Hello darlings! 🩰
It’s Emma here, your pink-loving, tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time-traveler! Another month has flown by, and oh, the adventures I’ve had! This time, I found myself in the heart of Paris, oh là là! It's simply brimming with inspiration!
As you all know, 1st January 1880 was a momentous date. Not just because of the crisp, fresh start it brought (although, as a January baby myself, I do appreciate the symbolism!), but because it marked the beginning of a year that would see ballet leap forward in leaps and bounds.
Just imagine, my dears! Me and Magic Meg – my majestic pink-sparkling Shire with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail - trotting down the Parisian boulevards, my tutu swishing behind me. It's like something straight out of a fairytale, only far more fabulous! Paris is just…Paris!
We galloped through cobblestone streets, past ornate buildings, feeling the city's electric energy hum around us. I was on a mission, of course, searching for hidden ballet gems, whispers of Parisian enchantment!
The Grand Ballet's Grande Dame
Parisian theatres were my first stop! Now, you may know, darling readers, that Paris is the land of iconic ballerinas – we're talking legendary figures who've shaped ballet as we know it! Well, it was impossible to not pop in and say "bonjour" to the most famous ballet institution: the Paris Opera Ballet! It was simply breathtaking, with its grand marble hallways and luxurious staircases, all so perfectly French! I imagined famous dancers like Marie Taglioni and Fanny Elssler strutting these corridors, their tutus swirling like pink clouds. Quelle belle histoire!
Tutu Trends on Rue de la Paix
But Paris wasn't all grand ballet houses, darling. No! It was overflowing with boutiques and fashion ateliers, and, oh darling, the fashions! I simply couldn't resist a little retail therapy, especially on Rue de la Paix, the centre of it all! I imagined those early Parisian women twirling and waltzing through the cobblestones, wearing their elaborate gowns and stunning headpieces, setting trends that would last centuries. I had to, absolutely had to, add a few vintage bonnets to my collection for my Pink-Tutu blog wardrobe. I simply cannot resist a touch of French chic, especially with a vintage feel!
A Touch of the Theatrical
The day, however, wasn't just about pretty pink bonnets! It was about the ballet! I was lucky enough to attend a performance at the Theatre du Chatelet - now this wasn't the Paris Opera, but its charm and energy were just as magnetic. And guess what, my lovely readers, there was even a charming ballerina who wore…you guessed it, a beautiful, delicate pink tutu! And there it was, the undeniable power of the pink tutu, gracing stages both big and small. A little taste of home, right there in Paris!
I found a couple of interesting things for my backpack in this time: a dainty pair of satin ballet shoes and a handwritten programme, beautifully illustrated, of an 1880 production of Coppélia.
Pink Power
My dearest pink tutu-wearing fans, every journey teaches us something new, and Paris, in its beauty and dynamism, has definitely filled my soul with joy and artistic inspiration. This visit made me see how ballet’s vibrant energy travels through time and resonates across the globe.
But what about you? Are you excited about exploring your own ballet history? Don’t forget to hop on over to Pink-Tutu and share your own ballet adventures with me! And, remember, my pink tutu wearing friends, don’t forget to be your own beautiful self, whatever your time period!
