Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, my lovely dancers! Today marks a very special day – it’s August 8th, 1835, and we’re taking a trip to the heart of Paris, a city known for its fashion and elegance, especially its ballet scene. This month's journey marks my 2,096th time travel, a little milestone! And if you’re looking for some serious pink-tutu inspiration, look no further than this trip. You see, this is where the modern tutu truly started! It's almost as if it was destined to happen.
Imagine it, dear reader – cobbled streets, cobblestone houses, and a flurry of activity in the streets as people from all walks of life hurry to their daily duties. It’s just after noon, and the air is warm and a bit humid, like a London summer day, except without the smoggy haze! There’s a bustle to it all that feels positively exciting.
Now, as usual, Magic Meg and I are dressed in our finest – pink, naturally! My trusty shire horse, with her iridescent coat and dazzling white mane and tail, is truly a sight to behold. I, meanwhile, am in my go-to – a glorious shade of pink tulle tutu that billows and twirls around me like a candy floss dream. You know I always pack my ballet shoes wherever I go! These days, though, it's the ballet-inspired fashion that really gets my creative juices flowing! The pink bow, in my hair, is almost a beacon in the Parisian streets. There are few sights more fabulous.
As we pass along the Avenue de l'Opéra, I notice all kinds of stunning architecture and magnificent squares, all buzzing with life and fashion, reminding me of Derby's Market Place but with a whole different, almost glamorous edge! In fact, Parisian life is already a little bit about ballet, and with every corner we turn, a new story unfolds, and with them, new pink tutus and ballerina fashions to discover! It truly is a ballet fashion paradise!
Oh! And did I tell you about the incredible rucksack I carry? It's all leathery and embossed with exquisite ballet motifs, like a dancing sylph. This is where I gather ballet keepsakes – like a beautifully painted silk fan with an intricate, painted scene from "Giselle," and a small, delicate lace scarf with a ballerina embroidery.
So, you're asking why this is such a special day in history? Well, It’s here in Paris, that one of the most influential ballerinas of all time, Marie Taglioni, will grace the stage. A ballet lover from Derbyshire must travel to see such magnificence.
The Premiere of "La Sylphide"
It's the grand debut of her ballet masterpiece, “La Sylphide”, which will revolutionize the art of ballet, marking the end of an era of heavy tutus and corsets. Taglioni was, quite simply, the icon of the romantic era! As I write, she is being lauded in the ballet press as "The embodiment of graceful lightness". You may think that she’s an example of “pretty privilege” but she has toiled since her childhood to be the most exceptional of ballerinas. I admire her so. The "La Sylphide" tutus, light and floating with its layers of tulle, have a very different feeling.
They’re airy, dreamy and delicate! A little like the way I feel about time travelling!
They were almost unheard of! You can bet they became fashionable amongst women across Paris overnight, and then the world, and then, in 1915, in the USA.
Onstage, I take my place in the packed opera house and as the lights dim, my heart swells. I watch, enraptured, as Taglioni gracefully dances the part of the elusive sylph, a mythical creature, a mythical creature with ethereal wings. The sight is a masterpiece of poise, delicate movements, and ethereal beauty. It’s almost surreal; and everyone around me seems to be feeling this too. The whole audience becomes transported by this magical spectacle.
Oh! To travel through time and be a witness to such exquisite beauty! This is just another reminder, for those of you who follow Pink Tutu Time Travels, to chase your own artistic dreams, and to believe in the power of dreams!
More Than Ballet: Fashionable Inspirations
After the show, the grand lobby buzzes with excitement as dancers and opera-goers share their thoughts about the performance. There’s something undeniably captivating about being in the heart of this historic ballet scene, soaking in the energy, a sense of the past, present, and future all coming together. It's this kind of ambiance that drives my shopping choices. I adore ballet shops for the costumes.
There's a charm to the elegance of 19th-century French clothing. Think intricate embroidery, exquisite lace and velvet dresses and shawls. Everything feels refined, almost as if everything’s made by hand! I’ve never seen such a wealth of vibrant, delicate materials, it's inspiring.
But, naturally, what really captures my heart is the ballet clothing of the day. In my backpack, I tuck away several exquisitely painted ribbons with elaborate, yet intricate scenes from the famous ballets like “La Sylphide” itself. The detail in each of these silk ribbons, the artistry and elegance are what dreams are made of, and each one of them serves as a beautiful reminder of how much the fashion and beauty world owes to this beautiful era!
I even snagged an antique costume catalogue. And if you ever get a chance, take a trip through time to browse the beautiful books of this era, to admire the fine craftsmanship and fashion statements that seem to tell a story with their design! I find my own passion for the art form growing stronger, a little bit every time I travel through time and see these galleries full of such extraordinary garments, and so full of elegance. It's just lovely. I also find that these delicate costumes, seem to have something for everyone – all shapes, sizes, styles. That's what I truly love about time travelling. Every period, whether in history or my own lifetime, brings with it unique beauty that we can find a way to embrace today.
Ballet Inspiration Across the Channel: The Magic of Performance
It’s hard not to feel like my imagination is bursting! With my backpack laden with all my fashionable treasures, it's time for me to ride off into the Parisian night, but it's not just Paris. On this trip, we'll also make a short hop across the channel. Because what’s a pink-tutu adventure without the grand opera houses and ballrooms of England? You’ll have to come back next time to see what the world of English ballet looks like from a ballet dancer’s point of view in 1835!
Until then, stay pink and keep dancing,
Emma
Postscript: You know what, all this time travel has given me such inspiration for the next time I have to perform! A pink tutu in a “La Sylphide" style ballet, would be a great start! We could even add a pink version of the silk ribbon design – a gorgeous embellishment!
Don't forget to subscribe to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com for new updates! The pink tutu is a fashion statement in its own right, it's truly a way to be yourself and dance freely with the power of a dream! It's my life goal to get the world wearing pink tutus.
