Hello my darling darlings, welcome back to another adventure in the wonderful world of pink tutus and time travel! It’s your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, back again to whisk you off on another breathtaking journey through history.
This month, dear reader, I've found myself back in the enchanting year of 1882! A truly dazzling era for ballet. Think decadent tutus, flowing silks, and the very beginnings of what we know today as classical ballet. My oh my, it's like stepping into a storybook! ✨
But before we go galloping through time with Magic Meg (my pink sparkly shire horse with golden hooves - she's quite the stunner, wouldn't you agree? ), let's discuss the world of ballet back then.
The Glittering Scene in 1882Now, in 1882, London was the heart of ballet in the entire world, and you just couldn’t miss the Royal Opera House. It's an incredible venue, and imagine the glamour of those early performances! Think dazzling sets, gorgeous costumes, and some truly incredible dancers!
You could also have caught an amazing production at the Imperial Ballet in Russia - but of course, I had to see a performance at the Grand Opera House in Paris as well! Now that was an absolute whirlwind! Think twinkling chandeliers, ornate balconies, and all those exquisite costumes. Every single night, it's like a fairytale come to life.
As always, my rucksack is overflowing with stories, snippets of history, and maybe a few bits of lace or ribbon from those enchanting performances. 🤫
A Little Bit About The PerformanceNow, to take us right back to that May evening in 1882… Picture this: the Grand Opera House is aglow, and a new ballet called “La Source” is captivating the audience. They say this was a true game changer! A mesmerizing dance featuring a bewitching tale, vibrant sets, and choreography that would leave you absolutely spellbound. Can you imagine it?! I know I did - and of course, I'll be adding "La Source" to my ever-growing ballet repertoire as soon as possible.
As the final bows concluded, I caught glimpses of ballet costumes. What I discovered really opened my eyes to the difference between our tutus today and those worn by these talented dancers in 1882. A blend of tradition, extravagance, and oh, that femininity! Just as a touch of powder blue tulle peeking through my rucksack from an 1880s ballet dancer's tutu reminds me! 💕
I am also excited to see just how ballet fashion has progressed and changed. These days we all see tutus on dancers at festivals, weddings, street performances, and as a key fashion staple - so wonderful. And while I encourage every woman and girl to rock the pink tutu every chance they get, seeing a historic tutu made me realise just how powerful and impactful it has always been - a symbol of grace, artistry, and the power of movement! 🩰✨
A Whirl Through The CityI found myself in the heart of Paris after the opera house - can you imagine all those beautiful boutiques?! 🇫🇷 Of course, a stylish ballerina like myself couldn’t resist a trip to a charming shop near the Opera Garnier, nestled amongst cobblestone streets and twinkling gaslight lamp posts. What I found was extraordinary: silk fabrics draped in luscious blues and rich violets. Stunning embroidered trims - they’re already in my mind as an addition to my latest ballet design for my next London performance!
Now, of course, Paris was also bursting with all kinds of fashion shows in 1882. 👗 A mix of styles and the elegance of the period was utterly intoxicating - so elegant and charming! And I, naturally, made sure to grab a piece of it - or rather, a gorgeous bit of fabric from a French designer - for my next blog post, wouldn't you know!
It's A Pink Tutu World After AllAs I gallop towards home with Magic Meg (the pinkest shire horse you could ever meet!) - let's get back to my favourite part! Yes, that’s right, pink tutus! They have always been in fashion, wouldn't you agree? And just as they were 140 years ago, these beauties have a special place in my heart. In fact, a tiny little ribbon I've just picked up - so beautifully delicate, yet with a blush of pink that is absolutely irresistible!
Well, darling darlings, my pink tutus are calling, so until next time, I wish you a twirling and beautiful month!
Don't forget to check out my website, www.pink-tutu.com - because you’re never too young or too old for a little ballet magic! 💖🩰
