Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, and Happy New Year! Can you believe it's already January 1st? Where did 2022 go?!
This month, I've had a simply divine time travel adventure, hurtling through the mists of time with my fabulous, sparkling pink Shire horse, Magic Meg. We landed right in the heart of London, 1862, and let me tell you, there was so much excitement in the air - a brand new year and all things ballet, my absolute favourite, were just blooming!
Now, my trusty leather rucksack was absolutely overflowing by the end of my journey, but first, I just had to share what I found!
The Theatre, Theatre, Theatre
We arrived on January 1st and oh my goodness, what a whirlwind! London in 1862 was simply bursting with theatrical excitement. It seemed like every other street corner had a magnificent playhouse or opera house, and let me tell you, the costumes - divine!
But first, a peek into the Royal Opera House, where the biggest stars of the ballet world were performing. Oh, the enchantment of it all! There was Giselle by Theophile Gautier with some stunning choreography, featuring a captivating Carlotta Grisi as the graceful Giselle. And just across town, a most impressive performance by Lucille Grahn was drawing huge crowds with her artistry and dramatic interpretation of La Sylphide, she truly mesmerized the audience! It was clear, everyone was hungry for ballet, I just wanted to jump on stage and twirl right along with them!
Fashion that Takes My Breath Away
Of course, a true pink tutu-loving ballet enthusiast simply has to see the latest fashions, right? And let me tell you, I was absolutely thrilled with what I discovered in 1862! From the luxurious silks and satins of the theatre dresses to the more delicate cottons and laces used for daytime wear - oh, the details! It was like stepping into a beautifully painted scene from an elegant fairy tale!
One shop in particular took my breath away! A dressmaker on Bond Street was making tutus - you could hardly tell them apart from the ballet dancers on stage! It truly was like a dance in itself to see those fabrics flowing, those lace embellishments, and just the hint of pink on some of them. And you just know I had to have to get myself a few treasures from there to add to my personal collection. My luggage was certainly looking full.
A Year for Ballet!
Everywhere I went, the conversation was filled with chatter about the next ballet season! 1862 was already promising to be an amazing year for ballet in England and across Europe. Imagine my delight when I read about this incredible tour going to all of Europe, right in front of my very eyes, It felt magical!
But what really set my heart aflame was reading about Le Corsaire by Joseph Mazilier. This incredible ballet was taking the world by storm, full of dramatic pirate tales, beautiful women and stunning dance. The London audiences were mesmerized, with rave reviews from all the critics. It just makes me wish I could have been there myself, feeling the electricity in the air, seeing those beautiful pirouettes!
Inspiration for My Own Performances
Seeing these amazing performances, the incredible costuming, and the energy for ballet everywhere I went, well, it left me feeling so inspired. And let's be honest, the best part of my ballet adventures is not only learning about the history of ballet, but bringing a touch of the past into the future with my own performances.
That's why, my darlings, I'm channeling all the elegance and grace of the Victorian Era, with a modern twist to make my upcoming shows truly special. Think delicate silk costumes, some delightful tutus (in shades of pink, of course!), and maybe even a dash of glitter! I just can't wait to bring these amazing stories to life for everyone to enjoy.
And oh, by the way, I found myself at the most delightful ballet school near Covent Garden. Such sweet, young ballet dancers with so much passion! They gave me the cutest pink tutu, with tiny sparkling sequins all over. I've already found its rightful place on my special vintage ballet shelf!
So my dearest readers, as we start a new year, let's all find the magic in ballet. Let's wear our pink tutus proudly and celebrate the stories that come to life when we dance!
Keep on dancing, Emma xxx
Pink Tutu Blog. Follow my monthly journey in my vintage pink tutu, here, at www.pink-tutu.com
