Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where every month, we waltz through time, exploring the wondrous world of ballet! Today, I'm bubbling with excitement - we're stepping into the glittering, electrifying heart of 1856 Paris!
Now, imagine this: The air crackles with anticipation. The scent of lilies and lavender mingles with the dust from the cobblestones. Gas lamps illuminate the grand avenues, casting a warm, romantic glow. The City of Lights is ready for a dazzling evening of ballet. Oh, darling, you'd simply adore the exquisite details: the ladies' ball gowns, the gentlemen's formal coats, the shimmering chandeliers. It's pure Parisian glamour.
And guess who's joining me on this exquisite adventure? My darling, Magic Meg, my pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun white clouds. She's an absolute vision, and she carries us, me in my pale pink, tulle tutu, with my leather rucksack (bursting with treasures from the era) onto the cobblestone streets of Paris, where I feel an inexplicable tingle of anticipation. It’s going to be magnificent!
Now, what's the hottest topic in Parisian ballet this very day? It’s none other than the legendary Marie Taglioni, the ballerina assoluta, the queen of the ethereal, the whisperer of dreams. She's a true icon, a symbol of grace and elegance, the ultimate inspiration for a real ballerina, right? She's about to captivate the audiences of the Paris Opera. I simply cannot wait! She’s made ballet so so much more delicate. We’ll just have to watch this exquisite woman, and try and glean a little of that grace. And of course, my pink tutu is essential in this! I’ve gone for a blush colour with layers and layers of gauzy, pink, tulle that sweeps the ground - like I’m dancing in a beautiful ballet of clouds!
Let's be honest, darlings: ballet was absolutely thriving in Paris in the 1850s. This is the heart of Romantic Ballet, the era of dramatic stories, exquisite music, and ballerinas who truly flew on stage!
To give you an idea, it’s said Taglioni will dance La Sylphide, a mesmerizing ballet where she transforms into a beautiful, whimsical sylph! Now, that’s something that really gets the pulse racing. Think about it – a dreamy creature, so light and ethereal! It’s just... perfect !
And let's not forget, darlings! Fashion in the 1850s! Oh, my ! Just picturing the opulent gowns, the bonnets with feathers and ribbons, and the delicate ballet shoes that Taglioni would wear... oh, darling, the ballet slipper museum is calling my name. We’re going to see a performance of La Sylphide later this very night - after tea of course! You see, a delicate ballet shoe takes a delicate and dainty, very feminine cup of tea, especially English Breakfast from my little home in Derbyshire, England.
After our journey back to the present day, and before our evening performance of La Sylphide tonight (I must dash out - time is slipping away! ) , I will definitely have to add a note in my diary to order some lace-edged white silk ribbon – and perhaps more pale pink tulle? We’ve already discussed the layers of tulle for my ballet fashion – and I so want to see more of this lovely, airy tulle! We will create something spectacular for next week! I can just imagine the layers as we walk onto stage... enchanting !
So there you have it, darlings, a peek into the Parisian ballet scene of 1856! I simply adore exploring this fascinating history of our art, discovering what’s new in dance each time period, what excites me - what moves me – as well as finding gorgeous tulle , or lace, everywhere we go. But of course, I never leave the home, the studio, without my signature pink tutu. Pink makes everything feel feminine, delightful, light, and of course... oh, my, pretty !
See you next month! Don't forget to check out Pink-Tutu.com, my favourite, most stylish place, for a dose of time travel with your beloved pink ballerina, ready to inspire your dance!
Until next time, my darling pink-tutu friends. Dance like no-one is watching!
XOXO, Emma
P.S. I’ll post a full account of La Sylphide here on Pink-Tutu.com once we’ve enjoyed it in all it’s magical glory. We're already getting a bit giddy about the performance! It’s going to be amazing! You don’t know how I’ve waited all month for this moment.
