Hello my darling ballet bunnies! It's Emma, back again from my time travel adventures with a fabulous frock and a rucksack brimming with stories. This month, we're travelling back to 5th May 1828. The year Queen Victoria was just a sprightly eleven, and my, oh my, what a beautiful journey awaits us!
Before I jump into the time travelling adventure, you’ll be wanting to know all about my latest ballet acquisitions! My performance at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden last night was simply delightful. Such beautiful tutus - that dazzling emerald green one is on its way to be restored - imagine the impact that emerald green tutu on stage! Then of course there is the glorious shade of blush pink! As you know my darling dears, blush pink is very in vogue, it’s absolutely divine with those sparkling rhinestones. I have my eye on a new diamond tiara for my next performance; I simply can’t wait to add it to my collection!
Off to Paris with Magic Meg
As always, my loyal companion, Magic Meg, was waiting at the stables with her golden hooves polished to perfection, and the sparkle in her coat even brighter than usual. Meg, if you recall, is a most magnificent Shire horse with a gleaming white mane and tail - her coat is the softest shade of pink! Don't even get me started on how she knows the way to different points in time! It is a secret she will never tell… I believe it's a secret passed down through generations of magic Shire horses and only given to the worthiest of ballerinas! Anyway, our first destination? None other than Paris, my darlings!
Paris is, of course, the heart of the fashion world! So many beautiful gowns and shoes; it is simply intoxicating! While Paris is best known for haute couture fashion - it's also where I’m going to unearth the story of a rising star, Mademoiselle Taglioni! The date was 5th May 1828. She was a delicate yet strong ballet dancer and already garnering great acclaim for her revolutionary performance in La Sylphide. Now this Mademoiselle Taglioni! Well she was something else, imagine the most exquisite pink tulle imaginable – that's the colour she chose for her tutu – so chic! She’s going to become a star. Just imagine - we’re at the beginning of an exciting era of dance where a ballerina will dare to perform "en pointe"! So groundbreaking!
The World of Ballet on 5th May 1828
Oh, there’s much more to this date in time than Mademoiselle Taglioni. It is such a beautiful era! Did you know the Bolshoi Theatre opened in Moscow on the 18th January that same year! In St. Petersburg, we had the Mariinsky Theatre - you all know how much I adore Russia - so dramatic! Oh! But it’s not just ballet. My friend Mr. Paganini – who did I last mention? Yes he is a renowned violinist - is doing something new and completely revolutionary on the violin! We will be taking a peek into his world at another time…
Parisian Pinkness and Parisian Fashion
The streets were buzzing with Parisian style and the chicest of shops – what a delightful experience, as you know I absolutely adore shopping. I took in the most fabulous window displays of the latest designs and colours for my dear ballet friends - such a colourful, vibrant time! Mademoiselle Taglioni must be the ultimate fashionable muse for the 19th Century - I simply had to find out everything about her. The Parisian shopkeepers adore her; just wait until you hear her story – she became the queen of dance – I hear whispers of her own company in 1832! I can't wait for that adventure!
An Encounter with the Romantic Ballet Queen
Finally, I caught a glimpse of Mademoiselle Taglioni, twirling and leaping at the Paris Opera. The atmosphere was electric, and I could sense the shift in the world of dance, a move towards more expressive movements and fluid storytelling. The music, so delicate and captivating. Mademoiselle Taglioni’s movements so graceful and light - I think it is about to get even better for women in ballet - such exciting times! A new ballet was premiering, one called 'La Sylphide' by the brilliant Mr. August Bournonville! Can you imagine a more charming name? He really understands how to write a lovely piece of ballet music, especially for women and that wonderful pink tutu!
As I travelled back home with Meg – a true friend – I couldn't help but feel inspired. We are in a revolutionary time – women and fashion and ballet are blending to give us a more emotive and meaningful dance style, how wonderful! She had chosen the perfect colour – oh that lovely pink tulle! I believe Mademoiselle Taglioni, who started out wearing a pink tutu is definitely on her way to inspiring more and more women to love pink! So there you have it, my dearest bunnies - a time travel escapade filled with fashion, romance, and that divine colour – pink! Make sure to join me for next month's time-travel post as we journey into an exciting adventure in Victorian London. Stay chic and keep dancing, darlings. Until next time… www.pink-tutu.com
