#BalletHistory during 1870 06 June

Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! Your resident time-traveling ballerina, Emma, is here to take you on another magical adventure through the wonderful world of ballet. Today, we're waltzing back to June 6th, 1870. This day in history saw some absolutely mesmerising events in the world of ballet that left me absolutely swooning. It’s no surprise that my beloved Magic Meg (you know, that gorgeous pink-sparkling Shire with golden hooves and a mane and tail whiter than freshly fallen snow) and I have had an absolutely delightful journey!

My favourite pink tutu (a lovely number with a layer of silk and an absolutely charming ruffle) has been in my travelling bag, just waiting for an excuse to twirl and shine! But what can you wear when you're strolling through 19th-century ballet history? The styles back then were breathtaking!

First things first, we must head to the heart of Europe, Paris, the beating heart of the ballet world back in 1870. I’m always surprised by the similarities in our world - fashion and trends definitely transcend time! It’s amazing to see how styles influenced one another. Can you imagine how incredible the ladies’ hairdos looked, all piled high and perfectly sculpted, with intricate floral hair decorations. You really had to take the time and make an effort back then!

The theatres in Paris were filled with audiences keen to enjoy some of the most incredible ballet performances. And that, my loves, is where I landed my gorgeous Magic Meg! I could just hear the magical sound of the music as I took my first steps onto Parisian cobblestone. The Théâtre de l'Opéra Garnier - imagine an absolutely stunning venue of chandeliers, opulent decoration, and of course, some spectacular costumes! I almost missed a performance because I was so captivated by the beauty of the architecture. Thankfully, Magic Meg kept me in line! She was sniffing the aroma of freshly baked pastries emanating from a street stall.

Speaking of costumes, there were so many amazing details in the designs that had my heart leaping like a gazelle en pointe! Ballet in 1870 had a style that would definitely put a twinkle in your eye, a light airy style, flowing beautifully with soft lines, ribbons and delicate patterns. The ballerina costumes were as romantic as the ballets they adorned!

Oh, and the performers? So very talented, it made my toes itch! The elegance and poise, the graceful movements! They captured the very essence of the story being told, a story as timeless as the beautiful music filling the theatre! As a ballerina, my eyes and my mind were so very stimulated and happy - this is what life is about! My camera was working overtime!

I’m not forgetting my dear reader that I absolutely love seeing a bit of the fashion world, and goodness me, I spotted some absolute beauties strutting their stuff at Parisian shops, not just in the ballet theatres. There were gowns so finely-crafted with an artistry that would put any modern-day dressmaker to shame.

The women of the day favoured silk, with velvet being reserved for occasions of real importance, of course. They loved to adorn their waists with corsets, making those lovely bodices sit perfectly and accentuating their beautiful shape, adding a lovely sense of style and femininity, which they adorned with frills, sashes and bows, everything!

After Paris, I just had to see what the English world of ballet was up to on this very date! There were two ballets playing at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane and a performance at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden - so much ballet on the scene!

I took a quick peek inside Drury Lane, with the theatre’s famous chandelier twinkling brightly and catching my eye. Oh my, it was certainly crowded and a bit hot inside, so the atmosphere must have been buzzing! I wondered if my pink tutu would have fitted into that rather full auditorium! No problem though - the pink tutus are very flexible and adaptable!

And on that note, don’t forget, readers, you can always visit Pink-Tutu.com for some tips on rocking a pink tutu anywhere you go! As your favourite ballerina, it is my life’s mission to get everybody dancing in a pink tutu!

As my journey took me further across Europe, I spent some time in a small, beautiful theatre in Moscow, The Bolshoi Theatre, one of the most prestigious theatres in the world! And my goodness, the theatre was even grander and more majestic than I ever imagined. A theatre like this definitely leaves an impact.

It is an inspiring space, built by artists for artists, and the performers felt its powerful energy too! They felt free to perform with an openness and creativity that simply took my breath away. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for the craft of ballet. This is a craft that makes the world a more beautiful, vibrant, joyful and emotional place - one of the reasons why I started this time-traveling blog!

Now, my favourite part of every journey! Time for me to pull out my trusty leather rucksack (my special accessory on all of my trips) I collect items, letters and trinkets to give readers a glimpse into the incredible history of our beloved art.

Inside, you will find:

• A tiny ballerina figure dressed in silk, she's made of the finest china and delicately painted. It must have been a very precious heirloom at some point, representing how important dance and theatre were back in 1870.
• A beautiful playbill from one of the London performances, it’s quite fragile now, but I’m planning to create a replica that can last forever - so it doesn't get lost in my ballet journey.
• A handwritten letter from an aspiring young dancer in Paris. In it, she reveals a little more about her training and aspirations to become a ballet star, it’s a glimpse into a world rarely seen outside the inner circles.

Well my dearest readers, this has been another exhilarating time travel blog. As always, my hope is that it brings a smile to your face and reminds us how exciting, unique and inspiring ballet can be! So put on your best pink tutu, gather your loved ones and let’s dance!

You can always find me twirling in my favourite pink tutu over on the Pink-Tutu.com blog and, as always, I’ll be posting another time travel blog on my pink-hued, magical journey next month. Stay pink!