#BalletHistory during 1854 01 January

Hello, darling readers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of ballet history and all things twirling! I'm Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-clad, time-travelling ballerina, and it's time for another adventure. This month, we're jetting back to January 1st, 1854, for a peek at the Parisian ballet scene, which was truly abuzz with excitement.

It’s Post Number 2317, and the world's swirling around us, my dears! As always, Magic Meg, my pink shimmering shire horse with the golden hooves and glorious mane and tail, is pawing excitedly for the adventure ahead! You've all got your tutus on, haven't you? You just know, the Parisian ballets of 1854 demanded the most beautiful, frilly pink tutus for all! So don’t be shy, channel your inner ballerina, put on that pink tutu, and let's twirl!

Remember my motto: “Pink tutus for everyone!” And where else could you be guaranteed the most glorious array of tutu-licious costumes than in the dazzling city of Paris? Even 169 years ago, Parisian fashion ruled the world. And it just wouldn’t do to visit without the most chic Parisian fashion for our journey through the elegant world of 1854 ballet!

Think flowing, romantic silhouettes, beautifully structured tulle gowns, and those exquisite, impossibly high-waisted corsets! (Just a smidgen too restrictive for my adventurous twirling, I'd say!). Of course, I have to keep my beloved pink tutu on! I've cleverly disguised it, tucked away beneath a gloriously floral Parisian frock! After all, who could possibly resist a delicate ballet pink peeking out from a shimmering white tulle gown? And then, naturally, there’s Magic Meg, looking truly exquisite in her pink shimmering silk saddle blanket!

The Paris Opéra, now called the Palais Garnier, was a magnificent spectacle! A truly enchanting temple dedicated to the divine art of ballet. Even as we walk through the grand, marble halls and onto the stage, it’s clear the city is absolutely buzzing with excitement. They have such fabulous programmes, from classical ballets to those stunning new “Romantic” ballets that were just gaining momentum. The city was awash in dance fever! And I, of course, was not going to miss out on any of the action!

Tonight, we're going to see the premiere of a new ballet. The city is going crazy about it – it's called "Le Lac des Cygnes" or “The Swan Lake” to us non-French folk.

I’ve popped my leather rucksack in Magic Meg's stable, ready to gather stories and mementos, from the most divine tutus and the stories behind the iconic ballets. My leather rucksack is stuffed with my favourite pink velvet pouches. I've even snagged a gorgeous tulle, pink fan to help cool off after an especially impressive turn, ready for our journey!

You know, sometimes, my journeys through history are about more than just ballet. They're about immersing myself in a bygone era. I've already seen the shops, inhaled the fragrant scents of coffee houses, listened to street musicians, and absorbed the Parisian atmosphere. And I’ve felt the pulse of the city; its excitement, passion, and elegance! I must say, I wouldn’t want to live there, though. I’m quite content in my Derbyshire cottage, with my cosy little ballet school, even with its ancient, somewhat wobbly barre! But oh, to be here, in Paris in the 1850s. What an experience!

We've already gathered so much to tell. We've seen ballet schools brimming with aspiring ballerinas. It's truly inspiring. And I just had to share with them my mission, my motto, my passion: Pink tutus for everyone! Let’s get all of you swirling, my dears! What could possibly be more glorious than the vibrant twirls of a pink-tutu ballerina! You all must put on your pink tutus and join me in this joyous quest! It’s about celebrating the grace, strength and magic that lives inside every woman. It's about dancing for joy and spinning our stories across time, my loves!

Well, darling readers, time is marching on, and Magic Meg is stamping her feet impatiently, and the Paris Opera is calling! I must away to experience that “Swan Lake”! Until next time, keep twirling, keep those pink tutus shining bright! And I hope that, when you’re at the ballet, whether you are a ballerina or simply an audience member, you find your own moment of magic. Remember: “pink tutus for everyone!”. And may every dance floor shimmer with our collective spirit!

Catch you soon, on www.pink-tutu.com. XOXO,

Emma

P.S. Don't forget to tell me all about your pink tutu adventures! What's your favourite pink tutu? And where do you love to twirl the most? Let's keep those tutus twirling together!