Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-clad time traveller, and today we're galloping back to the 6th of June, 1883, with the divine Magic Meg, my sparkly shire horse, prancing with excitement for another ballet escapade. We've had the most marvellous time journeying through the ages this month, discovering the ballet world's hidden gems!
This month, the world of ballet was absolutely buzzing! The air was practically crackling with the excitement of the new season's opening night. And it's June, so there's a distinct, invigorating freshness in the air, a touch of magic that only a summer premiere can offer! Just as I'm always trying to find the perfect, pretty pink tutu, you see, every era has its unique elegance to it, a specific beauty. Today we'll be discovering the heart of 1883 and it’s lovely, dreamy, artistic style!
So, buckle up and let's take a trip!
A Parisian Ballet Debut ✨Our first stop was Paris, the City of Lights! It's no secret that Paris is a hotbed of culture and, as always, its ballet scene was absolutely sizzling.
There's always so much beauty and joy at the Paris Opera Ballet, especially this date in 1883, where they were about to kick off the season with "La Source". "La Source" is such a classic tale! A little bit dramatic and utterly romantic, its story of love, fate, and, yes, betrayal unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of a shimmering Greek landscape! You can just imagine the gorgeous costumes and exquisite choreography – my head is practically spinning thinking about it!
My dear friend, and a fabulous pink tutu aficionado, Camille (more on her later!) ,was with me at the Grand Opéra House in Paris. We gasped and giggled over the intricate details on the sets and marvelled at the beautifully dressed dancers, who, I'm told, gracefully leapt and soared across the stage, their every step bringing a magical charm. They weren't just dancing; they were storytelling with every pirouette, each graceful gesture a testament to the passion and dedication of these truly special artists. And I couldn't wait to share all the stories with you, darling readers! Just a word of caution – "La Source" is quite lengthy! The ballets back then could go on for hours! The performance even had intermissions, where people mingled and shared opinions about the show – a delight in itself! Camille told me that a little tradition called “the Ballet des Débutantes” where new ballet girls would showcase their talent – that sounded exciting, didn't it? But Camille explained how, in this era, only a chosen few girls with "the right connections" would be able to grace the stage – it certainly was not like our world of ballet where the opportunities for new dancers were so plentiful!
After the performance, Camille and I did a little shopping at the stunningly ornate La Samaritaine department store – you have to check out their fashion darling! I could tell there was some really great ballet inspiration at their fashion shows, even then, just the best pink hues in fabric, silk and satin... just exquisite. There were some fantastic new ballet shoes - the pointed toe designs were very much en vogue - perfect for those leaps!
Oh, how I'd love to see their style, the details, the sheer beauty! Camille explained to me how some girls even hand painted their own designs on the pointe shoes with elegant patterns. You know me – I love a good, artistic DIY – imagine the pink! 🩰
Of course, a Parisian evening couldn’t be complete without a delicious croissant! The smell of freshly baked pastries drifted through the air, making it impossible to resist – they really do love pastries, these Frenchies! That’s where the little tradition of “the ballerina's breakfast” was born – think hot cocoa with mini croissants before ballet lessons. So much sweetness to begin the day! Camille says there was an “Art Nouveau” influence with pastel coloured, soft tones that gave the bakers’ ovens a romantic and whimsical feel, just perfect for our ballet explorations!
We also saw the legendary French ballet star Eugénie Fiocre who we heard was performing at the beautiful Théâtre du Châtelet. It was amazing to witness this magnificent dancer grace the stage! Imagine my delight when I found out her tutu - a shimmering cloud of soft, peach-hued tulle. She'd already designed the gorgeous ballet shoe, with silk satin ribbon accents.
But the highlight of the Parisian adventure was the grand Palais Garnier Opera House. I’d heard tales from my time traveller friends about the theatre's stunning crystal chandeliers and gilded decorations, the impressive staircase. But oh my – even more breathtaking is that beautiful painted ceiling! It was pure magic – just breathtaking! Camille had told me it is designed by the amazing Chagall – can you imagine being one of the dancers getting to practice under it, knowing that every rehearsal is happening under a masterpiece of Art Deco beauty? This opera house is steeped in tradition, but the sheer power and energy of the dance is absolutely heartstopping!
From the beautiful Paris ballet scene we went on to ...
### A Royal Ballet Debut 👑
Well, after that grand spectacle in Paris, I had to go back home to Derbyshire to relax. My ballet school there was buzzing with excitement about the performance of "Giselle" that was being performed in Manchester, at the famous Prince's Theatre. “Giselle”, such a beautiful classic! This was actually a little while before our "ballet travel day", but it just had to be part of the journey. I mean, the first performances were on June 5th! You can imagine how much everyone in England was talking about this! They say the dancing was elegant and precise - and there are just so many details to consider about the costumes!
There was, however, something a little more special going on that night - a rather famous ballerina was the centre of attention:
The wonderful Lydia Kyasht! She was, you know, just one of the most celebrated dancers of that era! We were told her story of how she would visit every stage in a carriage drawn by four grey horses (much more elegant than our dear Meg – not to mention that I'd prefer a good pink! ) It was wonderful to discover her work in Manchester, the place where she was making a "royal" entrance onto the stage! You see, it was all happening a year before she'd join the ranks of the Russian Ballet, and this time was filled with so much elegance and refinement. I just wanted to stand outside and imagine how these ballet girls would have moved and glided under the soft pink glow of the chandeliers, taking a curtsy before the queen. The Prince's Theatre must have felt like an exclusive castle, an elegant haven that whispered stories of ballet and fashion. What must those costumes have looked like?! Imagine them being a masterpiece of beauty!
This performance really emphasized the magic of dancing in that era. In these grand venues, every element felt refined and elegant! What makes ballet so beautiful is the connection it has with these cultural stories – a sense of enchantment in every swirl and leap!
And what’s ballet without some lovely outfits?
Ballet Fashion of 1883 – The Perfect Pink TutuDid you see the ballet fashion in those grand houses in Paris and London? They all had the beautiful tulle, so silky soft – like floating on clouds – a truly magical effect!
And for those really dramatic moments in "La Source", I think the dancer would have been sporting some long, flowing silks and satin! Can you imagine! The French ballet designers of the late 19th Century used luxurious fabrics such as silk taffeta, velvets with lots of pleating and draping! I imagine a beautiful coral silk tutu with pearl embellishment - just exquisite! And that amazing shade of soft coral...just my kind of colour! The perfect blend of romance and dramatic elegance!
I know many people in those times felt strongly that the colour pink was far too childish for them - they preferred black and a strong dark blue for those stage outfits!
I really want everyone to try to bring back the pink tulle. A great splash of colour in all those dark theatres! Just gorgeous!
That's a wrap on this exciting month's journey! If you enjoyed it, then pop over to our website www.pink-tutu.com to let me know in the comments below! We've got a fantastic surprise planned for next month so be sure to check it out! I have my pink tutu all packed for the adventure, so don't forget to send me your favourite tutu tips – all the advice you have on where to buy the best pink tutus to share with everyone at my blog. Until next month, darling!
