Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina, back with another installment of your weekly dose of ballet history! This week, we're whisking ourselves back to December 12th, 1848. Grab your best pink ribbon and let's twirl through the decades, shall we?
Oh, the excitement! I've just arrived in Paris, and what a delight this city is! You know how much I love a good ballet show, and the Parisians seem to share the same passion! They're just wild about the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris, and my diary is already bursting with notes on the latest productions. Honestly, I can't wait to slip on my own tulle and take a spin on that glorious stage myself!
But hold on, my dears! This trip is about history, and the 12th of December, 1848, was no ordinary day. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that the most brilliant ballerina of her time, Marie Taglioni, had graced the stage with her iconic performance of "La Sylphide" at the Theatre de l'Opera. Oh, my heart practically leaped into my bodice! I've been dying to witness the sheer magic of her movements, and to be present for such a monumental moment in dance history is almost too much for this humble ballerina to bear!
And speaking of iconic moments, wouldn't you agree that this very date marks a crucial point in ballet tutu history? Remember how the tutu evolved, darlings? From the graceful but impractical, voluminous skirts of the romantic ballet era to the ever-so-feminine, ethereal creations we see today. And it was precisely this kind of "romantic tutu", as they called it then, that adorned Marie Taglioni's sylph-like form! Imagine a skirt so sheer and lightweight that it was practically air! Oh, to have been a spectator, gazhing upon its beauty as she flew across the stage!
Talking of beauty, this trip has already provided me with so much inspiration for my own design creations! I must share some Parisian sartorial delights. Imagine a gown of shimmering white satin, adorned with tiny twinkling crystals, or a hat so adorned with tulle and feathers it feels like a bird just landed on your head! They're absolutely divine! It's making me think I should add a touch of French chic to my own #pinktutu wardrobe... perhaps some ruffled silk sleeves and a satin bodice would be just the ticket!
Oh, and did I mention the sheer loveliness of Paris? My time travelling antics require a great deal of travel, you see. I'm fond of travelling by train. There's a wonderful romance to riding through countryside, a world of imagination just whizzing past the window... not to mention that the railway carriages themselves are little works of art, a veritable ballet of mahogany and velvet! But alas, darling, even train travel requires a bit of luxury and on that count, the Parisian railway system surpasses itself! My dears, they even offer dining cars where the waiters dress like dapper little ballet dancers, a delightful treat after a busy day of touring!
Speaking of touring, I mustn't forget the ultimate indulgence! A grand Parisian ballet theatre performance. The theatre itself, is an architectural delight. The gold leaf detailing is beyond enchanting, a grand theatre befitting such a stunning spectacle. The lighting too... such soft amber and warm pools of candlelight - a true testament to Parisian romance.
As always, I'm sending you all much love, dear readers, and wishing you the happiest of weeks! Remember, darling, a pink tutu makes any day brighter! And, do keep your eyes peeled for next week's #TutuTuesday where we'll be journeying further back into the dance world to reveal more secrets of the #PinkTutu history. And don't forget to follow me on instagram @pinktutuem for more sartorial inspiration, travel tales, and a whole lot of twirling!
Until then, keep on dancing, darlings!
