Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! It's Emma here, your resident tutu-wearing time traveller, back from a simply delightful trip through the annals of ballet history. This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, (oh, she’s such a shimmer with those golden hooves and fluffy white mane!), whisked me off to the 4th of April, 1855, where the ballet world was buzzing with exciting news!
Before we dive into the time travel, let's take a moment to celebrate that gorgeous shade of pink. I’ve been experimenting with different shades lately – how about a coral pink tutu? Or perhaps a dusky rose? My personal favourite this month is a shocking pink, it makes my eyes sparkle and everyone look at my tutu. Now, back to my travels!
1855 – think crisp Victorian England with its stately elegance and bustling theatre life. Oh, the fashion was truly divine! And did I tell you, darling, about the elaborate hats! They would have looked fabulous perched upon my head, sitting prettily atop my tutu-clad form, of course! The entire country was a picture of restrained exuberance.
I arrived in London, buzzing with the news of a momentous event: the Grand Ballet at Her Majesty's Theatre. I just had to find out more, and who better to give me the gossip than a delightful gentleman I found perched atop a park bench. He spoke of Carlotta Grisi, a legendary Italian ballerina who was gracing the stage with her stunning performance in “Le Papillon.” I, of course, had to see it! The stories whispered around the stage door sounded like a magical dreamscape! Can you imagine, darling, a beautiful butterfly who dances in and out of flower petals! The ballet was inspired by an enchanting fairytale about a beautiful creature with delicate wings who brought joy and hope to everyone around.
You see, in 1855, the stage was about romance and grandeur. Grisi, with her sparkling eyes and effortless grace, was considered the ultimate star of her time. Just like me, she believed that a tutu was a crucial tool for capturing the hearts of every audience. And it worked, dear readers. Everyone simply adored her! They’d stand in the lobby for hours just to catch a glimpse of the incredible* Carlotta* before the ballet.
Now, picture this – my little backpack, filled with tulle and ribbon scraps I've collected on my journeys. It's brimming with little treasures from this era. “Le Papillon” will be my inspiration this month as I craft some brand new designs in my workshop back in Derbyshire. Just wait for my new tutu, with sparkling pink petals and fluttering butterfly wings, crafted with the utmost detail and love!
We, of course, explored the Covent Garden Theatre – imagine the history those hallowed halls contain! But what captured my eye was the story of a daring ballet by Arthur Saint-Leon called “The King of the Goats.” A strange name for a ballet, wouldn't you say, but apparently, it’s a magical tale that was all the rage, combining romance with a wild dash of fantasy.
Our lovely little adventure led us through a sea of London’s finest streets. Imagine the bustling carriages and horses, all so perfectly adorned, like carriages out of a storybook. As we rode down the charming avenues, I spotted an incredible carriage, fit for a princess, driven by a charming gentleman, I thought, "Perhaps I should have a pink-tutu-clad carriage in my future adventures!” But for now, my faithful Magic Meg is all I need.
I found myself wandering into a grand bookstore, surrounded by tomes of historical dance. What a delight! They were so full of descriptions and stories of dancers, the fashion, and the stories of these fabulous times, the history of a century of ballets and ballets en pointe. Such incredible stories of passion, perseverance and grace - how lucky are we, to have all this wonderful knowledge at our fingertips? It was in that book shop that I learnt the real history of the tutu. It was a real piece of genius - to be able to give these beautiful ballerinas the lightness and flexibility they needed for the demanding performances. It just shows, my dear readers, that a simple tutu is much more than just a pretty accessory, it is a symbol of the art of dance!
But as you know, ballet was not just happening in England. My quest to collect pink tutus for everyone takes me to all four corners of the globe!
Imagine, my darling, a voyage on a grand ship, travelling through stormy seas and then reaching the heart of bustling, sunny France. Here, I witnessed the ballet revolution: The Romantic Era, full of airy waltzes, elegant formations, and enchanting tales. Oh, those graceful leaps and exquisite poses were breathtaking! In 1855, it seems, ballet was everywhere!
France was a ballet-crazed country at the time, and its biggest star was Fanny Elssler. Her beauty, grace, and undeniable charm drew huge crowds to every single show. It's inspiring to see how ballet was so captivating for everyone! I wonder, darlings, if Fanny Elssler wore pink too! The answer is likely yes! It is quite common that ballet stars have chosen pink for their stage costumes and their everyday life, too. Perhaps I'll see her on a future trip, I’ll ask her if pink was her favourite colour too.
From bustling theatres to the serene stillness of Parisian streets, the heart of 1855 ballet was full of magic, colour, and artistry. There was something inspiring about this time that filled me with an almost electric charge, an urge to make everything pink.
One evening, in the dimly lit Paris streets, I stumbled upon a delightful Parisian shop, full of tulle and sequins, ribbons, feathers, and everything one needs for an excellent pink tutu, which of course I couldn't resist buying and taking home in my rucksack for a future blog post and maybe even a new design! Oh, the colours, textures and exquisite designs, what a dream to be in! It seems as though they love their pink tutus as much as I do.
Our travels take us to the glittering stage of St. Petersburg in Imperial Russia! Oh, those exquisite palaces and ballets full of glamour, and of course, my beloved tutus!
And who do we find there, dear readers, but the most impressive Russian ballet choreographer of the 19th century: Marius Petipa. He was already known for crafting ballets full of grand scenes, captivating storylines, and elegant formations, showcasing some of the most impressive ballerinas of the age. You may have even seen his most famous work: “The Sleeping Beauty” but oh, there is so much more to uncover in his world. His talent was immense, creating those enchanting, mesmerizing ballets filled with romance, magic, and those majestic pirouettes we all love so much!
It’s almost unbelievable how much was happening in the ballet world of 1855! This month’s adventure truly opened my eyes to the incredible power of the tutu. I’m determined to keep spreading the joy of dance and pink around the world, one time-travel adventure at a time. I feel so lucky to be able to travel and bring these stories and tales back to you. Do join me again next month, my dears! Until then, I urge you to embrace your inner ballerina and put on your own tutu. The world is your stage.
Love,
Emma, Pink Tutu Travels
www.pink-tutu.com 💖✨🩰
