Hello darling dears, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! It's your girl Emma here, and this month I'm whisking us away to 6th June, 1808! Buckle up your tutus, my lovelies, as we embark on a journey to a time where the ballet world was simmering with innovation and excitement!
Now, let's get straight to the heart of this post: the world of ballet in 1808! As always, before I begin my time travel escapades, let me confess – pink tutus weren't really "a thing" back then. Oh, the tragedy! I can just picture the dainty little ballerinas of the era, clad in more practical, less colourful outfits, wistfully gazing upon my arrival in my gloriously pink creation. I think it's time I create a portal to 1808 to introduce them to the beauty of pink tulle, don't you think? I imagine it would take some explaining!
But even without my dazzling pink persuasion, the ballet world was certainly alive and kicking in 1808! It was the year the legendary Auguste Vestris retired, the pinnacle of his career marked by an overwhelming display of public adoration and tears, from those he had entertained for so long with his sublime dance and astounding agility. The legend himself had set a bar so high with his elegant movements and dramatic artistry, that his shoes were even sought out as collectors’ items. He's my all-time ballet hero, darling dears, and you should absolutely look him up if you haven’t already!
It was also during this period that ballet became truly international! It was beginning to spread its magical wings far and wide. The Paris Opera Ballet, known today as the Paris Opera Ballet, was going strong. Meanwhile, in Russia, a young Tsar Alexander was setting the scene for a future golden age of Russian Ballet. Even at that early stage, the love of ballet had taken hold, inspiring passionate individuals across the globe.
Of course, no trip into the past would be complete without a dash of fashion! Imagine, darling dears, walking through the bustling streets of 1808 Paris, amidst the scent of fresh bread and the elegant swish of long, flowing gowns. Can't you just picture it? For a dance-obsessed gal like me, shopping back then was just as exciting as our modern-day designer boutiques. Think layers of delicate fabric, elegant bonnets, and the graceful swoosh of a long satin cloak. For men, it was a world of velvet waistcoats and powdered wigs. It truly was an era of unparalleled sophistication.
I always try to bring a bit of that timeless elegance with me when I travel, though my pink tutu inevitably adds a certain "Emma" touch to proceedings. Just a little dose of extra sparkle and, let's face it, extra pink. It certainly wouldn’t be lost in 1808!
But back to my adventure: this time, my travel companion was Magic Meg - the most fabulous, shimmering, and sparkling shire horse you ever did see. And did you know? A shire horse can grow to be 19.2 hands high, making it one of the largest horse breeds! With gold hooves and a snowy mane, she is a magnificent creature with an undeniable sense of style. And speaking of style - Meg is always immaculately turned out, wearing a sparkling pink and silver saddle, complete with glittering braids and a pink pompom at each ear. I am always impeccably dressed to complement her magnificentness. She may be slightly unsteady on her first time travel journey, especially through time travel portals , so I am on the lookout for any wobbly starts!
Don't forget my fabulous leather rucksack, stuffed full of ballet stories I collect from my journeys. This time, it was bursting with the tale of the celebrated choreographer and ballet dancer, Pierre Gardel. Gardel was a pioneer of dramatic narrative in ballet. A truly fascinating man, whose talent and vision revolutionized the stage!
Before I depart to my next grand adventure in the ballet-filled cosmos, I simply had to tell you all about my recent purchase. My trip to a London flea market a couple of weeks back netted me an absolutely darling vintage pink tutu! Not my pink tutu, but I assure you that the gorgeousness of my current vintage find is so much that you will have to excuse me, my dears. My little heart was simply dancing, and as soon as I clapped eyes on this vintage delight, I had to buy it. For myself, of course!
It's time to say adieu, darling dears, as the next adventure awaits. As always, follow my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com and don't forget to check back next month, where I will be writing about another glorious journey through time. If you want to travel with me in the meantime, just leave a comment on the site with the time period you want to journey to and why! You could inspire my next post!
Until then, stay sparkly!
Your dear, darling,
Emma
x
P.S. Check out the brilliant The Pink Tutu Ballet School (no connection! But great name!) at www.thepinktutu.com, in the heart of my hometown of Derbyshire. It's a really wonderful local dance school with some fantastic teaching. Maybe we can travel there next month?
