Hello, darling dears! It's Emma here, back from another whirl through the time stream for the two thousand and fifth post on pink-tutu.com! Fancy a jaunt back to 1st January 1828, you say? Well, strap on your dancing shoes, because Magic Meg and I are about to embark on a journey to a time where ... well, ballet was quite literally going through some rather dramatic changes!
Today, we're off to Paris! Ooh la la! This city is truly the heart of dance in this era - think Marie Taglioni and her breathtaking lightness, the innovative new techniques that are challenging everything we thought we knew about ballet! Think light, ethereal, romantic – all those gorgeous qualities that made ballet so iconic, still so loved, today!
Now, as a bit of a treat for us in the 21st century, I am sporting a beautiful shade of cerise - just a little bit of pink magic, in keeping with my mission - but we'll come back to that!
The magic of Meg!
You know how I do, it wouldn't be a Pink Tutu Travel blog without a bit of fashion fun, and darling dears, let me tell you - this vintage vibe has been so inspiring for my own creations! This trip, I have got to get some fabric samples, we're going shopping, and the vintage shops on rue de la Paix are going to be my paradise for the next few days. My new tutu design will incorporate the very romantic yet structured elegance of the Romantic Era in the finest pale silk and lace, just the thing for a ballerina on a vintage voyage!
As ever, my lovely Meg has had a spa day, gleaming in her pale pink, the shimmer is unreal! The stable in Paris is just the most divine little place you could imagine. Imagine an archway covered with honeysuckle, and walls overflowing with flowers and herbs, the air thick with the scent of hay and blossoms. Honestly, I am going to need some pictures of Meg to show off my trusty travelling companion - we always cause a stir, so much so I am actually being called "la Belle rose" around the city. Fancy a bit of that!
Parisian Inspiration
Paris! Oh darling dears, there is just something so exciting, electric, about Paris in 1828! You can just feel it - the excitement for this new ballet! Everything is about this light, romantic dance, even the architecture is different, think airy interiors, pastel colours - pure Romantic style! And as the cherry on top of this delightful Parisian experience, I was lucky enough to see a show by the illustrious La Taglioni herself, what a performance, pure magic! I even had my pocket notebook open for notes - every step is a lesson. Oh, and the clothes, darling, they are so divine, the gowns are like wafts of dreams. Just think long silk gloves, shimmering lace and flowers in your hair - oh so très chic!
Let me share a little insight about the wonderful world of the Paris Opera House! The ballerinas, the whole feel is so romantic, very different from the ballet schools of my time. Their dedication and skill are inspirational - no doubt they put their hearts into every turn.
This ballet culture just gets into my bones, darling, I find myself gliding around like I am already dancing, every step a waltz - a joy I wish everyone could experience. And I even got to visit a famous teacher in her studio. Oh, her class was unlike any I have ever seen, the posture, the technique, this style just brings grace to a whole other level. Of course, with Meg tied up outside the studio with her special horse-tea - no real tea just for the beautiful horse - and of course I picked up a lovely little silver-edged dance book from a very charming antique dealer on the Rue des Deux Ponts, just imagine the stories and history it contains!
As I told you my lovelies, this trip was all about romance and finding inspiration for a brand-new tutu creation - all the pastel pinks, silks, and embellishments that are taking my fancy at the moment! Oh, but speaking of Paris, the food was divine. You haven't truly lived until you've tasted a mille-feuille with a freshly squeezed orange juice while sipping on a divine tea. It was honestly pure joy!
The Big Reveal!
Before I depart - I must tell you - I did discover a really extraordinary detail while searching through old fashion journals, I have actually uncovered a rather important milestone for my beloved pink! In 1828, the "Rose Pompadour", was a colour in fashion. So basically, darling, it is in effect a pink! It's a historical triumph, for all things pink! It seems that I am in some way channeling the spirits of the romantic ballet era with my love for pink!
So as the year 1828 comes to a close, we'll be off back to the familiar bustle of the Derbyshire countryside with plenty of notes on a tutu, but until my next post, I leave you with this: don't forget to twirl a little, be daring, wear a splash of pink! It’s time for a new ballet adventure, and if it's any comfort, darling, I always do!
