Hello, darling dears! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome to another monthly instalment of my Pink Tutu Travels blog! This month, I've travelled back to 3rd March 1873, and oh my, what a ballet-filled escapade it's been!
As you know, I adore a bit of ballet history, and 1873 was a year brimming with talent and exciting performances. Before we delve into the thrilling happenings, let me tell you about my arrival: Magic Meg, my trusty steed (a truly stunning pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail) took us soaring back through time, landing in a London street just as the fog began to clear, making it feel like stepping into a scene from a classic ballet.
Speaking of classics, my leather rucksack (where I carefully store my collected ballet treasures and tales from across the ages) was soon overflowing with intriguing stories from this time! The year 1873 saw a new ballet company in London, "The London Ballet" founded, dedicated to showcasing both established works and new creations. They brought fresh energy to the world of ballet, and their productions sparked a real revival of interest in this art form!
And who could forget the legendary Marie Taglioni? Her performance in La Sylphide back in 1832 was still being spoken about in awed whispers, and even though she was approaching her fifties at this point, the ballet world held her as a towering figure, a true icon.
Speaking of icons, my trip to Paris to visit the Opera Garnier was nothing short of amazing! It was an absolutely stunning building - it truly felt like a fairy tale palace of dance and music. Imagine my delight at seeing a brand new production of Giselle featuring Carlotta Grisi (a ballerina whose name is practically synonymous with ballet history)! It was pure perfection, with intricate choreography and stunning costuming, and I simply had to try and capture a little of its magic by buying a silk scarf with a delicate Giselle pattern. It’s now a prized possession in my collection, adding a touch of elegance to my ballet room.
During my Parisian adventures, I was lucky enough to come across the most exquisite ballet shoes. It's a known fact that I simply adore pink, so you can imagine my joy when I found a pair of handmade satin slippers adorned with a subtle dusting of pink glitter - a real Parisian chic piece! It turns out the workshop had been open since 1820 - imagine all the iconic ballerinas who had graced their dance floors! I bought not only those glorious pink slippers but also some other treasures, a silver hair comb with a little dancer figurine, and a miniature ballerina doll. Now, these are tucked away in my treasured box of vintage dance delights, keeping company with a signed photograph of Mathilde Kschessinska (yes, my fellow time traveller fans, the famous ballerina!), a dainty ballerina doll dressed in a delicate pink tulle costume, a 19th century ballet booklet, and an old ballet programme featuring Marius Petipa, the iconic choreographer who went on to bring ballet classics like "Sleeping Beauty" to life.
Of course, what's a trip back in time without some fun shopping and socialising? London, my home city, felt vibrantly alive with culture. It felt wonderful to stroll through Hyde Park, take tea at Fortnum & Mason (and a good gossip with the ladies, naturally), and explore the many antique shops for unique finds, often bringing a little piece of history back with me in my rucksack.
But now, darling readers, let me talk to you about why it’s important to dress in pink tutus! Yes, pink is my colour, the colour of love, sweetness, and happiness - just like ballet itself. But there's a bigger picture! By wearing pink tutus, we celebrate the beauty and joy of dance and inspire others to unleash their inner dancer! It’s all about spreading a message of self-expression, individuality, and the boundless energy that lives within each of us, a message best embodied in a dance!
My next adventure, however, might see me travel in something other than a pink tutu, since March in Derbyshire can be quite a cold affair! 🥶 But don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted with the juicy details of my next journey, and don't forget, if you want to share your favourite ballet stories or travel tales, visit www.pink-tutu.com and share your pink tutu joy with me!
See you all next month, darling dears! 💖🌸
Emma
PS - Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog at www.pink-tutu.com for updates on my upcoming adventures! And if you’re in the Derbyshire area, do come and say hello at my next ballet performance – it’s the perfect chance to see how dancing can truly change your world. See you soon! 💖
(Post number 2547)
