Hello darlings! It’s your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another instalment from my Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, Magic Meg and I galloped through time to the glittering world of ballet in 1875. Oh, how I love travelling back in time and soaking up the historical ballet scene!
Today, September 9th, 1875, we landed in Paris, the heart of ballet. Now, I simply adore the Parisian ballet style – those fluid, elegant movements and the intricate costumes. It’s so inspiring, even for this modern-day ballerina!
You might think 1875 wouldn't offer much in terms of ballet fashion, but you'd be wrong! The Parisian ballet dancers were rocking some seriously fabulous tulle tutus – yes, tutus, even back then! And don't even get me started on the exquisite satin slippers and the delicate lace bodices! I was practically drooling. Oh, I simply must get my hands on some antique ballet memorabilia to incorporate into my collection.
The Paris Opéra's Programme:
Speaking of Paris, the Opéra was having a spectacular performance this evening. La Source, a ballet choreographed by the legendary Marius Petipa, was the main attraction. This romantic tale set in the mountains of the Caucasus, is sure to be captivating. You know I just had to snag a ticket – even with my travel wardrobe taking up half of Magic Meg's saddlebags. I mean, you wouldn’t want a pink tutu time-travelling blogger missing out on the latest in ballet history!
After a delightful French dinner and a glass of champagne (oh, how I do love a bit of bubbly!), I made my way to the opéra, resplendent in my pink tutu and a delicate, feather-trimmed shawl, naturally. The theatre buzzed with anticipation as the curtains rose.
You can just imagine my delight at the costumes. They were opulent and so incredibly detailed, from the cascading trains of the ballerinas' gowns to the glittering embellishments on the male dancers’ jackets. Honestly, the whole scene felt like it had just leapt straight out of a romantic ballet novel!
And of course, the dancing was truly magical. Those soaring leaps, those graceful turns - sigh. It truly took my breath away. Petipa's choreography, coupled with the music by Léo Delibes, just melted my heart! You know I am saving my purse and selling a couple of tutus as soon as I get home, as I'll be getting to Paris next month to attend an authentic Parisian ballet performance! Squee!
More than just ballet:
We haven’t only been exploring the world of ballet this month, of course! There’s always more to see in this amazing historical world. Paris, especially, is so full of life and colour! We strolled through the beautiful gardens of the Tuileries Palace, watched street performers wow the crowd, and indulged in delectable French pastries at a quaint cafe. And did I mention the incredible fashion? I absolutely adore those 1875 Parisian gowns with their stunning silhouette, lace ruffles, and extravagant hats. I could spend days exploring the charming boutiques of the time!
My little backpack is now brimming with more treasures! An antique ballerina figurine made from porcelain, an embroidered silk fan from a Paris street vendor, and even a well-worn ballet shoe from a local vintage store. My pink tutu even got a little of a dusty dusting when I was admiring the intricate lacework and patterns in the Parisian streets!
Inspiring the world, one pink tutu at a time:
I’m truly so excited to share my experiences from September 9th, 1875. My love for ballet and fashion continues to flourish with each journey! And just to inspire you to embrace the beauty of tutus, I’ll be writing a dedicated post about the most iconic ballet fashion from 1875 next week, so stay tuned, lovelies!
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from donning a pink tutu yourself and going out to have some fun! Think of the excitement you'd bring to the world – it's quite simply infectious!
Until next time, remember to be your bold, pink tutu-loving selves!
Love,
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
