Hello my darling tutus! Emma here, back again with another thrilling time travel adventure. This month, weāre waltzing back to the glamorous 1780s! I've always loved this period ā just think, the powdered wigs, the exquisite ball gowns, and the early days of ballet! Weāre off to the beautiful Paris Opera House, so put on your best pink tutu, darling, because weāre in for a treat!
Magic Meg, my pink sparkling Shire horse with those golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, snorted excitedly as I loaded up my trusty leather rucksack. This time, I'm on the hunt for anything related to ballet in 1780s France. Imagine! The ballet world is only just taking its first, graceful steps across the stage, and Iām right there, ready to take in all the sights, sounds, and stories.
Remember, my dearest tutu-lovers, that pink tutu fashion wasnāt quite a thing yet. I imagine, had I been strolling the streets of Paris in my present-day pink tulle confection, I would have caused a stir. But who knows, perhaps it would have inspired the start of the pink tutu revolution?
The cobbled streets of Paris hummed with life, carriages clattered, and the scent of fresh pastries filled the air. I parked Meg, who was well used to the strange time travel hijinks, and made my way to the grand old Paris Opera House, its neo-classical faƧade gleaming under the afternoon sun.
Even back in the 1780s, this building, built in the late 17th century, held a majestic air. The very thought of witnessing a ballet within its walls had my heart aflutter! I, as always, looked a bit out of place in my contemporary garb, my pink tutu gleaming among the flowing silk gowns and powdered wigs. Yet, people smiled and some even stopped to admire the lovely shade of my tulle! Who knew pink would be so universally adored!
As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the bustling streets, I found myself standing backstage in a world of hidden creativity. I peeked through a dusty curtain, my eyes widening in amazement at the dancers stretching and limbering. What a sight! These artists were masters of the human body, painting tales with movement.
My heart, it almost leaped out of my chest, my love for ballet a burning ember in my soul, because itās true, even through the centuries, the language of ballet has been constant! I was entranced by their delicate steps, the graceful extension of their limbs, the poetry in their movements. It was truly captivating. In this back-stage area, there was a whole world of bustle and camaraderie that felt timeless. A small group of ballerinas, all adorned in beautiful costumes ā even then, the world of ballet seemed full of exquisite outfits - practiced their movements in front of a mirror, their faces flushed with passion and their movements flowing with a graceful determination. One young dancer looked up and saw me. A curious glint appeared in her eye, but she quickly went back to her steps.
That evening, as the curtain rose, I witnessed the pure magic of ballet. The story, āLe DĆ©serteurā unfolded before me - a tale of love, war, and the trials of life ā all brought to life by the grace and power of the dancers. It was truly unforgettable, my pink tutu rustling in delight in the darkness of the theatre. I even spotted a fellow audience member in a pale blue dress sporting a rather fetching feather boa. Perhaps she was an early adopter of pink-tutu inspired fashion? Iād love to think so.
Oh, darling, the ballet was breathtaking! Even though the techniques had yet to evolve to their present day perfection, the story, the sheer passion of these artists, took me completely by surprise. What a treasure trove to have witnessed.
Now, you know that as soon as a time travel opportunity presents itself, I seize the moment. My rucksack was filled with beautiful little trinkets from this night: a programme of the show, carefully pressed and secured inside a worn and dusty silk bag (such treasures! ), a tattered lace scarf that seemed to be part of an elaborate costume, and even a little pouch of stage powder (pink of course! ). A treasure to remind me of my exciting foray into this part of history.
I think about all these amazing dancers from the 1780s, who inspired and captivated those who came before us and those that will come after. As always, this incredible journey serves as a powerful reminder that the beauty of dance, its passion and its artistry, has captivated audiences through the ages, leaving a mark on history as a powerful form of expression.
Donāt forget, darlings, Iāve collected these beautiful treasures to be displayed on my new āBallet through the Agesā website, coming very soon. You can find my collection on www.pink-tutu.com ā sign up to receive my latest time-travel blog and donāt forget, pink is the new black!
And always remember, if youāre dreaming of time travel, get those dance shoes ready! Iām off to discover the next amazing moment in ballet history. You never know, you might just spot a pink-tutu clad dancer in the middle of a historic ballet performance, so be on the lookout, and let your pink tutu sparkle!
Your Pink Tutu Travel Correspondent, Emma
World of Ballet in August 1780:In this very year, August 8th 1780, at the Paris Opera House, *āLe DĆ©serteurā * was making a splash in the Parisian ballet world. Itās a beautifully complex story, a true ballet experience to enjoy. If you find yourself in the world of ballet in the late 18th century, seek it out! You can still get your pink tutu on at shows in London, Paris, Vienna, and even Madrid and Lisbon. It was an amazing era for ballet as a worldwide artform. I'd love to time travel to those places! Next time, I'll find out about the Italian opera performances in Venice - it's said they're out of this world.
But hey, even though ballet was not quite the international powerhouse it is today, 1780s saw an incredible bloom of new talent! And you just know that means that amazing costumes were involved! The 1780s saw a revolution in fashion. Imagine flowing fabrics, a movement away from elaborate and restrictive gowns toward lighter and airier dresses, the invention of the waistcoat, and a bold adoption of delicate trimmings! This had an enormous impact on the costumes designed for ballets, and let me tell you, darling, the outfits are even more captivating! This year was the dawn of the new-age ballerina costume, bringing an evolution of a flowing yet stylish look - with emphasis on form. This meant that ballet could now capture every elegant motion, bringing to the stage a visual feast!
You can imagine what Iāve collected this month - my little treasures for the āBallet Through the Agesā site! Just thinking about it makes me feel the pink tutu excitement bubbling up!
Stay pink, darlings,
Emma
P.S Did you see that latest ballerina tutu from *House of Xxxxxx * - amazing, don't you think? There are some incredible designs on offer right now in my favourite London boutiques. You know how much I love seeing a fashion-forward dancer at the theater! And always remember ā itās a pink tutu world out there, let's make it happen!
