Hello, darling dears, and welcome to another instalment of my monthly ballet adventures! This time, I, your fashionably-pink-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, am bringing you right back to July 1943, where we’ll be whisking ourselves over to the City of Lights – Paris, my darlings!
As you all know, my absolute passion, besides all things pink and sparkly, is the beautiful and graceful art form that is ballet. I just adore everything about it, from the exquisite, flowing movements, to the glorious, ethereal costumes, to the history and stories woven into every step! Of course, there's the little matter of the lovely tutus, always a favourite - and a necessity, of course, for any self-respecting ballerina - particularly the ones in vibrant pinks like mine.
Now, back to July 1943 in Paris... even amidst the darkness of the war, the world of ballet continued to shine bright! The Paris Opera Ballet was still putting on performances, albeit a little more subdued than usual, and there were also smaller companies touring across the country, sharing their passion and grace. This makes my heart sing!
And guess who got to witness this exquisite beauty firsthand? You're right, darlings! Me, your very own pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger, perched atop Magic Meg's back. Now, if you've missed the memo, Magic Meg is my beautiful, sparkly shire horse – with a white mane and tail and golden hooves – who can also travel through time! She's just about the best partner a ballerina could ask for, not only for my travelling adventures, but also because she truly embraces my vision – a world filled with pink tutus, one step at a time, my dears!
This time, my leather rucksack was crammed with the very best things – some exquisite ballet slippers (they were slightly faded from the war years but absolutely breathtaking), a beautifully worn ballet journal brimming with sketches, a handwritten playbill for “The Sleeping Beauty”, and some truly gorgeous fabric swatches in the most exquisite shades of lilac and blush - what an absolute dream, darling! As soon as I had arrived in Paris, I slipped into a vintage pink satin tutu (always best to be prepared!), added my signature pink satin headband, a perfect French beret, and with Magic Meg ready to go, we stepped into the glorious, glittering world of ballet!
In the heart of the city, the Paris Opera House stood majestically, its ornate architecture a beautiful sight to behold. Inside, the air buzzed with anticipation and the orchestra was in tune - what a dream! As I gracefully entered the grand foyer, my pink tutu certainly drew a few admiring glances. They are always intrigued by a pink tutu! I took my seat in the audience, ready to be captivated by the elegant ballet.
What we saw that night was truly magical! The ballerinas danced with such passion and skill – even their steps seemed to be carrying stories with them, even in this time of hardship! There were leaps of defiance, spins of hope, and moments of grace that touched my soul. It was pure perfection, darlings, and a clear reminder that the art of ballet can touch hearts, bring solace and inspire, even in the most challenging of times.
You know me – a fashionista through and through – so it wouldn't be a complete ballet trip without visiting a few chic Parisian shops! It was there that I stumbled upon a little treasure trove - the most wonderful selection of antique ribbons and vintage silk fabrics, some of them even in perfect shades of pink. Darling, it was a treat to discover a place that felt like a treasure trove! It truly resonated with the beauty and passion for the details that a ballerina's life is all about, don't you agree?
I did manage to snag a few beautiful rolls of exquisite silk ribbon (think vintage shades of rose and soft blush, my dears), a fabulous pink beaded evening clutch and, the most exquisite embroidered handkerchief – the very image of grace and beauty, with delicately embroidered ballerina figures and little shimmering flowers. The shop assistant, an enchanting young woman named Camille, told me stories of her grandmother's love for the theatre and ballet during their years under occupation.
"We might have been confined,” she said, her eyes reflecting the Parisian spirit of resilience, “but our love for beauty never faded, dear Miss Emma."
The world may change, the times may shift, but the power of ballet – and our love for a beautiful pink tutu, darlings - remains as timeless as a ballet's grace. And speaking of the graceful grace, as July 1943 began to fade away, Magic Meg carried us safely back to my little cottage in Derbyshire, her golden hooves sparkling in the fading light of dawn.
Until next time, darling dears!
Yours in pink,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
