Hello my dearest ballet bunnies! It's Emma here, back with another whirlwind adventure through time. This month, I found myself back in 1801, landing in none other than Paris! Imagine my excitement, stepping onto the cobbled streets, with the Seine glittering in the autumn sunlight, my trusty steed Magic Meg pawing the ground impatiently. Now, let's rewind to see how I arrived at this magnificent Parisian rendezvous...
I've been researching 18th and 19th-century ballet like a mad woman, because darling, this is the era of the ballerinas that really blew the doors off! With every show they gave, they redefined beauty, athleticism, and performance itself! Marie Camargo, Marie Salle, and, most famously, Mademoiselle Camargo's own daughter, Marie Sallé, paved the way for these incredible women!
And now, on this glorious 11th November, we find ourselves in a time just after the French Revolution. It's a thrilling period in history! Everyone’s trying to rebuild and move on, and it seems that even the arts are starting to blossom again! I simply had to find out more.
Imagine, if you will, my trusty pink tutu (this time it’s a vintage-inspired design with swirling satin and sparkling embroidery) catching the Parisian sun as Magic Meg gallops into town! She's truly a marvel of a horse, you know? She looks like she’s been dusted in fairy dust – sparkling pink mane and tail flowing behind her, and her hooves, like polished gold, are a perfect match for my gorgeous new shoes! She really is a ballet horse through and through!
Right away, I headed to the Theatre de l'Opera, the beating heart of the Parisian theatre world! What a building, darlings, truly magnificent! With a soaring archway and grand staircase, you feel transported into a whole different era before you even set foot inside. I have to tell you, it really gets the heart pumping with anticipation. And oh, the fashion! Lace, velvet, silks, ruffles – it's like a rainbow explosion of exquisite, bold colour and fabulous flourishes. My rucksack (the one I fill with bits and bobs from each era) was already overflowing with ideas!
Ballet at the Theatre de l'Opera:
But I must confess, darlings, the theatre had an element of 'off limits' about it. With my trusty tutu in tow (and, yes, of course, a stunning, matching velvet bolero!), it was a bit hard to blend in! Even with the grandeur, and even though they seemed to have a penchant for the dramatic (a touch too much for my liking, in some cases!), they were very rigid when it came to dress. They had these things called corsets, with restrictive bodices and layers of fabric that could practically suffocate a person! I must confess, it just wasn't quite the same without my little bit of playful pink tulle!
Still, I got the full theatre experience, and let me tell you, even through a lace curtain peek, I managed to soak it all in!
The stage had this incredible set that looked like a fairy tale forest. And the performers, oh, those costumes! Silk, brocade, plumes, sparkling jewelry… they even had these masks with a painted look – so elegant! I was completely mesmerized. The story was some love story, a drama, lots of twirls, and yes, some of the movements I know so well, even though we hadn’t seen the grand pas de deux emerge yet.
Imagine! The world had yet to be dazzled by the genius of choreography that the ballerinas of the 19th century were about to unveil. This was the world where, not long after, my own personal heroines, Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Elssler would leap and twirl across the world’s grand stages. I could practically feel the buzz of excitement in the air, knowing what lay just around the corner.
But let’s get back to those amazing clothes!
The ladies I saw were decked out in silk dresses with puffed sleeves and waists cinched so tightly I almost passed out. It seemed as if I'd stumbled upon the first fashion week ever – but with way more flourishes and layers. These Parisian ladies were masters of colour, detail and drama. Some ladies even wore veils and hats decorated with jewels. It was quite an eye opener – even if they were very serious, unlike the ballet!
There was one particularly fabulous lady with a stunning fur wrap. As she strolled through the crowd, she really caught my eye, the bold shades of ruby and sapphire on her dress made such a splash – she was living in full bloom!
The fashionistas I met seemed fascinated by my pink tutu. They thought it was the ne plus ultra, just adorable! Well, let's be honest, darlings, when it's worn by moi, who could resist?! But I was trying to blend in, and my tutuline, well, it did make me stand out. It’s almost as if pink tutus are timelessly attractive to every generation - so much so that you wouldn’t even need time travel! It must be the power of pink - even when worn in the midst of velvet and lace and lace. I couldn’t help thinking it was totally appropriate for the opera, but a little more rebellious too! Oh my gosh, maybe there are ways to wear time travel in itself. A tutuline as a symbol for the times, for the future even!
I did manage to catch some performances from behind the curtain (again, you really couldn’t go wrong with the ‘peek-a-boo’ method in such an iconic place!) And darling, let me tell you, the ballet de l’Opera was pretty impressive even back then. All the performers had this incredible passion, and there was something about those simple, almost folk-like steps and intricate patterns, that truly transported me back in time. It really got me thinking – what was going to come next in the world of ballet? And of course, what fabulous fashions would dance upon these hallowed stages next!
A Little Fashion Inspiration for You:
Now, of course, it wasn't just ballet on my Parisian itinerary. A little shopping is always a good idea when I’m time travelling. What's the best way to understand the era, darlings, if not by taking it all in, with the very best accessories! And I’ll tell you now – 1801 Paris has got some fabulous places for the ballet-inspired soul!
The best thing about this Parisian fashion, was the sense of fun! Every detail seemed to be about individuality and a real, unique take on the latest trend. It made me think, as a time traveler, what could I create in my own collection, what elements could I take forward into modern design! There was even this fascinating collection of ribbons, from a local fabricant (who made me promise never to mention their secret techniques in my time-travelling blogs!), and with a combination of colour, and shimmery embroidery, you could literally paint yourself on canvas – not as literal as the make up trend they have here, I suppose! It was truly like magic - you really couldn’t go wrong with their combination of colour and form!
As my time in Paris drew to a close, and as I patted Magic Meg on her silky pink flanks – you must meet this beautiful creature one day! - I couldn't help but reflect on how much ballet has changed, and how much it’s still stayed the same! Ballet may not be as strict today, and fashion may be a little more adventurous in our time - tutus come in every colour and there’s so much freedom – but I wouldn't trade it for the world! After all, even with these crazy, incredible, changes, ballet still retains its essence. And if there's anything that can survive centuries, darling, it's our ballet soul!
My darling dancers, I know I’m on a quest to encourage you to wear pink tutus - and my heart really sings with the idea of spreading the love! - but remember, the magic of ballet truly is the ability to dream big and make a splash with every step you take! Just look around! You could find an inspiration right next door to your studio. I don’t just mean a tutuline, but even those fabulous floral headdresses - the art world doesn’t end with ballet, and my explorations across the times remind me, every day, how important fashion and its role in theatre, and even politics! Let me know in the comments below, what is YOUR inspiration for your unique dance-inspired life, and we’ll share all these creative thoughts on my website! Let's #DanceOnTheWorld!
Remember, you can follow my journeys on www.pink-tutu.com. Until next month, I’m off to prepare for the Tutu Party, where the dancers are the stars! You are the dance-magic and with each little step, and with each sparkle you will spread joy to the whole world!
Until then,
Your Emma!
