Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu clad time traveller! I hope you're all feeling utterly fabulous in your own pink tutus (even if they are just in your minds!) because this month’s blog is bursting with delightful history and exciting news from the world of ballet.
Now, buckle up, darlings, because Magic Meg and I are off on a whimsical journey back to 1736, and believe me, you won’t want to miss this!
The air is crisp, tinged with the first breath of spring, as Magic Meg gallops across the Derbyshire countryside, her golden hooves sending shimmering sparks into the morning mist. My trusty leather rucksack feels heavy with the weight of anticipation.
It's the 3rd of March, 1736, and we are heading towards the French capital, Paris, the heart of dance. I'm on a mission to discover a true icon, the reason so many of you have even considered putting on a tutu in the first place, Madame Marie Sallé.
Sallé wasn’t just a dancer, oh no, she was a revolution! A firebrand! In 1736, she made a truly groundbreaking move. Imagine the scandal! She took the stage in… wait for it... a white dress. That’s right, ladies, no restrictive corsets, no bulky hoops, just a simple flowing white garment. This marked a departure from the flamboyant, exaggerated style of courtly ballets that ruled the French stages at the time, where ornate costumes often hid the dancer’s beauty and graceful movement.
*Sallé, the fearless ballerina, brought elegance back to the dance. * Her revolutionary design inspired a whole new era of grace and freedom, influencing the styles and costumes of ballet we see even today.
To capture her story, I must go see this woman for myself! I want to see that dazzling white dress, that elegance, that artistry that captivated audiences across Europe and, well, inspired this time traveller’s lifelong love for the art form.
Upon arriving in Paris, I am greeted by a bustling city full of charm. The air smells of bread, perfume, and, oh yes, the tantalizing fragrance of a local boulangerie baking my favourite pastries. My mind is ablaze with thoughts of croissants, and a sweet Parisian tea. But, I have a show to see!
The theatre is full, overflowing with elegance and anticipation. Finally, the curtain rises, and there she is, Madame Sallé! A vision of effortless grace. I gasped as she glides across the stage in her simple, yet majestic, white dress, radiating elegance and an exquisite simplicity. Every movement, a poem, every turn a symphony, all perfectly reflected by the light of the theatre’s chandeliers. I felt the whispers of revolution, the murmurings of change.
I left the theatre deeply touched by Sallé’s brilliance. Her innovation, her audacity, her ability to break free from convention to deliver such exquisite artistry - it makes my heart sing! I've added this special memory, alongside her beautiful costume sketches and letters I found in a dusty attic, into my rucksack. They are now forever part of my growing collection of treasures from my pink-tutu travels!
Later that evening, as Magic Meg carried me through the streets of Paris, I couldn’t help but think of Sallé’s legacy. She showed us that elegance isn’t about grandeur, it’s about freedom. It's about expressing your soul, about capturing beauty through movement, about letting the dance flow from within.
And as for my own dreams of encouraging the world to wear pink tutus? Sallé’s courage to break free from tradition reminds me that sometimes, to truly make a statement, to stand out, you have to do the unexpected, wear the unexpected… and perhaps, be a little bit bold and embrace that whimsical touch of pink!
So, my darling lovelies, what’s your next daring move? Will you finally give that pink tutu a twirl, or will you take your own daring step into the world of elegance and freedom, and inspire others to do the same?
Don't forget, you can catch my pink-tutu travel adventures on the www.pink-tutu.com website. Next month, we'll be exploring another enchanting moment in ballet history, so stay tuned!
Remember to embrace your own personal style, to live your dreams with passion and elegance, and always… twirl like no one's watching!
With a wink and a pirouette, Emma 💖
