Oh darling! September the 9th, 1912. What a glorious day! It's a simply divine date to begin with, but let me tell you, darling, the day just keeps on getting better and better. My diary (stuffed snugly in my pink satin lined leather rucksack - which I simply must get the time machine to dry clean soon) is just overflowing with wonderful happenings, but, like all good stories, we have to begin at the beginning.
As always, I woke up in my adorable cottage in the rolling hills of Derbyshire. The air was crisp, but already filled with the promise of autumn's colours and cosy nights. Itâs a very peaceful place, my little cottage, and I love waking up surrounded by the fields and countryside - although admittedly, it wouldn't hurt if Magic Meg was actually in a place more "city slicker" when we travelled, I must say.
Speaking of, our beloved Meg - a pink-sparkling shire horse, who needs no further introduction - was chomping at the bit to head out. (She even gets a pink mane and tail on Wednesdays, donât you know!) Today was Parisian themed, as it was all set to be a day filled with a flurry of tutu and elegance.
Once I was ready, a shimmering pink tutu swishing about my legs, and my hair adorned with a pearl and diamanté headband that was a perfect homage to 1912 French style (don't even ask me where I got it!), we climbed aboard Magic Meg. And wouldn't you know it, a moment later we found ourselves under a cloudless Parisian sky. The sunlight glimmered on the grand old buildings of Paris, and, of course, we were within spitting distance of the famous Opéra Garnier!
Now, darlings, as you know, the Opéra Garnier, it is one of the most incredible theatres in the world! I'd read so much about it - the extravagant décor, the stories of dancers and divas... and it just lives up to the hype!
It was brimming with activity that day! They were hosting a performance of "Giselle" by the Ballet Russe de Sergei Diaghilev. Can you imagine, darling, having that opportunity! My little heart almost stopped. As a ballerina, you simply cannot resist a performance like that!
Before we dashed into the excitement of the OpĂ©ra, though, I couldnât help myself: a pitstop in the Parisian shops, filled with silk and satin. A little, ahem, "research" is imperative to any true ballerina time traveller's journey. It is a must-do for the inspiration, don't you know? So, yes, I was just slightly distracted by a charming dressmaker, who assured me that his delicate hand-stitched laces and the finest fabrics were made specially for Parisian dancers... And letâs just say a lovely little, erm, âgiftâ of time-travel trinkets for her, encouraged her to open her shop doors to us - all for âresearch" purposes, darling!
I even met an enchanting couturiĂšre! Oh, darling! Can you imagine the excitement! Her salon was overflowing with fabric, each roll and swathe a rainbow of gorgeous hues - with of course, the most lovely pink selection you can imagine! My new pink tutu-inspired dress (for which I, naturally, offered some âgiftsâ to assist her in her business) just might become a real star. Imagine, a "time-travel inspired, Parisien couturier designed tutu, fit for a ballerina of 1912!
With that settled, and just about every inch of my rucksack crammed full of 1912 inspiration, I finally managed to squeeze into the Opera Garnier itself, ready to witness the beauty of Giselle - and, it did not disappoint, my dear. It's not just about the steps or the technical mastery - it's about the emotion, the feeling, the soul of the performance, which resonates with you! And that was absolutely intoxicating - that is a word I think that would be well used in 1912! I don't just love the dance, you see; I'm fascinated by the ballet fashion - and there is no more iconic design in ballet history than âGiselle". I must say itâs much easier for me in this decade to do a spot of shopping, my dears, as the tutus they were wearing are rather similar to those worn in the past couple of decades in Derbyshire!
Later, I caught up with a lovely, young French ballerina in a quaint little cafĂ©. We talked about the passion for dance and our individual dreams - she shared her hopes of being part of the prestigious "Ballet Russe" - now you see why this trip is important for my diary, Iâm feeling incredibly nostalgic about it already - Iâd better be off to check those âBallet Russeâ costumes - although I wouldnât really consider buying a pink one, would I? And now darling, it is almost 4:00 am.
There are no better nights than nights in which you travel through time and I shall make this little corner of Derbyshire my ballet kingdom, to continue this dream, because time travel really is for everyone, if you dare to go for it, darling! The best time travel moments are all tucked away in my heart and in my pink lined rucksack!
Love to you, darling, and don't forget to make every moment beautiful!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
