Hello, my darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to the pinkest, most whimsical blog in the entire timeline! Emma here, your favourite pink-clad, time-travelling ballerina, and oh my, November 2024 is already bursting with excitement! I’m absolutely brimming with pink-tastic stories, fresh from my trip to the dazzling capital of ballet: Paris!
It wouldn’t be a true ballet journey without a little sartorial adventure, so imagine me, twirling through the cobblestone streets of 19th-century Paris, in my perfectly-pink tutu, paired with a ruffled silk bodice and velvet gloves, all chosen from my magical travelling wardrobe (a little secret from my magic rucksack!).
Before I get ahead of myself, let's not forget my faithful steed - Meg, the most magical pink Shire horse with a gleaming white mane and tail, and golden hooves! Her pink sparkles are truly dazzling. As usual, she took me soaring through the centuries, leaving trails of glitter and dreams behind us.
But back to my French foray, oh it was positively breathtaking!
Paris in 1870, was truly alive with a buzzing, flamboyant artistic energy. We were there for the premiere of a stunning new work - La Esmeralda by Marius Petipa! The grandeur of the Opera Garnier stage, the soaring notes of the orchestra, the breathtaking costumes and the dramatic choreography, it was a true symphony of emotions, and I, in my pink tutu of course, felt right at home amongst the Parisian glitterati.
My little ballerina heart fluttered when I caught a glimpse of the iconic, stunning Carlotta Grisi, a real-life ballerina goddess! I discreetly snapped a photo with my trusty pocket camera - not easy to do back then, but it is going straight up on my wall! It seems like all ballerinas were captivated by the elegance and grace of La Esmeralda's performance - truly an enchanting spectacle!
A Whirlwind of Shopping
After the performance, my shopping bags overflowed with beautiful pink silk scarves, velvet ribbon, and vintage ballet shoes - perfect for adding some 19th-century Parisian charm to my own balletic wardrobe back home in Derbyshire.
Of course, the pink-obsessed me couldn’t resist a trip to the iconic "Galerie Vivienne" – a magical haven for all things beautiful, with its intricate glass roof, elegant shop windows, and endless ribbons of silk! Oh, to have a shop just like it, tucked away on my cobblestone street in Derbyshire!
Meeting Madame Marie Taglioni!
The absolute highlight of my trip was finally meeting the iconic Madame Marie Taglioni! The "Queen of Ballet" in her own right, a legend of grace and artistry, she’s someone I’ve dreamt of meeting since my first steps in ballet! I've studied every one of her steps and jumps and her "attitude" - such exquisite lines and lightness! We sat down for a delightful chat about all things dance, with a side of "thé". She was surprisingly playful and encouraging for a woman who reigned so gracefully over the stage for so long.
She shared such wise words: "The secret to true ballet? It is not simply the movements, my dear, it's the emotions that pour out, through your every step.” Oh how I am determined to emulate her graceful passion in every single pirouette and plié I perform!
An Eclectic Mix: My Parisian Time Travel Rucksack
My rucksack is brimming with ballet-tastic finds from my time in Paris:
- An Autographed Photo: The most treasured item in my bag: a photo of La Esmeralda herself, signed to "La Reine de la Danse" (the Queen of Dance). Such a generous gesture - a lasting reminder of our journey!
- A Beautiful French Dance Programme: An exquisite keepsake featuring hand-drawn images of elegant ballerinas in dazzling pink and black, with intricately flowing skirts, the colours just gorgeous, of course!
- A Pair of 19th-century ballet shoes: Although, sadly, a bit too delicate to wear I can definitely learn so much from studying them, a fantastic reminder that ballet footwear has evolved so much, yet these shoes would have been worn by dancers in full leaps and fouettés.
- A delicate lace parasol: For that authentic 19th-century ballerina feel and to make my entrance at any dance class a bit more dazzling.
- The Best Part: Of course, I can never forget the secret pink tutu-making materials I stumbled upon! The most gorgeous shades of pink, pink! Some stunning satin and tulle for new creations, all inspired by Parisian fashion, for all you my dear pink-tutu followers to enjoy.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tutu, put on some ballet music, and join me on my journey to bring a touch of pink, and ballet magic, to every corner of the timeline! Follow my blog here: www.pink-tutu.com and keep checking back for my adventures, and you never know, I may just share a pattern or two. Until then, Happy twirling, darlings!
