Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another scintillating peek into the glorious world of ballet history. This month, I've hopped on Magic Meg's back and galloped right back to 1756, specifically February 2nd – a date ripe with intrigue and fascinating ballet moments!
Oh, how I love my sparkly pink shire horse, Magic Meg. With her golden hooves, gleaming white mane, and those soulful, knowing eyes, she makes even the most treacherous journeys feel like a magical waltz. We set off from my charming Derbyshire home, our pink tulle billowing behind us in the brisk winter wind, my leather rucksack overflowing with anticipation for the stories this era holds.
You see, darlings, I believe that the best way to understand ballet is to immerse ourselves in its origins, and what better way than to waltz right into the heart of it all? Time travel, as I'm sure you all know, is a serious undertaking, fuelled by countless hours of pirouette practice and fueled by the joy of a successful performance.
February 2nd, 1756 was a momentous day. Just imagine! We're talking about a time when dance was just starting to evolve from courtly dances into a theatrical art form. Imagine the thrill!
What's On in 1756:
First up, I just had to check out what was playing in London, the ballet hub of the time. We'd just missed a performance of "The Choice of Hercules", which combined dance, music, and the ever-so-fashionable story telling of the day. It wasn’t a strictly ballet production, but a brilliant blend of genres that makes me think about how the art form of dance wasn’t confined to the stage. What a fab way to experience music and narrative – my sort of entertainment!
The biggest ballet buzz, however, was the rise of Marie Sallé. Can you imagine? She wasn't just a brilliant dancer, she was a revolutionary who dared to break the mould. I had to learn all about her! Apparently, she was making waves with her innovative costumes, choosing shorter skirts and loose-fitting blouses instead of the typical restrictive panniers. This gave her a freedom of movement, something we would now recognize as incredibly freeing. A little piece of the contemporary ballerina, just centuries ago! It made me think how those first ballerina's truly revolutionised dance and fashion for their time.
The Allure of a Pink Tutu:
Now, my darlings, what was 1756 lacking, you may ask? Pink tutus! Naturally, I'm obsessed with tutus and especially the adorable shade of pink.
Now, it was incredibly chilly that February day, so I made sure to have a warming fire blazing in the charming cottage I'd decided to make my temporary home. In my little world, a roaring fire is an essential for any time travel adventure, alongside, of course, my well-loved ballet collection. I have a beautiful antique leatherbound ballet notebook tucked away in my rucksack, and this month, I made sure to note down a few fascinating observations. It seems they danced with ribbons then. Long, flowing, ribbon scarves to weave themselves a story, how romantic and graceful! What a stunning way to add to a dancer’s expressiveness!
I simply cannot help but think how enchanting it would be to see these dances of 1756 adorned with the magical shimmer of pink tutus. Just imagine the colour and vibrancy of their stories woven through a blush of ballet fashion. Oh, it's truly a dream to ponder!
Bringing Ballet Home:
Of course, it's important to bring those lovely bits of the past into my world too. And what better way than a vintage ballet find from the 1700's, I discovered a precious antique mirror while strolling through a local market in Derbyshire. The detail, the delicate design - pure ballet magic, my darlings!
Later on, as I settled in with a good cup of tea in my lovely cosy home, I got my vintage writing tools ready to note down my new ideas in my ballet diary. I feel my dance moves improving all the time thanks to these historical escapades, and I can see myself swirling, leaping, and twirling to the enchanting music of these times – oh, just wait until my next ballet performance! I feel it will be a total delight.
Fashion and Ballet, Forever:
Oh, don't forget the magic of the ballet wardrobe! As you all know, it's absolutely essential to dress the part. This month, I had my eye on the gorgeous antique Parisian ballet shoes I'd just found tucked away in an antique shop near my home. I absolutely fell in love with their intricate embellishments, a nod to the glamour of the French Court – and oh so perfect for my pink tutu!
It was a whirlwind of an adventure, as always, darlings. But time is fleeting, even for a time-travelling ballerina! Magic Meg, my magnificent pink horse, was impatient to be off to the next exciting dance destination.
Until next month, darlings! Remember, if you can dream it, you can dance it – and if you dare to wear pink, wear a tutu!
Stay twirling! Emma xx
*P.S. Don't forget to check out my fabulous website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more time-travelling ballet adventures and for all my exclusive fashion finds! We have all things pink tutus in my online shop, too! *
