Welcome back, lovelies, to Pink Tutu Travels! This month's adventure takes us toâŠwell, I canât say where exactly, as that would be a bit of a spoiler, wouldn't it? But, let's just say that my darling Magic Meg, with her glistening pink coat and golden hooves, whisked us to a most fabulous, historic spot. It's post number 4365 for the Pink Tutu Travel blog, and I'm bursting at the seams to share all the gorgeousness with you!
This is my life, you know, spending each month venturing through the corridors of time, a whimsical, tutu-clad voyager with my loyal companion, Meg. I leave a trail of sparkling fairy dust in my wake, inspiring folks from ages past to shimmy and twirl just a little bit more. You'd be amazed what a simple pirouette can do for your spirits!
Right now, as I type, the sunlight is streaming through my little window in Derbyshire, illuminating the vibrant pink tulle of my new tutu. It's a custom creation, inspired by a fascinating glimpse I caught during my time-hopping escapades, and let's just say it involves a very specific type ofâŠwell, that's for a future post. Youâre gonna love it, darlings!.
But before we dive into that spectacular fashion inspiration, letâs chat a little bit about the ballet world right here, right now, September 2024, shall we?
The stage is abuzz with an exciting lineup this month. In London, the Royal Ballet is kicking things off with Giselle, a tale as poignant as it is beautiful. My inner ballerina just melts when I think of that heartbreaking climax - tissues at the ready, darlings!
Thereâs also The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House. Oh, my dears, the tutus - Iâm telling you, those designs will take your breath away! I have it on good authority (thanks to a chat with a friendly time traveler â we have quite a network, you know) that the lead dancer, [Spoiler Alert: insert actual dancer name, for an extra dose of real-time relevancy]! is phenomenal!
Over in New York, The New York City Ballet is celebrating George Balanchineâs Apollo, an iconic ballet piece that showcases athleticism, grace, and a stunning display of classic choreography. A true gem of a performance, this one.
For the street ballet enthusiasts, don't forget the incredible Street Ballet Festival in Birmingham, England. A real whirlwind of passion and energy, itâs always packed with diverse talents and, naturally, eye-catching costumes.
*Back to my adventures! * This month, I landed in... drumroll⊠19th century Paris! The streets buzzed with an air of sophistication, filled with elegance, exquisite fashion, andâŠgasp⊠ballet, of course!
I found myself at the Opéra Garnier, which, at the time, was a brand new masterpiece. It was the heart of Paris, with its sweeping staircases, gold gilded balconies, and ornate décor. Oh, it was like a dream come true!
The moment I entered, I was enveloped by a surreal atmosphere of excitement. There was a sense of history all around, and I could practically feel the echoes of past performances, each one a ballet in its own right!
I spotted some magnificent tutus, those layers of silk and tulle, absolutely captivating. The dancers wore corsets that emphasized their delicate silhouettes and intricate hairstyles, adorned with feathers and jewels. It was simply breathtaking!
The show I saw was called La BayadĂšre, by Marius Petipa, a work steeped in drama and romance. It tells the tragic tale of a temple dancer caught between duty and love, a theme timeless even after all these years.
While in Paris, I made a charming friend named Sophie who was working as a répétiteur, an individual who prepares ballet dancers for performances. We sat in a cozy little café and chatted for hours about all things ballet. I couldn't believe how much she knew - the origins of specific steps, the history of iconic ballets, even some insider information on Parisian dancers in the 1800s!
Sophie showed me a gorgeous ballet studio, the light bouncing off the polished floors, the worn dance shoes on hooks, and the smell of fresh rosin and sawdust lingering in the air.
Speaking of costumes , the most remarkable thing Sophie told me about that time period was the obsession with pannier. These voluminous undergarments were what made those ball gowns so grand. You see, back then, women valued grandiose fashion. I mean, bigger really was better.
It occurred to me that my pink tutu is rather minimalist by comparison! Laughs! I always advocate for tutus of all shapes and sizes, but my modern-day version definitely wouldn't pass the âGrand Parisian Fashion Testâ of that era!
And, as you can see, I wasn't the only one wearing pink back then! Sophie proudly pointed out the lovely hues in La BayadĂšre. It was just as I imagined it: full of passionate expressions, a vibrant atmosphere, and just enough drama for my ballet heart to adore.
Just imagine, Sophie whispered, her eyes gleaming, "That very first arabesque ...it changed the world of dance forever." And just like that, I felt a shiver go down my spine, an electrical shock of inspiration connected us across time!
Now, you wouldn't believe this, but I got to practice with the dancers - oh my! We worked on the intricate steps of La BayadĂšre under the watchful eye of a legendary ballet master named Jules Perrot. *Can you believe it? * The history, the tradition, it felt as if I'd stepped back in time - no, literally!
But back to my task! To spread the pink tutu joy across time! During my brief visit to this Parisian ballet scene, I made sure to wear my latest pink tulle creation, the Le Petit Bal, a fluffy pink confection with a splash of gold thread that perfectly embodied the Paris Opera grandeur.
And guess what? It caused quite the stir! Not only were the dancers inspired by my tutu's whimsy, but the very French fashion crowd began to look at tutus in a completely new light! Even the grumpy maßtre d' at the elegant Parisian café we stopped at couldn't help but crack a smile at its undeniable charm!
You know, some may consider my obsession with pink a bit frivolous. They might think that history is all about serious business and should be explored with stoicism and solemnity. But here's the thing â it's everything to me. For me, embracing ballet means embracing life's joy, creativity, and the beauty in movement. What's not to love?
I'm all about creating a world where everyone feels the thrill of twirling without a care . Pink tutus are a symbol of unbridled joy and unashamed joy - and they make us feel beautiful and powerful. That's why I wear one wherever I go, across all those times and places. And, of course, I'm always delighted to inspire others to do the same!
If you have your own pink tutu journey, or even just a sparkly hair accessory that reflects the same spirit, I'd love to hear about it! Feel free to reach out on www.pink-tutu.com I'll be posting a little something from my adventures each month.
Until then, may your ballet-filled dreams be sweet, darlings!
With all my love, Emma
xx
