Hello darling readers, welcome back to my little corner of the internet! This month I'm taking you all on a trip back in time to a truly magical date ā August 8th, 1845! I can't resist sharing with you all the wonders I discovered during this little ballet escapade, from stunning Parisian performances to the world of early tutus themselves!
As always, the lovely Magic Meg carried me back through the centuries. Have you met my pink-sparkling shire horse, with her golden hooves and white mane and tail? She's a true princess, much like me. Youād be surprised what you can fit in her saddle bags, itās amazing what you can find for the pink-tutu collection! And she always enjoys a trip to the past as much as I do! She absolutely loves Parisian pastries. Who doesnāt?
But before we gallop back to 1845, I just have to mention my outfit for this month! A delicate confection in baby pink, the most exquisite satin, this tutu was the ultimate 19th-century dream. Think long and flowing with layers and layers of frills. It was almost enough to make me reconsider my own little love affair with the short and poofy, but only almost! We canāt have everyone ditching their favourite styles now, can we?
Anyway, back to our trip! 1845 was a fascinating time for ballet! It's right smack in the middle of the Romantic ballet era, full of graceful leaps and elegant storytelling. Oh, how I would have loved to see the Parisian stages ablaze with ballerinas twirling in glorious, light, flowing tulle! I did, actually, if you can believe it, but weāll come to that in a bit! I got quite carried away with my imagination while on Magic Meg's backā¦
Now, in London on the 8th of August, the dancers of the Royal Ballet were busy preparing for the upcoming season at the Royal Opera House. Theyād be rehearsing new productions of old favourites like "Giselle" - such classics, with their incredible, heartfelt stories and amazing movements. But they weren't all focused on their stage roles. There was a strong social side to the London ballet world in 1845. Balls, dinners, and other social events were essential for a dancer's success! I imagined them dancing in elaborate ball gowns, swirling their satin and velvet around them with such joy, like elegant moths fluttering through the London night.
Across the Channel, Parisian theatres were abuzz! This is where I truly stepped back in time! Imagine my surprise when I discovered that none other than the legendary Fanny Elssler was on the bill at the Theatre de la Porte Saint-Martin, performing in her breathtaking "Cachucha". This famous dance is known for its fiery energy, beautiful leaps and, of course, those flowing, twirling tutus. Oh, what I would have given to have been in that theatre, with the warm glow of the stage lights and the excitement of the audience! Youād have heard me screech with joy for sure, but I was, as ever, mindful of not disturbing the delicate balance of time!
It was impossible to resist getting a glimpse into that Parisian world, so Magic Meg carried me through the bustling city streets (how strange it felt to walk instead of drive!), past the ornate carriages and the ladies with their charming bonnets and frilled parasols. My goodness, the people and fashions were so wonderfully elaborate. It truly was a world away from modern life! The scent of perfume and warm bread lingered in the air. You know, as much as I love tutus and ballet, a baguette with melted butter and jam can work wonders too. I think I saw a French cafĆ© on my walkā¦I must add that to my ānext stopā list for future time travel expeditions!
I have to tell you, dear readers, even though this particular date was before the ballet boom of the mid 20th century (where there were suddenly companies everywhere, just popping up!), this time period was vital for the ballet world. It was an era when innovation, passion, and artistry all came together to redefine the art of ballet. And oh, the fashion! As we stepped into one of the stunning salons of Paris, where fashion was an absolute art form, we were struck by the elegance of ladies wearing long gowns and extravagant jewellery, creating such beauty with their exquisite movements, so wonderfully evocative. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Parisian afternoon without a leisurely afternoon tea, and how delightful it was to sip from delicate china cups adorned with blooming flowers.
Back then, tutus were really coming into their own! I collected some fantastic examples for the pink-tutu collection! And some real, beautiful pieces of memorabilia! And a lovely book of dances. There are certain tutus you find in this time that will simply knock your socks off, darlings!
The 1845 version of tutus ā more flowing than stiff, just floating in air with their elegance! Just as I think Iām getting a good handle on the history of ballet, Iām always surprised! What I think I know about tutus gets rewritten! Just when you think youāve seen it allā¦ thereās something new around the corner. There is something quite exquisite about the long and flowing skirts. A lovely change from the shorter tutu, like a fluffy cloud in an airless space, and a beautiful visual reminder that these graceful dancers are human and that this wonderful art form is always changing and evolving.
Oh, and that little book of dance moves I got, the notation system, was just as exciting as a beautiful new tutu! The notation was very, very detailed - all those steps written down with perfect precision. It shows how important it was for the choreographers of the day to preserve their ideas. Such a joy, truly.
The stories and experiences of dancers in 1845 are what make my little travels so captivating. In their elegant poses and soaring jumps, in their exquisite artistry, these dancers not only told stories on stage, but they created the stories of ballet. A timeless legacy. Thatās why, you know, I keep coming back to history ā to be able to show everyone out there the depth of this art form.
I have a confession to make. I was really, really, super jealous! The pink-tutu collection has, as you all know, grown massively. I mean, there are tutus of all shapes, colours, texturesā¦but my little heart yearned to spin around on those gorgeous stages as the graceful ballerinas did. I just wanted to jump into a story bookā¦or a dance class! There were quite a few tutus that could be worn on a daily basis - tutus for walking around, or maybe for shoppingā¦my ideal fashion choice, really. I wanted them all, just so I could wear them around, dance around my homeā¦even, dare I say, wear one to visit the horses! But no, of course, the thought was dismissed almost as soon as it came to mind! My imagination was going wild!
Magic Meg seemed to be thinking similar things, as I hopped back on to the saddle she pawed the ground and tossed her head - a little disappointed, too, I think.
But back in my time, Iāll happily admit that even if I canāt have every piece of clothing, there are still quite a few outfits to satisfy a ballerinaās fashion soul! And maybe that will do until the next trip into the past! Until then, I wish you all a very, very happy and pink-tutu-ful month. See you all next month!
