Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and oh my, do I have a story for you! This month, I'm whisking you all back to 1838, 7th July to be precise. My faithful steed, Magic Meg, a sparkling pink Shire horse with the most majestic white mane and tail, is all ready to carry me through the swirling mists of time!
A Pink Tutu in Paris
We landed, literally, in a Parisian cobblestone street. Imagine, darling, carriages cluttering the cobbled road, a cafe terrace abuzz with chatter and, oh the fragrance - the heady aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries!
Right, the plan! A ballet, of course! Now, I had done my research, Paris, 1838, was absolutely buzzing with dance, you know? The famous "Theatre de l'Opera" (as it's known today) was still called the "Academie Royale de Musique," a grand and imposing theatre boasting the likes of Marie Taglioni. A very famous ballerina in her own right and quite possibly a tutu trendsetter back in the day!
I made a beeline for the theatre. I think a grand, opulent building of pale grey stone with delicate gilded trimmings is my all-time favourite type of architecture. Now, I couldn’t wear my modern pink tutu (it's a little too fabulous even for 1838), so I settled on a romantic off-the-shoulder gown, a beautiful shade of blush pink, with a shimmering tulle overlay - the perfect nod to the Parisian Ballet of the time, just with my personal touch. My bag of ballet memorabilia, a rustic brown leather rucksack strapped securely to my back, was ready for its first haul of 19th-century finds!
Inside, the "Academie Royale de Musique" was just as impressive! Rows of ornate seats adorned with red velvet and delicate gold detail. My eyes went wide at the elaborate chandelier hanging above the stage.
That evening, the star attraction was a performance of “La Fille du Régiment” (a popular ballet even back in 1838!). The choreography was divine - delicate, poetic movements, a swirling skirt - I'd definitely add it to my ballet to-do list. Marie Taglioni's dance, however, was not the usual, classical style. I was mesmerised - so different from anything I’d seen. The graceful steps were still there but interwoven with the emotional nuance and expressive flourishes of ballet at its peak!
After the show, my heart soaring and my head swimming, I was inspired. A walk through the cobbled streets of Paris, fuelled by coffee and the magic of theatre, and I decided my pink tutu needed some tweaking!
Back in the present, inspired by the 1838 Paris fashion and Marie's ballet artistry, I had a new addition to my online store: A blush pink tulle overlay with a delicate off-shoulder top - just perfect to give a romantic 1838 twist to any ballerina’s style. The French love for tulle had to be admired!
But Paris in 1838, darling, was about so much more than just ballet. I discovered the birth of photography! That very day in July 1838, a man called Louis Daguerre (very French indeed!) announced his creation of "Daguerreotypes", a groundbreaking photography technique. It gave us the world's first photograph, a simple street scene in Paris! Now, wouldn't that make a beautiful backdrop for a ballet photo shoot? I just love that the evolution of the visual arts was interwoven with the magic of dance!
My trusty rucksack was overflowing with fascinating finds, from the most exquisitely crafted shoe for Marie Taglioni's “La Sylphide” ballet (tiny, oh so delicate!), to a 19th-century Parisian playbill for a ballet called "The White Devil," a story I must have. It’s going to be a hot topic in my blog next month!
Ballet is Life, Life is Ballet:
It seems like everyone’s falling in love with the world of ballet right now, especially the stars! I saw Queen Victoria attend the opening of The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden just last week, while the Russian ballerinas have been turning heads in Saint Petersburg and Moscow with shows based on their incredible folklore and rich traditions.
As I watch ballet soar in popularity, it fills me with so much joy, and reminds me that it's time for you to find the perfect pink tutu to embrace your inner ballerina! It might not be from 1838 but believe me darling, wearing it will feel like time travel every time you step on the stage.
And that's my 7th of July 1838 blog, darlings! I’ve got so much more to share with you from the fascinating world of ballet, but for now, I'm off on a whirlwind tour of some of the latest ballet productions around the world.
Until next month, remember to be bold, be beautiful, and above all, wear pink!
Pink Tutu, out!
www.pink-tutu.com
