Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your one-stop shop for all things ballet, time travel, and (of course) pink! This month, I'm whisking you away to the 10th of October 1783, and let me tell you, the French court was not the only place that was absolutely abuzz!
Now, my darling readers, before I divulge the delights of this trip, let me paint you a picture of what I wore, as per usual, a gorgeous pink tutu! This time, it was a confection of hand-stitched silk tulle, with layers of frothy net that would have made even a ballerina swan proud. The colour, a blushing rose shade, perfectly complemented the pink velvet sash that I tied around my waist, accentuating the grace of my movements. It's a look I simply had to wear to honour the very grand Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France at this time, a queen renowned for her elegant tastes and fashion.
Riding Through the Years with Magic Meg
So, where were we travelling to? The Royal Palace of Versailles! Yes, darling, none other than the iconic Palace of Versailles, famed for its gardens, lavish halls, and (as I found out) its ballet scene!
Magic Meg, my trusty shire horse, snorted happily, her golden hooves twinkling as we galloped across time and space. Her long white mane and tail streamed like clouds behind her, the pink shimmering sheen of her coat matching my own, vibrant tutu perfectly. It felt just like dancing with the wind.
We arrived in the grand courtyard of the Palace of Versailles in a flurry of feathers, with my rucksack, stuffed with ballet treasures, bouncing against my back. I'd already found a gorgeous, worn dance shoe from a royal court in Florence. That was last month's trip! So exciting. The shoe had a sparkly gold strap.
Marie Antoinette, Ballet and Fashion
Now, the Palace of Versailles was a hotbed of dance in 1783. Even Queen Marie Antoinette, was said to be a fervent fan. Can you imagine, darling, her grace and style, dancing a waltz, the music floating on the air like perfume? It made me ache to see a performance, and I knew, somewhere, a performance was brewing.
It was a Wednesday night in Paris. I always felt more magical and empowered in France. As we trotted towards the Opéra de Paris, I spotted people gathering, dressed in their finery, with an air of excitement.
A Performance for the Ages
There it was! A large troupe of dancers performing on the stage of the grand opera house! This is how they did ballet back then – a performance designed to delight the audience. Not just a school or a studio or even a performance stage.
My heart did a little leap! I snuck inside, my heart pounding like a drummer. It was magnificent! A grand hall filled with people, the light glittering on the shimmering dresses and the elegant gentlemen, while dancers twirled on the stage with a power and precision that only centuries of tradition could have brought about.
The entire theatre buzzed with applause as the dance ended. I watched them move – so expressive! No modern dance school, (and darling, you know I’m all about my ballet) could hope to match the elegance of their movements.
Sharing The Ballet Love
I danced with the ballet dancers that night. They were so excited to hear that the love of dance would never fade. I explained to them the evolution of dance through the ages, starting in ancient Greece all the way through to modern-day productions on stage. I gave them a little demonstration of a typical ballet barre that I practice with my classmates.
My heart was full of a feeling I can't describe. To have danced with dancers of the 1700s and seen how they embodied the spirit of the ballet. To feel the energy that surged from the performance was magical. And you know me – I always collect mementos on my travels. Tonight it was a beautiful, silver ballet brooch, and I added it to my growing collection in my leather rucksack. I have so many lovely stories to share.
A Dream Come True
My travels are about so much more than simply a fashion show. It’s about bringing people together, inspiring them, and spreading the joy of ballet through every corner of the world. And wouldn’t you know it – by the end of my time travelling adventures, I was on a mission to spread the pink tutu love across history, and perhaps inspire even the Queen of France to add some pink to her royal wardrobe! After all, a touch of pink adds a dash of whimsical elegance, a spark of fun, to everything, don't you agree? I'm already planning my next trip, and who knows what dazzling, historical wonders we will discover together!
And that’s my ballet time travelling adventures for October! It was quite the glamorous whirlwind! Join me for my next travel post, where I might be off to a 1920s Chicago dance club to see a Charleston performance and explore the roaring 20s. Do subscribe and I’ll catch you on www.pink-tutu.com next month! Until then, darlings, let's keep twirling, leaping, and shining!
