Hello fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident pink-loving, ballet-obsessed time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another whirlwind journey through the world of ballet! Today, we’re hopping aboard Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun white silk, and heading back to August 8th, 1787.
Remember that gorgeous pink tutu I picked up at a vintage boutique in Paris last week? It's feeling incredibly apt for our trip today! The 18th century was a glorious era for fashion, and what better way to explore it than in a vibrant pink tutu, the colour of my absolute dreams!
As I saddle up Magic Meg, she whinnies excitedly. You know I adore our little adventures, and so does my four-legged, pink-loving friend! Now, let's travel back in time!
A Touch of Theatre:
Upon arrival in 1787, the air is abuzz with anticipation. I’m immediately whisked back to a world of candlelit theatres and ornate costumes. The ballet world is bustling! Though this is centuries before the world knew Tchaikovsky and the Romantic ballet, the French are still holding court when it comes to all things elegant and theatrical.
I find myself at the Théâtre du Marais in Paris. The crowd is well-dressed and excited for the evening’s performance: La Fontainebleau, a charming, somewhat naughty little ballet featuring charming shepherdesses and, of course, a charmingly roguish shepherd who seems rather intent on causing some romantic chaos! It’s all quite playful, full of delicate pirouettes and joyous leaps. A bit like a fun little peek into the world of French ballet just as it was beginning to take shape!
Collecting Ballet Lore
Being here, feeling the magic of that Parisian theatre, really reinforces how important it is to celebrate all the eras that contributed to the ballet world we know and love today. I’m eager to find out more, so I whip out my trusty leather rucksack and settle in for a little chat with some local ballet fans. They’re thrilled to share stories about the ballerinas of the era, like the beautiful Marie Camargo, a celebrated dancer who, dare I say, paved the way for some of the more flamboyant ballerinas of the future. She even helped revolutionize how ballerinas wore their tutus, making them shorter and lighter! It’s exciting to imagine her in that pink tutu, whirling through the Parisian stages with absolute confidence.
Pink Tutus for Everyone!
As the evening draws to a close, I am feeling inspired and rather rosy, just like my tutu. Why wouldn't pink be perfect for any age, shape or size? The colours of dance and the energy they bring out are just part of that amazing world. A little touch of colour, a splash of individuality - why not go for the ultimate pink ballet fashion statement? And to top it off, it makes the perfect backdrop for my collection of antique ballet books and programs, too. They're lovely to look at, and so evocative of bygone eras!
Fashion Fix:
Before heading back to Derbyshire and my cosy, pink-hued flat, I pop into a shop filled with silk and velvet – it's an 18th-century fashionista’s dream! They’ve got the most beautiful fabrics! I just had to purchase a swathe of gorgeous silk in that fabulous rosy pink for a new tutu! It’s always a delight to discover what inspired those stunning ballerina costumes. After all, it's the perfect accessory for my travels!
So, fellow time-travelling ballerinas, until next month, remember:
- Pink is never wrong!
- There’s a story in every era of ballet history!
- Let's embrace those vintage tutus and let them inspire our love of the art form.
Join me on pink-tutu.com next month, and we'll journey to another ballet milestone in time.
And now, back to Derbyshire with my new treasures - and a vision of a pink-filled future!
Until next time!
Love,
Emma
