Post number 2906: www.pink-tutu.com
Dearest readers,
Happy February! It's time for another trip on my pink and sparkling, magical horse, Meg. This month we're going all the way to Paris! And what's more, we're venturing back in time, to the 2nd February 1903!
My darling Meg was gleaming, her mane like spun gold against the pink silk of my new tutu, which, oh my, is just heavenly! It has these delightful ruffles at the hem, a deep shade of pink that would make even the most discerning fashionista swoon. I could not wait to showcase this lovely creation on the streets of Paris.
As Meg trotted down the Champs-Élysées, I had to pinch myself. Just look at the fashions, the glamour! Paris was bursting with beauty - and wouldn't you know it, I saw more than a few elegant ladies wearing tulle skirts that wouldn’t look out of place at the ballet! Perhaps it was the inspiration from the wonderful performances happening this month, oh I was positively buzzing! There was the stunning "Les Papillons" by Anna Pavlova and I saw a glimpse of Nijinsky in a delightful piece called "Le Pavillon d'Armide" at the Opéra. It just shows how even back in 1903, ballet was already enchanting the world with its graceful stories!
And Paris was also overflowing with a heady energy, what with all the exhibitions showcasing the latest and greatest from the world of art. Just imagine, walking past paintings from Matisse and Picasso, right next to those incredible ballet performances, wouldn't it be a glorious adventure? It felt like Paris was in a perpetual whirl of beauty, which matched the joy of swirling on my pink tutu as I trotted past the grand cafe's and shops, the energy of this vibrant city absolutely thrilling.
Meg, you see, she loves shopping too. So after the ballet, I found a little shop just off the Place Vendôme. Imagine, an entire shop dedicated to dancing shoes! They even had little ballet slippers in pink for children. Oh darling, what a joy it is to be surrounded by all these treasures and memories. The shop keeper gave me this charming pair of silk shoes in pink, so pretty and delicate, for my rucksack – just imagine, some ballerina of that era wore these! It is such a treasure and I must try and find the story behind these little slippers, I have a feeling they're quite an important addition to my collection.
We ventured through the historic city, the smell of fresh pastries hanging in the air, a delightful distraction for a ballet obsessed fashionista such as myself. Paris, of course, has its fair share of historical architecture. But darling, the grand old houses of Paris, oh they just had the most beautiful ballrooms, places of opulent beauty just waiting for a performance, just like a stage waiting for its lead! Just think of the dazzling events, the laughter, the gossip, the grandeur that must have been taking place! It’s hard to imagine such extravagance happening today! And just to imagine, we could be witnessing such things at the Opéra itself - perhaps this month, but more about that in next month’s post! I must go back, this time, though, I’ll stay at a fancy hotel with a chandelier as large as a small room! My, but life is good when you’re travelling in a pink tutu!
Today I visited the beautiful Opera House. They had an extraordinary ballet called "La Dame Aux Camélias." It’s based on a French novel which was quite scandalous back then. But my goodness, the dancers were phenomenal! Their movements, so powerful and precise - like butterflies fluttering on a delicate breeze, oh but they really showed a different side of the ballet and a lot of the drama too, not unlike the Parisian city!
I picked up some fascinating facts in my rucksack, such as the creation of the Ballet Russe and its connection to Diaghilev. You wouldn’t believe it, Diaghilev went on to help some amazing ballet dancers rise to fame.
This city is a real feast for the senses, my dear reader, not least for the sheer inspiration you find everywhere you turn, with all these talents bursting to shine!
Paris is definitely a place for me to spend many future days in my pink tutu – next month we're staying a little longer. Perhaps I’ll even pop into a ballet class, a perfect place to try my new shoes – well, that is, if I’m not whisked away by the intoxicating rhythm of the can-can dance! But my lovely Meg is here to keep my pink tutu spotless. Until next time, remember always wear your pink tutu!
Your ever-so fashionable time-travelling ballet blogger,
Emma
