Oh darling, do you love pink? Do you love ballet? Then grab your tutus, gather your friends, and let's time-travel! This month, we're venturing to a Parisian spring in the year 1904 - the era of elegance, grandeur, and, yes, you guessed it... the pink tutu!
It’s such a thrill to be back in the saddle (or should I say, saddle-sore!) on Magic Meg. This lovely shire mare is my trusty companion on all my time travel escapades. And for our Parisian adventure, she's all dolled up, too! Her golden hooves and flowing mane are gleaming under the soft afternoon sunshine, her pink harness shimmering. And yes, even she's rocking a miniature pink tutu tied around her neck, just for this fabulous occasion!
As always, my leather rucksack is prepped and ready, ready to be filled with treasures, stories, and ballet snippets from the past.
So, let's set the stage: Paris in 1904. The Belle Époque is in full swing, radiating opulence and excitement. The City of Lights, all gaslight and charm, is a hive of cultural activity. Think vibrant artists, scandalous writers, and captivating performers all vying for the attention of a sophisticated and demanding audience. And what’s captivating that audience? You guessed it: Ballet!
From Grand Opéra to Theatre des Champs-Elysées - Paris was a wonderland of ballerinas!
At the Paris Opera, the grand ballet, "Giselle", was all the rage! Think lavish costumes, swirling waltzes, and a tragic love story that kept audiences mesmerised. Oh darling, don't even get me started on the exquisite tutus. The tutus back then! So many layers, so much ruffles, so much... pink! (Naturally.)
But the glamour didn't stop there. The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées was also putting on a breathtaking performance – "The Sleeping Beauty" with Michel Fokine at the helm. You know I had to be there! The artistry of this performance was unlike anything I'd seen. So much elegance, grace, and a touch of avant-garde, really groundbreaking for the time!
Don’t forget about the dazzling dancers!
We're talking legends like Anna Pavlova. Oh darling, she was simply breathtaking. Every move was effortless, each step as graceful as a feather floating on the breeze. Just picture the pink tulle of her costume billowing, and imagine her gliding across the stage…
And the fashion, oh darling, the fashion!
Forget tight jeans and skinny trousers – this era was all about swirling silk, elegant fabrics, and elaborate embellishments. And of course, there was the hat – the bigger, the better! The fashion in the ballet world was especially enchanting. Imagine flowing, soft, sheer fabric on delicate tulle – like an ethereal cloud of delicate movement. Every ballerina was like a floating fairy. And just you wait until you see their shoes! Imagine dancing on delicate points! Ballet slippers of exquisite leather – crafted by expert artisans!
How do you get funding for all these fabulous time travel trips? You ask…
Well, a dancer has to dance, my dear! My fundraising is a blend of performance and charity galas – but mostly performances. You know me – I'm always in character, always wearing my trusty pink tutu, and my favourite, sparkling tiara. The best thing about travelling in time is seeing the reaction on the audience's faces. Just seeing the sheer wonder and joy as I perform, their delight as they marvel at the magic of dance... that's pure bliss for a ballet-obsessed soul like me.
So next time you feel a twinge of ballet envy, take a leap into history with me. The past is waiting, and trust me, it's wearing a pink tutu, darling! And if you want to live out your inner ballerina dream, wear a pink tutu today, my darling, and spread the joy. Let’s paint the world pink one twirl at a time!
Until next time, darlings,
Emma
P.S. Check out our online shop at www.pink-tutu.com for some beautiful and fashionable tutus - in pink, of course! You can also get all the latest ballet updates, reviews and more - because darling, every day is a chance to dance!
P.P.S. And let me know what you want to see! Tell me, where should Magic Meg and I go on our next time-travelling adventure? Just leave a comment below and I'll be off to the past, collecting more ballet magic for you!
XOXO
