Hello, lovelies! Welcome to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and beyond! It's me, your ever-so-pink-loving, time-travelling ballerina, Emma. February is a bit of a blur for most of us, what with Valentine's Day and all, but today we're hopping back in time to a day that reminds me of all the fabulous, whirling fun the world of ballet has always offered: the 2nd of February 1736!
Now, I must confess, the month of February, while brimming with love and chocolates, has never quite reached the level of excitement that the rest of the year does. That is, until this little nugget of information dropped into my lap: did you know that, on this very day in 1736, the famous Parisian ballet dancer Marie Sallé graced the stage of the Opéra de Paris?
Hold onto your tutus, dearies, because the Parisian ballet world was going absolutely wild! The year was ripe with incredible performances, and this one in particular is a story in itself! Marie Sallé, our darling time-travelling ballerina muse, wasn't just dancing; she was leading a revolutionary charge against the stifling formality of ballet, and she did it in a daring, utterly pink-tastic way!
Imagine: A stunning, delicate costume, like a butterfly taking flight - think silks and satins, swirling and billowing around her. She even had a tutu! (Now, this might not sound revolutionary today, but imagine being one of the first dancers to embrace such freedom of movement, throwing off the old, heavy skirts and leaping into a new era of movement!).
As I often do, I hopped on my faithful steed, Magic Meg, the pinkest, most magical shire horse this side of time, and journeyed to Paris. Now, Paris in 1736 was a whirl of cobbled streets, elegant carriages, and bustling markets - it's no wonder it remains a fashion capital even today!
While we danced and twirled, Meg and I found ourselves backstage at the Opera House. What an experience! There, I met some of the most delightful fellow dancers and discovered, as always, the power of fashion! The ballet dancers of the day were all about the grand statement - extravagant ruffles, cascading ribbons, feathers galore - and, of course, shoes designed for pure pirouettes. My rucksack is now overflowing with fascinating scraps of material and the stories behind each glittering costume - from velvet to satin to lace!
As we explored the bustling streets, Meg even let me browse the elegant shops - just imagine all the ribbons and sequins, ready for an evening under the chandelier! I even had the chance to sip tea in a salon, discussing art and ballet with some of the most fascinating characters - I’ve started collecting teacups! My afternoon tea set is totally decked out with miniature porcelain ballerinas, each one a story from the past. (If you’d like to join me for a virtual tea party in my own, slightly pinker, version of 18th century Paris, just follow me on Instagram, @EmmaPinkTutu.)
Now, let’s talk about what the ballet world looked like back then: a mix of tradition and fresh ideas. This performance by Marie Sallé showed a clear movement away from the more rigid styles towards something lighter, a new level of freedom and athleticism!
And you know what else was captivating about 1736? Ballet was HUGE! You couldn't move in the capital city without bumping into someone from the theatre scene. It was all about opera and ballet, both on the streets and in the beautiful theaters. In fact, that day, the Opéra de Paris was jam-packed! I heard some of the most elegant stories and got to hear some of the most beautiful pieces.
But you know me - I couldn't just admire from afar! (Though my pink tutu was, of course, the absolute star attraction).
As a professional ballerina myself, and time travel allows you to experience something more, right? I decided to give it a try: a little improvisation in a quiet back alley behind the Opera House. A flash of silk and a turn here and there! And, dear reader, what can I tell you? It's always magical. The thrill of spinning, the graceful leap, the joy of letting the music flow through you.
So there you have it, darling! From the glamorous, swirling ballet costumes, the elegant Paris streets to the extraordinary performers, my visit to February 1736 was an absolute ballet-lover’s dream. My time travel, funded entirely by my own, rather well-supported, performances, is a journey that has forever changed me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my lovely dears, I think it’s time for another adventure!
Keep sparkling and twirling!
Love,
Emma
P.S: As always, you can see some of my ballet outfits in the fashion corner of the website - there are links to purchase the beautiful fabrics you see on me! If you have your own favourite ballet outfits, or want to chat about your ballet loves, pop over to the forum on pink-tutu.com - I love hearing about your favourite moments.
This is just the beginning of this month’s blog post! Join me next week, for the thrilling conclusion of my trip to Paris, including my tutu-ific makeover at a charming little French boutique, my journey to the world-famous ballet schools of the day (because, let’s face it, you can’t talk about 18th century ballet without a bit of education!), and my favourite discoveries about Parisian life.
