Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where we hop through history on the back of my glorious steed, Magic Meg, spreading a little pink tulle and ballerina joy along the way!
This month, we're venturing to 1815, specifically the 5th of May! It's been a whirlwind month already, filled with delightful discoveries and encounters in the ever-evolving world of ballet.
Now, you all know how much I adore ballet. It's the art form that whispers secrets to my soul, paints my heart with magic, and makes me want to twirl until the world is a blurry ballet of beauty! It's been my absolute joy to share this love with you through these Pink Tutu Travels posts, each one a peek into the wondrous world of dance throughout history. And let's be honest, what better way to celebrate all things ballet than by wearing a pink tutu, right?!
Pink Tutu Travels: Post 1853
As always, Magic Meg and I are on a mission to find the most fabulous ballet stories from across the globe, filling our backpacks with glittering jewels and captivating tales for you all to enjoy! I just love collecting snippets of ballet history - every old program, vintage costume design, and forgotten anecdote feels like a treasure, and with every piece, the stories come to life in my imagination!
So, settle in, my dear readers, and prepare to be swept away! It's time for another exhilarating adventure into the ballet world!
A Royal Ballet Gala in Vienna
The 5th of May, 1815 was a day filled with enchanting waltzes and elegant pirouettes, at least in Vienna, Austria. The Vienna Opera House was aglow, the stage bathed in golden light, as the Royal Ballet graced the audience with their skill and grace. The air hummed with anticipation and the clatter of horses hooves brought us closer to the main entrance of the Vienna Opera House as we, Meg and I, galloped our way to a front row seat. What an exciting day for ballet and how utterly divine that the lovely Marie Taglioni was performing tonight. It's truly incredible that women in this era were considered true artists, rather than mere entertainers! Marie Taglioni and her iconic leaps and graceful pointe work stole my heart - talk about an inspiring role model! I could imagine myself taking her place on the stage, my pink tutu swirling in the spotlight as I embodied the stories of the ballet.
The Birth of the Ballet Slipper
This era was a particularly fascinating one for ballet fashion. Before 1815, ballerinas had to improvise with their footwear, often wearing heeled slippers that made it quite challenging to move freely. However, in this period, we witnessed a pivotal step forward: the birth of the ballet slipper. You can't even imagine ballet without those simple, delicate shoes, right?! It was all thanks to Marie Taglioni who started performing in pointe shoes – how groundbreaking! I've been reading some rather fascinating books about the art and science of these early point shoes - truly amazing. I’ve also taken a sneak peek at her shoes for the upcoming show, and the exquisite details, the intricate embroidery, the craftsmanship, and those luscious colours - a dream for any ballet fan, like me! They make you feel powerful and feminine - what's not to love? And, of course, there's nothing like seeing these masterpieces of dance performed in front of a large audience, truly, the best view from the best seat in the house!
A Romantic Dance Era Begins
This time period marked a significant transition for ballet. It's known as the Romantic Era in the history of dance! Oh, the romantic storylines, the magical melodies, and those heartfelt performances - I felt the passion reverberating through the theater. I'm reading all I can about this new movement, which is a complete change from the grandeur of the past - and there is definitely a new lightness in the way people move, how much emphasis they place on a delicate approach to dancing. Oh my, I do adore romantic era ballet, which makes me all the more enthusiastic to discover what my favourite ballet is going to be from this era.
Back to Reality (and my Pink Tutu)
As I'm writing this, it’s a bittersweet experience. It’s magical to travel through history and learn so much, but coming back to my everyday life is quite difficult - what to wear for ballet class, will my favourite vintage shops have restocked the point shoes I want, have my ballet friends seen that fabulous ballet on television? There's something exhilarating about wearing my own pink tutu at a local dance competition and watching everyone’s amazement when they realize this young dancer loves this shade. And then of course, I get the honour of taking the bow at the end - my favourite part. I can't resist ending this post with my beloved pink tutu, a symbol of elegance, playfulness, and my unwavering passion for ballet! My latest bespoke, one of a kind vintage tulle creation will be ready by the end of this month and I simply can’t wait to show it to you - you all! So join me in celebrating the beauty of ballet, the elegance of pink tutus, and the magic of time travel, because darling, there’s nothing more exquisite!
Remember, you can join me every month on www.pink-tutu.com for new ballet adventures! Until next time, darling readers, let’s all spread the joy of ballet, and may your every pirouette be filled with pink-tutu happiness!
Yours in swirling tutus and time-traveling adventures,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to share your favourite ballet memories, dance photos, and pink-tutu outfit ideas in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you!
