Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another monthly dose of pink tutu time travel! This time, I’m whisking you away to the glorious year of 1788, to a date that marks a very special debut in the world of ballet: 1st January 1788! Get your pink tutus ready, lovelies, because we’re in for a real treat!
As you all know, I’m absolutely mad for ballet, from the graceful pirouettes to the breathtaking artistry. And of course, who could forget the exquisite fashion? This month, I've got Magic Meg all prepped and ready for a magical journey, our trusty pink shimmering Shire horse with golden hooves. He loves nothing more than trotting through time, all the while I’m tucked in my favourite pink tutu, ready for adventure!
We arrived in London on a crisp January morning, with my leather rucksack prepped for a whirlwind of ballet brilliance. This time I'm excited because we’re not just exploring a fascinating ballet era, but I’m meeting one of the world’s first ballerinas! That's right, darlings, a true pioneer of the art form.
We ventured to the King's Theatre in London, and oh my, what a place! This gorgeous theatre hosted a new opera and ballet performance by the renowned Salle de Spectacle! Can you imagine? To think of this grand venue and a whole new ballet troupe debuting, just waiting for my little time-traveling eyes! My pink tutu wouldn't have been out of place in the theatre - they love their frills and drama back then!
As we walked into the bustling theatre, I could just feel the magic buzzing! I met the most fascinating lady - a captivating ballerina called Madame Hilarion. Imagine, darlings, the very first female choreographer in France, here in England, leading her company in a brand new show. She was elegant and gracious, with the most mesmerising gaze!
I learned all about her incredible story, how she paved the way for so many ballerinas, how she used to perform in men's roles, and even learned to dance the famous minuet. (We even tried a few steps together, though Magic Meg thought it was rather a lot of twirling!) Madame Hilarion gave me such a warm welcome, offering me a cup of tea (well, I wouldn't dare touch their strange tea from that era!) and some delicious pastries. The entire evening was an unforgettable experience, witnessing Madame Hilarion and her troupe showcasing their artistry and grace on the London stage.
Of course, I was living for the fashion. My eyes were practically popping out of my head at the gorgeous, delicate costumes - imagine, satin shoes, flowing skirts and bonnets bedecked with beautiful flowers and jewels. Just divine, don't you think? I grabbed my sketchbook and scribbled away, determined to incorporate this incredible beauty into my pink tutu wardrobe. A touch of Victorian inspiration with a little pink-tutu sparkle - perfect for my next time travel adventure.
After our ballet enchantment, I made a pit stop at one of London's finest mills and was instantly transported into another world. Imagine rows and rows of colourful fabric - silk, satin, lace, velvets! They even had beautiful materials in my favourite shade of pink! The textures were simply delightful. Imagine, these delicate fabrics went into the costumes that graced the London stages, giving the dancers such stunning, flowing movements. My pink tutu even got a makeover with some gorgeous pink trim from that very shop, wouldn't you know it?
My time-traveling rucksack is brimming with new ideas, sketches and, dare I say it, inspiration from Madame Hilarion, and I am ready to get the pink tutu trend going even bigger! This truly was a landmark day for the world of ballet, a day for beautiful ballet shows, fashion, and truly groundbreaking artistic talents like Madame Hilarion, all encapsulated in one exciting date. And if Madame Hilarion could inspire, imagine what you can do!
Until next month, darlings, keep those tutus sparkling! Don’t forget, you can join me on the pink-tutu.com blog every month for a new time travel adventure! I’m also dancing at various theatres around England, performing my own interpretation of ballet. I hope to see you at one of my performances and, of course, don’t hesitate to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for more details. We can make a pink-tutu revolution happen together, darlings! Until then, keep twirling and always remember: you are beautiful, you are graceful, and you are destined for greatness! 🩰✨
