Hello my fellow pink-tutu loving friends!
Emma here, back from another fantastic trip through time with my magnificent steed, Magic Meg! 🦄 This month we travelled back to the 11th of November 1835, right in the heart of ballet's golden age, and you wouldn't believe what we found! It was truly a delight, as usual, filled with gorgeous costumes, exquisite performances, and enough tulle to rival a princess's wedding gown!
Our journey started in Derbyshire, where I left Magic Meg enjoying the rolling hills while I ventured off to find the best bits of this extraordinary date. This month my rucksack was crammed full of my favourite pink pen, a vintage lace doily (because even in the past, every girl needs some delicate lace!), a book of etiquette for ladies, and a worn ballet shoe from the time – the details are truly remarkable!
So, what were people wearing in the world of ballet in 1835? It was a period of true artistry, a stunning blend of tradition and creativity! Picture flowing, elegant lines in silk and satin, all tied together with graceful, ribbon-adorned pointe shoes, their silk toes peeking out from beneath layered skirts. We’re talking tulle, darling! Layers and layers of it! The ladies’ hair was meticulously sculpted, with ringlets and buns that echoed the romanticism of the period. This was an era when femininity took centre stage, and nothing did that better than a cloud of flowing tulle and perfectly-placed rosebud blooms.
Now, the theatre itself was a grand affair, steeped in historical charm and overflowing with eager audiences. A dazzling spectacle! It was on this day in history that The Giselle ballet premiered at the Paris Opera, with the remarkable Carlotta Grisi dancing the titular role. The choreography, based on a German folktale, was captivatingly tragic, and it quickly captivated audiences and became one of the most iconic ballets ever created! It truly set the stage for what was to come. Imagine - a ballet so spellbinding it leaves an eternal mark on the world! It is these stories, darling, that remind us why we are so passionate about the beautiful art of ballet.
Just like me, Carlotta Grisi, a star of her generation, would have adorned a tutu to add to the air of elegance and magic of the piece! It was her grace, precision, and poetry of motion that captured hearts! (And by motion, darling, I mean more delicate swirls than you could ever imagine. Such elegance! 💖) She had a flair for fashion too! Now wouldn't she be rocking a pink tutu? My, she would look a real picture, wouldn't she! And that is a dream, wouldn’t you say, dear reader, to wear a pink tutu and pirouette through history?
Now, back to 1835... Not only was The Giselle taking centre stage, but audiences in Milan were treated to a grand production of Il Fantasma, which translates to The Phantom! Talk about dramatic and full of mystique, just like those beautiful French tutus, each one perfectly designed and made to dance. Now imagine all that dramatic movement while still showcasing that captivating tulle! I just adore that French style. It’s so beautifully elegant. They even invented the corset to make those gowns look extra-special - I must confess that even I couldn't resist trying one on during my adventures! 🤫 (I did have to tell Magic Meg to be discreet about it, as you never know what stories time will throw your way! 🤪)
As I made my way back to Magic Meg, I pondered on what a privilege it is to witness ballet’s evolution through time! This journey helped me to remember that it's not just the breathtaking leaps and spins, the dazzling costumes, and the stories told on stage, but also the shared passion and love for this art form that truly brings us all together, across generations and through centuries.
But enough about 1835! The only time travel we really need is through our imagination, darling. And how better to do that than with a twirl in our pink tutus? I say, let’s create our own magical ballet worlds, ones filled with passion, grace, and yes, a touch of pink, wherever we go!
Until next time, stay inspired and keep twirling! 🩰💖
Yours truly,
Emma
