Hello lovelies, and welcome back to another installment of #TutuTuesday on pink-tutu.com! Today we’re heading way back in time, right into the heart of the 1850s.
For this week's journey, we're travelling all the way to November the 2nd, 1858! I've been aching to visit this particular era for ages, and the perfect excuse finally presented itself: It's the date when something absolutely fascinating happened to the world of dance! Can you guess what it might be?
You guessed it – it's the very day that Marie Taglioni, the legendary ballerina, actually stepped onto the stage! Well, maybe not the very same date, but it's the year that she began performing in Paris. Imagine the excitement! Oh, I so wish I could have been in the audience! It would be wonderful to see the crowds gasping and gasping and clapping, clapping, clapping at each step she took, as if mesmerised! She is such a big icon to me, it's so thrilling just to think that I've walked the same streets she did.
Of course, it was all before tutus were considered de rigeur – she performed in dresses with, what they call 'hoops' beneath! Though, we know from ballet history that her choreography, and especially her leaps and turns, totally influenced the form and structure of the tutu to be the exquisite garment that it is today. Talk about making history, that’s real influence!
Now, picture this: Me, a genuine pink tutu clad ballerina, having arrived in Paris! I've done my research, of course – I found the most exquisite, swishy, perfectly fitting pink frock in the whole of Paris!
So let me paint you a picture! First, imagine the glorious journey I took to reach here: All aboard the grandest express train, packed to the brim with stylish gentlemen and ladies in their most elegant frock coats and fine dresses. I was like a sweet little ballerina amidst it all, a vibrant spot of pink, a welcome burst of colour, an ethereal glimpse of my glorious time traveling! It's the perfect way to travel, to see the world. I wish they'd have this today, just a tiny bit more glamour! But not as glamorous as this next part – oh, do stop me if you’ve heard this before, but it’s the Grand Opera House. Just the word makes me go all tingly inside! The grandeur, the beautiful acoustics – such beauty! I was right in the middle of the action, of the ballet world of that time. This was so exciting. The whole air was electrifying, just before the show began!
I am the most fabulous time-travelling ballerina, you see! Now, I won’t say what date in the 1850s I am back from, but this week’s post has been inspired by a rather fascinating costume collection in a Paris museum. All those glittering pieces of Parisian fashion… My pink tutu just made me want to spin around! I was especially mesmerised by a showstopping pink frock… And yes a stunning pink satin ballet slipper! You've got to believe it! In 1850! But pink wasn't seen on ballet slippers then, not so much... but for those lucky enough to afford a real satin pink slipper… it would be absolutely the best! You know I’ll try and hunt one down! It would look simply divine! Imagine this with the pink frock… oh… how dreamy!
But it’s all for the next time, my darlings. I must run off and get ready for today’s very grand and elegant ballet! You know I couldn't travel back to another grand period without taking the chance to really dress up! In my fabulous, flowing, perfectly pink tutu. How about we do a fashion show ourselves – all in our most lovely pink tutus? We’ll create a wave of vibrant pink happiness that’ll light up the whole world!
Well, I shall see you next Tuesday! You know how much I love travelling through time and history, so I can show you another fantastic discovery for the #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com. Love you to the moon and back! xxx
