Hello darling readers,
Itās Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire ballerina blogger, ready to take you on another thrilling journey through time with my trusty pink sparkling leotard. This month weāre venturing back to the cobbled streets and bustling boulevards of Paris, in the year 1870.
I've been eager to get back to the Parisian scene for a while now. The history of dance, and the incredible fashion of the period, has always had a special place in my heart. You know my absolute love of the colour pink (oh, wouldnāt you just adore this era? Weāre talking pastel hues for days!) and what could be more whimsical than the grand ballrooms of the late 1800s?
Imagine the shimmering gaslight reflected on the elegant, silk-clad figures of the ladies, waltzing around in delicate and intricate tutus. Sigh Dreaming emoji Thereās something truly magical about stepping into the world of Parisian high society.
Now, Iāve got to be honest. My little time travelling mission this time wasnāt all rosy-cheeked glamour and endless tulle. In fact, weāre heading back to a rather turbulent period, only a week after the declaration of the Franco-Prussian War.
As we arrived in the Parisian twilight, the streets felt strangely silent. Even the normally vivacious boulevards seemed to hold their breath, with news of the war casting a long shadow over the city. There was a sense of trepidation in the air, almost a hushed whisper of anxiety, and the theatres and entertainment venues were feeling the impact of the looming conflict.
You might be thinking āEmma, are you sure you want to visit Paris at such a stressful time?ā, but my dear readers, I must tell you that I find this whole scenario positively fascinating! The French revolution, Napoleon Bonaparteā¦ these are the periods that truly spark my historical interest! It's all just so dramatic! Even in the midst of a world conflict, I had to embrace this Parisian adventure, fashion first and foremost, of course!
However, we wouldnāt want to be insensitive! As much as I adore ballet history, and fashioning a gorgeous pink tutu to my taste for the times, it's vital to be aware of the challenges faced by Parisian citizens, and also artists and dancers alike, at this turbulent moment. The stage and street performances, usually filled with vivacious excitement, felt rather subdued, almost pensive. I found myself thinking a lot about how dance can transcend even the toughest of times. A dancerās dedication, agility, and spirit of expression, can provide hope and joy, even in the midst of adversity.
Let's take a peek at what the world of fashion had to offer in Paris in September 1870ā¦
As I made my way through the city, I couldnāt help but be struck by the elegant but somewhat muted tones of the fashionable Parisians. The era is renowned for its vibrant colours and bold prints but during these trying times, there seemed to be an emphasis on practical garments. Think sleek skirts, button-up jackets, and refined silhouettes.
The ladies of Paris, as ever, found innovative ways to keep their personal style alive in spite of everything. I spotted gorgeous floral dresses paired with beautifully crafted velvet coats, with an interesting mix of contrasting colours and subtle shades of green and crimson. For those with a more bohemian feel, delicate lace details graced sleeves, skirts, and shawls, providing an air of Parisian chic. It was a sight to behold.
Thankfully, the fashion spirit wasn't completely eclipsed by the news. There were whispers of innovative designers experimenting with textures and materials. A subtle transition toward practicality in attire without entirely surrendering to muted hues, I loved it! There was a strong feeling of independence, with an emphasis on comfortable but stylish ensembles, especially in skirts. You wouldnāt catch a lady in a constricting corseted gown out on the street this September. And in keeping with that, leotard fashion, while present, wasn't quite as bold or abundant as it was to become in later years!
Oh, and have I mentioned the beautiful shoes? While some adhered to black or dark brown lace-up boots for practical reasons, others went with soft, supple kidskin slippers in vibrant hues, like soft greens, dusty roses, or a light blueā¦ so chic, darling!
Of course, with fashion in mind, I set about incorporating the look with a pink, of course, leotard, but not a ballet one, this time. The material felt lighter, almost gauze-like, and I opted for a delicate, floral embroidered skirt with a velvet trim to achieve that charming French sensibility. It just wouldn't have been right to flaunt a voluminous tutu in times like this, but a dash of pink never hurts, wink-wink. I must say that with just a slight touch of make-up and my beautiful flowing locks, I seamlessly fit into the 19th century streets of Paris, I almost didnāt want to leave.
A Taste of the Arts and The Theatre Scene:
To my great delight, despite the turbulent times, the Parisians still found the time to enjoy performances. The arts, and in particular dance and ballet, remained a haven, an oasis amidst the storm. Itās interesting to note that at this very time, in 1870, there was a growing sense of artistic experimentation in Europe. The influence of ballet traditions was expanding globally, and Paris was right at the heart of it. The city was, as always, brimming with ideas. I, for one, felt quite at home among all that theatrical energy!
The Grand Opera House remained active. I felt drawn to the stage and, being very aware of the changing historical landscape, my trusty sparkly leotard took me on a backstage adventure!
You've just gotta love the rich history of the Grand Opera House and its impressive legacy! The Opera was an architectural triumph, a masterpiece of neo-classical design, but beneath those soaring ceilings and richly embellished halls, something even more exciting was brewing!
There were hints of revolution, not the French Revolution of course! but revolution in the realm of ballet!
It's easy to see that a new kind of dance spirit was slowly emerging - a more relaxed and emotive, graceful approach, but a far cry from the structured movements of classical ballet, a change that would come about in a mere 15-20 years! It was wonderful to witness those nascent stirrings, to feel the change and innovation in the air. It felt just like my very own time travelling dance class, where every performance felt fresh and bold. I could almost taste the freedom that these talented dancers would find in their creations.
I witnessed something quite beautiful, actually. While I couldn't get access to rehearsals (not for me to try and show off!), the stagehands let me observe from behind the velvet curtains. What struck me was the joy of it all! These weren't formal routines; there was genuine heart in every move, with a sense of emotional expression, a genuine desire to captivate, an energy so uplifting. A small glimpse into the revolutionary change that was taking place in the world of dance and one I wanted to capture in my journal.
With my pink sparkling leotard acting as a time travel pass, I returned to Derbyshire, full of inspiration, ready to write my new blog entry for www.pink-tutu.com (I do try to post every month!), armed with stories of Parisian spirit in challenging times.
Itās a testament to the timeless appeal of art, ballet and music! This journey truly showcased how creativity flourishes, how it adapts, how it finds its rhythm and flow, even amidst chaos and change!
Of course, with so many exciting stories to share and photographs to post, I'm off now, on my way to another exciting show. As ever, keep dancing!
See you all next month with another adventure from your favourite Pink Tutu Time Traveller,
Emma xxx
P.S: Let me know what you think in the comments, darlings, And if there are any places in time, you would like me to explore for my blog next month, please do suggest them! You can follow my dance journey on social media as well.
I will leave you with a few random thoughts and fashion suggestions inspired by my 19th century Parisian adventure!
Remember: Never lose sight of the importance of comfort in fashion, especially when embarking on an adventure, dear readers. Always, Always, a beautiful pair of slippers is the essential time travelling accessory.
Always look for a bit of glamour in the most unexpected places, from the fabrics to the colours you select and donāt shy away from a few delicate florals to make a statement (just like a lovely Victorian lady would).
When all is said and done, dance! Be your own time traveller in your leotard, no matter where you live, remember to take joy in your own artistic expressions and journey, no matter how big or small it might be!
