#BalletHistory during 1793 10 October

Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends!

Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and a whole heap of pink! It’s Emma here, your resident time-travelling ballerina, and this month, we’re heading to Paris! But not the glamorous, fashion-forward Paris of today – no, we’re diving into the revolutionary Paris of 1793. Hold on to your tutus, darling, it's going to be a whirlwind!

This post marks the 1,594th adventure of Pink Tutu Time Travels! (Can you believe it?!) It’s thanks to you, my gorgeous readers, that my journey across the ages continues. You’ve helped me fund my time travels with your donations and endless enthusiasm for pink tutus – it makes my heart do a pirouette! Speaking of funding, I've got a fantastic ballet performance lined up in Derby this month. It's a modern twist on Giselle, complete with a sprinkle of pink, naturally! But more on that later!

Right now, we're taking a ride on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg, the pinkest Shire you've ever laid eyes on. She has the most dazzling hooves you've ever seen – literally gilded in pure gold! Her tail and mane are a snow-white waterfall cascading over her magnificent pink body, shimmering with a thousand tiny sparkling diamonds. Magic Meg absolutely adores pink tutus, by the way, and often likes to graze on the most beautiful wild pink wildflowers, turning her breath into fluffy clouds of shimmering pink mist. Today, we're heading towards Paris! I'm giddy with excitement! This trip will be extra special because it’s going to be all about ballet – and revolutionary fashion!

As you all know, 1793 was a turbulent time in Paris. It was the year of the Reign of Terror, and even though the fashion trends were moving towards simplicity and naturalism – with an emphasis on light, delicate fabrics – life wasn’t quite as straightforward as those flowy linen dresses. The revolution was definitely changing the face of Paris, and the world of ballet was no exception. The grand courts, which once hosted extravagant shows and exquisite tutus, were a little out of vogue. The emphasis was shifting away from the aristocracy and toward a more egalitarian approach – even though in reality things were rather far from egalitarian, with much violence and political upheaval.

What does this mean for the ballerinas of Paris, you might ask? It’s all about adapting to change and finding a way to make your art, and your own personal style, fit with the new revolution. I love seeing how they’ve interpreted this! Rather than focusing on opulent satin, tulle and lace, they embraced cotton and muslin, crafting flowing tunics and soft dresses that mirrored the new emphasis on freedom and simplicity. Ballet, instead of being seen in opulent royal settings, was being presented in new, exciting public spaces such as parks, gardens and squares! I absolutely loved seeing dancers in simple dresses with soft fabrics swirling gracefully around their feet in a natural, unconstrained style. They might not have been twirling in my ideal pink tutu, but their movements were expressive, and the natural forms and colours they embraced in their performances and their costumes just screamed freedom and beauty! I simply love seeing how ballet continued to thrive even during such uncertain times.

It was a little nerve wracking traveling to Paris, given the tensions at the time! It’s such a change from the familiar calm of my time. It really made me grateful for the lovely calm beauty of Derbyshire and Magic Meg. I always make sure I’ve got my leather rucksack packed with plenty of time travel essentials – like a warm jumper and some of the best pink marshmallows on earth (never can be too prepared, especially in revolutionary Paris!). But after a very thrilling, bumpy journey, here we are, in the heart of the revolutionary capital! And yes, of course, my rucksack is brimming with sketches, notes, ballet tickets and of course, some seriously stunning pieces of fabric I found at the local markets. The Parisians seem to embrace fashion as a way of expressing themselves – even in these difficult times. It reminds me of how the ballerinas in the city express themselves, dancing with freedom, fluidity and real power!

Speaking of Parisian ballerinas, I’m spending this afternoon backstage at the Theatre de la République, watching the preparations for L'Amour et Psyché. It’s truly mesmerizing! Imagine a ballet full of Grecian goddesses and playful sprites, featuring dazzling choreography and beautifully poetic music. The entire theatre is abuzz with energy. It's the first time I've experienced such passion for the arts in a setting like this! It makes me understand the true impact and power of theatre, particularly in the face of challenging times. The artists and audience alike seem to use theatre to express a certain kind of hope for a better tomorrow, a kind of collective yearning for beauty in the midst of hardship. It's really inspiring! I can feel my ballet heart soaring – all these magnificent ballerinas just seem to float!

The stage itself is a sight to behold. They’re using some simple scenery but it still has that sense of grandeur. The costumes – they’re light, they’re breezy! – there's even a hint of white silk mixed in with the simple cotton gowns and tunics, with gorgeous, sweeping movement. The dancers have such exuberant grace. Theirs are movements born out of both discipline and freedom, which make them so enthralling to watch. I’m definitely adding my own touch of pink – I think they would love it! The way the Parisian dancers twirl, float, and express themselves – they are so talented! Their commitment to art, in a period of revolution and uncertainty is so captivating and I think this era deserves its own tutu tribute. Maybe a pink one, with the colors of a French flag embroidered in with sparkling jewels… and some glitter… maybe a little bit of the white fabric of their gowns. It will have to wait until my next visit though! There’s too much going on around us, for me to get those kind of special embellishments. This trip has definitely opened my eyes to a different perspective on fashion and the world of ballet.

But enough about revolutionary style!

While my primary focus is the beautiful ballet happening here in Paris, it would be remiss of me to ignore the history of this significant date. October 10th 1793. Can you believe it’s the date the execution of Marie Antoinette – one of France’s most influential and fashionable monarchs! While her reign certainly had its flaws, we can’t deny the incredible influence she had on the arts – including, of course, ballet! And you know what I love? She loved dancing! Imagine: elegant gowns with sweeping ruffles and the most magnificent shoes with dazzling pink and pearl buckles. Even in the throes of revolutionary France, it’s so tempting to imagine her dancing amongst the nobles in an enchanting ball, twirling effortlessly. Of course, ballet had to be one of Marie Antoinette’s favourite pastimes. I think if I was a ballerina in Paris back then I would definitely have loved to design a magnificent tutu especially for the queen, featuring exquisite embroidery, opulent pink lace, and maybe a couple of shimmering diamonds sprinkled around for extra royal bling! A true pink and white fairy tale for her royal feet.

### Back in the Future – With a Pink Twist

Time flies when you’re dancing through history! My visit to 1793 Paris was definitely a memorable experience. A pink and revolutionary spectacle to be remembered! My journey reminds me that ballet has been evolving and adapting throughout the centuries. We can learn from the dancers of the past who found ways to flourish even in the midst of revolutionary changes – not to mention embrace every pink detail in our tutu dreams!

Time to get back on the trusty back of Magic Meg – you can tell by the clouds of glittering pink smoke trailing from her nostrils, she's ready for her return journey. Before we say farewell, I'm urging you to check out the Pink Tutu website! It's full of resources on ballet history and loads of fun tips to design your very own pink tutu, just like the ones I wear through history. (I do recommend trying it on before travelling – not ideal to be time travelling with a new garment. You never know what could happen! – though we've all had our little time travel accidents, haven’t we?!).

Don't forget to subscribe for my next post! Who knows where my next adventure will take me next month. It could be anywhere in history - just be ready for the pinkest time of your life! As always, let me know where you'd like to see me travel next, I'll pack my leather rucksack with pink-themed treasures and, of course, I’ll be sporting the brightest pink tutu I can find! Happy dancing everyone!

See you all next month!

Love,

Emma (your pink tutu Time Traveller extraordinaire)