Hello fellow tutu-lovers! Emma here, your pink-clad time traveller, ready to take you on another whirlwind adventure through the world of ballet! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels – this month's blog post number 2562! As you all know, I adore nothing more than travelling back through time to witness the glorious history of ballet. I’m obsessed with every era, from the elegant court dances of Louis XIV right up to the contemporary choreography of today!
This time, we’re taking a grand trip to Paris, a city bursting with vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and – most importantly for a pink-tutu enthusiast – some seriously impressive ballet! I’ve even got my new, glittery pink tutu for the occasion. It sparkles so beautifully in the Parisian moonlight. It's a very good thing too as Magic Meg, my beloved pink-shimmering shire horse, has taken us to June the 6th 1874 and what a night we are going to have!
To say Paris was a hub of ballet in the late 19th century would be an understatement. And you know I adore a good bit of historical ballet, so naturally, I’ve booked us front-row seats at the Paris Opera! This grand theatre is not only famous for its architecture, which looks like a wedding cake gone wild, but also because it housed the renowned ballet company known as the Paris Opera Ballet. Oh, the exquisite beauty of ballet!
Stepping into the theatre feels like walking into a dream – the warm, plush seats, the ornate balconies, and, of course, the stage where the magic unfolds! This theatre was a hive of activity, filled with ladies in glamorous gowns and gentlemen sporting dashing waistcoats. Such exquisite taste. I even saw a couple of ladies with pink ribbons in their hair! What's not to love?! Oh my! I need to add it to my travel itinerary that the pink theme was very fashionable in the 19th Century!
The ballet we’re here to see is none other than Giselle, a timeless masterpiece! This romantic tale is a personal favourite of mine. As always, I get very excited watching a real, genuine historical ballet in its original setting! It makes me feel connected to all those ballerinas who danced before me. I imagine what it was like, how their bodies moved with effortless grace under the glittering chandelier. It's like watching history come alive before my very eyes.
Speaking of Giselle, have you ever wondered about its famous creation? The story has such captivating elements and really tells such a wonderful tale – Giselle, a beautiful young woman, becomes a wilis after being betrayed by the love of her life, Albrecht, a man who is secretly betrothed to another woman. Her heartbroken spirit takes on the form of a vengeful woodland creature to find revenge! This truly was a dramatic story back in 1874 and it's still one that touches me to my very core when I watch it. What truly captivated me that night at the Opera was the artistry of the dancers. Their every gesture, every jump, every turn, told the story in a language that even without knowing a single word of French, we all could understand! And the tutus... well, I may be a bit biased, but they are truly glorious! There are many variations of tutus used in Giselle, from the simple romantic style to the dramatic wlilis’ tutus with their frills and feathers that create a chilling ethereal silhouette!
During intermission, I indulged in a little Parisian shopping. A delicious selection of macarons - which are always good to eat when you’re in Paris! - and the most exquisite collection of antique jewellery and fabrics at a little shop near the Opera. There were pearls and satin ribbons, silk scarves, even some gorgeous vintage ballet shoes! The fabrics alone are just magical, each one filled with stories of their own, and the perfect accompaniment to my growing ballet collection I have been meticulously curating. The perfect material for my blog on "Ballet Fashion through Time”! And speaking of time travel, this historical era is perfect to show off the latest in vintage fashion - it's definitely all about a bit of flair. Even just thinking about all of those beautiful bonnets, I think it is time for a pink one! Oh, how I long to wear it at the opera, amongst all of the fashionistas and dance enthusiasts.
In the end, that Paris night was a memory I will always cherish. What’s better than a night of ballet, theatre and shopping? Even better than this was the sheer pleasure of travelling through time, getting a glimpse into how people danced and entertained themselves nearly a hundred and fifty years ago. It's truly mind-blowing. But you know, what I also adore most about these little trips, are the unexpected and serendipitous moments! On the journey back, while riding Magic Meg along a dusty French road, I discovered a vintage poster promoting a dance studio tucked away in a tiny village. Imagine, I found a studio dedicated to teaching the traditional waltz! Now, who could have imagined that waltz lessons would have taken place in that little village, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago! It reminds me why my time travels are such a great source of inspiration. These snippets of everyday life reveal how dance and fashion really have shaped and shaped culture across time!
That, my dear tutu-lovers, is what keeps me going! I get to share this passion with you, with the world, through this very blog, and inspire a little pink tutu magic along the way! Keep a watchful eye on www.pink-tutu.com – my next trip is to Vienna! Let's discover what exciting ballets await us in the waltz-loving capital of Austria!
Until next month, keep dancing and spreading pink tutu joy!
Warmly,
Emma.
