian fashion was a HUGE hit all over the globe then? And wouldn’t you know it, London was positively buzzing with stylish trends! From grand hoop skirts to dainty ruffles, it was the epitome of elegance! Imagine, it was during this very year that men's wigs became immensely popular – think about all those beautiful, powdered hairstyles and how glamorous those 18th-century gentleman were!
But back to pink, my favourite hue! Did you know, a certain Queen Marie Antoinette would become renowned for her flamboyant use of pink in fashion?! This delightful shade of rosy beauty was her signature and it is so interesting how this hue from history resonates to the present!
Memories in my Ballet Rucksack!
Oh, and you should see the collection of souvenirs I found on this trip! I snagged some authentic fabric swatches and gorgeous illustrations, all safely nestled in my trusty, leather ballet rucksack! Each of these snippets will be carefully added to my growing collection, to document this amazing trip back in time.
I must say, darling dears, traveling to 1761 was a positively delightful experience, so don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com every month to see where Magic Meg and I galavant off to next! And, of course, never forget to rock a pink tutu whenever possible, it’s all about that inner ballerina! Until then, let’s all remember to twirl, dream, and find our inner sparkle, even if it takes a bit of historical time travel to do so!
Your forever fabulous,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget, all my time travels are funded by my dance performances – so please do check out my latest shows in Derbyshire! A bit of historical knowledge and a love of dance goes a long way! 💖
