Hello my gorgeous darlings! It's Emma here, your Pink Tutu blogger, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! This month’s post marks a momentous occasion – blog post number 4391! I’m still in shock that so many of you are joining me on my journey through time and, of course, with our stunningly magnificent, pink-sparkling Shire, Magic Meg, it wouldn't be a journey without a little bit of history!
As always, my trusty leather rucksack is brimming with stories and finds, this time from November 1788 – a truly delightful era for dance, fashion, and… you guessed it, pink tutus! (Though the word “tutu” wouldn’t exist for another hundred years, that's beside the point. What matters is that these ballerinas were fabulous.)
So, saddle up, grab your favourite pink tutu, and get ready for a whirlwind tour through history!
Parisian Perfection & Italian Passion
Paris was the place to be for ballet in 1788. We galloped into the capital, Magic Meg’s golden hooves striking the cobblestones like tiny little dance shoes! I immediately fell in love with the vibrant atmosphere. It felt like all of Paris was swirling around in a perpetual pirouette!
I knew this was going to be a memorable trip. Imagine a royal palace ballet theatre with glittering chandeliers and tapestries, filled with an elegant, well-dressed audience! The performances I saw were full of drama, romanticism, and a spark that would leave you wanting more.
Of course, I just had to visit the iconic Académie Royale de Musique where I discovered a world of ballerinas in their powdered wigs and lavish silk dresses. Now, that is real ballet fashion! Their steps were so elegant and expressive, each graceful movement was like a beautiful painting in motion.
It was quite a contrast to the fiery Italian dancers that were starting to make a splash. They were all about bold, strong moves that filled the stage with power and energy. Seeing their passion was truly exhilarating – you couldn't help but feel swept away by their intensity.
A Legacy of Elegance: La Camargo and Her Pink Legacy
My visit wouldn't be complete without catching the eye-catching Mademoiselle Camargo! A ballet legend even back then, La Camargo was known for her daring jumps and whirlwind twirls, as well as her colourful costumes. Some of those costumes even had pink!, a truly groundbreaking move! This incredible ballerina helped revolutionize dance. Can you imagine the uproar caused by a pink costume? Revolutionary, that’s what! I even spotted her dancing in one of her famous short dresses – not the cumbersome traditional robes – which were shorter and freed her legs, creating those daring, impactful jumps that had everyone cheering! And the beauty marks! The fashion was phenomenal – her rococo inspired gowns and dazzling accessories made for stunning stage outfits that are still inspirational today. It seems pink has been inspiring women of all eras.
I’ve even added a sketchbook of Mademoiselle Camargo’s beautiful costumes into my rucksack – imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon one tucked away in a private collection! They were exquisite, filled with sparkling jewels, flowing silk, and just a dash of pink for good measure! I was absolutely starstruck, this was a true piece of ballet history.
Tutu Talk!
Speaking of tutus – it's mind-blowing that these incredible dancers didn’t wear a real tutu. Of course, they had their stunning rococo skirts, a truly impressive ballet outfit, which definitely got them twirling and pirouette-ing! Those skirts! Imagine being able to swirl and twirl those beautiful billowing lengths of fabric, so very graceful, like ballet clouds. I had to try on a reproduction! Magic Meg got quite the fright at the sudden rush of fabric and silk. However, it was all worth it for my new photo op – I am thinking of making this month's Instagram theme “Rococo Dreams” - keep an eye out on #PinkTutuTravels.
And, speaking of beautiful fashion, let me tell you, even the non-ballet enthusiasts looked divine. Every frock in Paris was simply bursting with bon ton, (it translates to "good manners" and the Parisian way of saying they were tres chic - you’re gonna hear that term a lot! ). The dresses were all beautifully cut and flowed like a graceful waltz. I felt like a beautiful doll!
Music to My Ears
The music in 1788 was a masterpiece – vibrant, powerful, and full of emotion. Every night was filled with beautiful operatic melodies and orchestral flourishes. I even had the good fortune to listen to a special performance by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – the most brilliant composer, darling, with a genius for understanding how music can touch your very soul.
But what was truly mind-blowing was the ballet dancers - I mean the performers would actually move, step, and prance to the music. And it all had a flow – like a swirling waltz that lifted me straight out of Derbyshire and onto the stage. Every step, every glissade, every pirouette was accompanied by such an effortless beauty. It was just divine!
The audience, by the way, was rapt. Their gasps, claps, and shouts of 'Bravo!' echoed around the hall like a chorus of musical enchantment. Just hearing these appreciative whispers as the final notes resonated through the theatre was utterly captivating.
From The Stage To The Streets: Ballet In The City of Lights
After my ballet fix, I couldn’t wait to experience the beauty of Paris! This city truly is like a beautiful dancer – graceful, flowing, and bursting with beauty. I galloped around the bustling boulevards, stopping for coffee, people-watching, and soaking in the atmosphere.
And there were little pockets of ballet magic everywhere! I saw elegant dancers, students with their toe shoes under their arms, and young people performing in the streets - it truly felt like ballet was ingrained in every part of life. It just so exciting, seeing ballet transcend its confines on stage, it just spilled out onto the streets and became part of the vibrant culture!
And you know I had to add a new outfit for this historical ballet tour – what can I say, I’m just a tad obsessed with ballet fashion. I decided to find an inspired piece to show my support for ballet fashion throughout history. I managed to find a charming antique French shop with the most darling shop windows! What caught my eye was the most divine pink, beaded bolero - I mean, just imagine this pink top against the white backdrop of Paris!
And to truly make the outfit Parisian chic, I even got a little help with styling. I mean you can never go wrong with a stylish hat and little hand fan. I felt like I stepped straight out of a 18th-century French painting!
I really hope I’ve captured that vibrant, elegant energy that just oozes out of the French capital.
Final Bow
And, my darlings, as I take a final bow and bid farewell for now – you just never know where I might show up next – remember to be bold and wear your heart on your tutu. If you ever find yourself on a journey through history, remember that you are your own story! Make the most of every moment, and keep swirling and twirling!
But until then, do check out my newest “Rococo Dreams” instagram post and remember, don't be shy! Leave your thoughts, feedback, and wishes in the comment box below! You can find all our amazing #PinkTutuTravels updates there as well! And as always, don’t forget to get those pink tutus ready – and remember, stay safe and stay stylish.
Love & pink tutus,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
