Hello darlings!
It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time-traveller, and guess what? This month, Magic Meg and I took a little jaunt to Paris! Yep, the City of Lights, where the fashion is as dazzling as the Eiffel Tower (okay, that doesn’t exist yet, but trust me, it will be!)
Now, let’s rewind the clock, shall we? It’s April 4th, 1832, and I'm absolutely buzzing to be in Paris! There’s an energy here, a spirit that's practically crackling with excitement. It’s all about the ballet, my lovelies. Everyone is talking about the ballet, and with good reason. Paris is experiencing a golden age of ballet, and believe me, the excitement is infectious!
Today, I’ve just waltzed out of the Opéra de Paris. The grand and glamorous Salle Le Peletier, with its magnificent chandelier, was positively buzzing with the social whirl. All eyes are on Marie Taglioni, the ethereal ballerina who dances like a bird! Honestly, I nearly choked on my croissant when I saw her en pointe in a swirling cloud of white tulle. Gasp!, the sheer artistry of it! She moved with such grace and fluidity. I'm still recovering from her pas de deux with her partner, Quelle beauté!
Now, it’s not all about Taglioni, though. Paris is a vibrant melting pot of talent! Today, we had the joy of seeing La Sylphide performed by the Paris Opéra Ballet. Adolphe Adam’s score just swept me away! The delicate fluttering of the costumes, the magical atmosphere of the forest scene… pure ballet bliss! It’s hard to imagine ballet without La Sylphide today! It's almost like everyone wants to escape from the pressures of everyday life and escape into the world of dreams and fantasies.
This entire journey has filled my leather rucksack to the brim! I found a fascinating program for La Sylphide – oh, those delicate illustrations and the charming handwritten notes! A tiny ballet shoe tucked inside its fold - so chic! I snagged a little pocketbook of ballet fashion from a Parisian millinery - très magnifique! Every time I think I have a ‘pretty' hat or tiara, there’s a new design I see. There's definitely inspiration in every Parisian boutique! The world of fashion just feels so alive here.
Speaking of, let's talk tutus. Believe me, Paris does tutus! Just yesterday, we visited A. Dupuy and Company. Imagine a dream shop bursting with beautiful, billowing tulle. My head nearly exploded! I could almost hear them whisper “Oh Emma, take me home!” Imagine! Pink tulle as fine as silk, and every shade of ballet pink you could dream of - a confectionery delight! The intricate embroidery, the delicate lace and beading - a fashion lover's heaven.
And what’s a visit to Paris without a spot of shopping, right? After I filled my rucksack to overflowing, I snagged a stunning new tutu. You know my style! Pink of course - a gorgeous shade that catches the light and swirls like a dance. My new creation has a touch of silver beading, giving it a sophisticated twist. Oh, my heart did a little pirouette when I saw it!
Now, all this ballet touring and fancy shopping comes at a cost. How, you may ask, does a pink-tutu-loving ballerina manage to afford these incredible adventures? Well, you’ve got to love the magic of dance! My trusty shire horse, Magic Meg, has been trained to perform breathtaking feats at street performances and theatres, collecting just enough shillings to allow me to see the world (or at least as much of it as we can manage between ballet classes!). She’s also learned a little French so she can chat with Parisian horses!
It's been an absolutely magical week in Paris, and it's given me a newfound appreciation for the history of ballet. My trip has also given me some amazing new ideas for my dance class back in Derbyshire.
As always, my lovelies, spread the pink! Don’t forget, the pink tutu is for every body! Let’s all dance towards a world where tutus are not only embraced but celebrated, on streets, in theaters, and, of course, at all those amazing ballet performances.
Love,
Emma 🩰 💖
