Hey lovelies! Emma here, back from another incredible trip through time! This week, I'm swirling back to the exciting year of 2014 - a year packed with magical ballet moments, and yes, you guessed it, TONS of fabulous tutus! Buckle up, darlings, because we're about to take a trip through the glittery history of ballet in 2014!
My adventures this week started at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Talk about a dream come true! I actually managed to snag tickets for their revival of Giselle. Honestly, I was in a complete whirl of tulle! I just loved the Romantic era story, and those ethereal white tutus… pure magic.
Of course, no ballerina journey is complete without some incredible ballet fashion. And in 2014, the fashion scene was absolutely popping! Remember when all those stylish Swan Lake tutus with their glittering swan feathers were the hottest trend? So chic! And you know, some of those designs were practically street-wear ready! Maybe a few street performances in a glamorous swan tutu are in my future… 😉
As I strolled through Covent Garden, I even found a few vintage boutiques where I scored some incredible pink and peach satin shoes that would look so dreamy in a street performance. Honestly, my ballet wardrobe is becoming absolutely fabulous with all these treasures!
And then there were the shows! The Nutcracker, oh the magic! The Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu was just breathtaking, all swirling pink and delicate sugar plum swirls. So whimsical, it made me want to pirouette under the twinkling Christmas tree lights! I couldn’t resist a little impromptu performance in front of Covent Garden's Christmas tree! A bit of pink tutu sparkle definitely brightens everyone’s day.
Speaking of enchanting performances, I also saw Sleeping Beauty at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow! Just imagine, my darlings! Those Russian tutus were practically overflowing with sparkling gems and extravagant fabrics. My favourite part was Aurora’s famous "Rose Adagio". What grace! What poise!
And let's not forget The Sleeping Beauty performance at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg! Honestly, it felt like a dream. They've been performing The Sleeping Beauty since the early 20th century, which was SO fascinating. It felt like history and artistry were swirling together in the most captivating way.
You know, 2014 was such a captivating year in ballet. Everywhere I travelled, there was this incredible buzz of energy, all these amazing artists dedicating themselves to this beautiful art. My street performances really gained traction too. The best bit? Everyone loves the pink tutu! You could say it’s contagious. 💖
There was also a bit of controversy this year in the world of ballet. A new Romeo and Juliet ballet debuted that tried to include modern dance. Honestly, darlings, who needs that! The beautiful classical moves tell the story beautifully on their own, let's be honest! It’s all about the grace, poise, and those wonderful tutus, isn’t it? That’s just my opinion, though. 😉
And guess what, darlings? I even managed to snag tickets to the final performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a lovely theatre nestled in Derbyshire, close to my home! Now, Derbyshire may be known for the Peak District and Bakewell Tarts but there are some truly amazing theatres hidden amongst the charming countryside, and that was definitely one of the highlights of my year.
In my totally biased opinion, it felt like 2014 was the year ballet truly embraced its fabulousness, from the sparkling costumes to the captivating performances, the excitement was truly contagious.
Remember, my dears, the most magical things about ballet are its beautiful stories, those incredible tutus, and the passion in each dancer’s eyes!
Now, it’s time to head off on my next historical adventure. Who knows where I'll find myself next? Perhaps in a glamorous opera house in Paris? Or maybe, just maybe, dancing in a vintage costume at a secret Parisian ballet performance?!
Until next time, darlings, keep twirling!
Emma xoxo www.pink-tutu.com
