Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-clad time traveller. It's the 4th of April, 1790 and the sun is shining down on the cobbled streets of London! It’s the start of the ballet season, so I'm ready to get my tutu-tastic explorations going. You know I can't resist a bit of ballet history, and today, I’m off to the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane!
This month’s journey began with the customary whisper-soft magic and the familiar swish of my beautiful pink tutu. Magic Meg, my pink sparkle shire horse with hooves of gold, stood gleaming with a golden-hued coat as I gave her a pat. Her white mane and tail billowed in the breeze as I wished myself back in time. This was the thrill I’d been waiting for! The moment of plop and we’d arrived. Magic Meg stood patiently in the stables as I stepped onto the cobbled streets of the bustling 18th Century London, my trusty leather rucksack, stuffed with exciting new ballet finds, securely on my back.
My aim, as always, is to find hidden treasures and exciting ballet moments from the past to share with all you fabulous fashionistas!
First on my to-do list? I’m popping in to see The Flitch of Bacon, a popular dance and musical spectacle that was proving quite the hit in London town! I absolutely love that these plays were so incredibly popular with the London crowds, a bit like how we flock to see a new show on opening night! I adore theatre, and this production promises to be a riot of colour, song and dance - and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good ballet and a bacon-themed theatrical experience?! I’m sure the fashions are divine - the 18th century was an age of opulent attire, and it was all about the dramatic gowns and intricate hairstyles. Imagine those delicate feathers, silk fabrics and ornate jewels - my heart was skipping a beat already.
My other big passion is fashion and ballet shoes - there are just so many designs in different materials and colours! I hear this year's latest trend is for open-toed shoes, which I find so elegant, they remind me of dancing with an air of confidence, as if gliding on clouds. Imagine dancing gracefully through life with those delicate satin ribbons around your feet, just waiting to unfurl in every graceful step.
Oh, and speaking of graceful steps… have you ever seen the work of Anna Pavlova? This talented ballerina has become so much more than just an icon! In fact, her life story is legendary. It's like reading a book by a ballet fashion magazine, every detail feels like an incredible fashion story with its unique character and design, like watching a dance on paper! Her career, from humble beginnings to a legendary figure who inspired so many! And of course, that swan she dances as – oh, how I’d love to travel through time to see it for myself!
However, even more captivating than Pavlova's swan was this idea that in this century, ladies didn’t wear ballet tutus! Shocking, isn't it? It sounds more like they had a more dramatic costume style, more similar to theatrical fashion than something I’d wear to class! Instead, there’s more focus on those extravagant, voluminous skirts and graceful movements. It makes me ponder - would our ballerina styles even exist without those daring trailblazers, the ones who first began to break boundaries with the early designs? Their innovations pave the way for my cherished pink tutus!
Imagine the shock of wearing a ballet tutu for a stroll through the gardens, a quick grocery run, or a lovely cup of tea with your friends! Of course, I must explain to everyone that ballet fashion is not merely about costume; it's about embracing beauty, expression, and movement, all while flaunting our femininity with an irresistible sense of elegance! Perhaps this year I'll spread a little extra pink tutu cheer in 1790… imagine the excitement of seeing the startled reactions! Maybe they’ll even consider adding a ballet class or two! Who knows? I’m brimming with ideas.
Just before I went off to my tea at the famous 18th Century theatre I popped in to the nearby ballet studio. How very different they look to today. The ballet studio is like something from another world with its wooden floor and high ceilings. The only sound to be heard was the tap, tap of dancer's shoes. My own special time travelling pink tutu made me a curious spectacle to those early dancers! You’d be surprised what kind of conversations it creates with those 18th century fashionistas. They all admired my extravagant skirt and giggled about my bold dance costume!
That night, after I saw the show (an absolutely magical dance performance), I packed away all my new fashion finds into my leather rucksack. It’s almost overflowing with lovely little treasures; silks, embroidery samples, snippets of stories and photographs… they'll all help me create a beautiful and colorful collage in my ballet diary for when I’m back at home.
The sun had already set over London as I mounted Magic Meg and whispered the magical words that transported us back to the familiar rolling Derbyshire hills.
So, you fabulous lot, next time you feel the urge to do something a little out of the ordinary, don't hesitate. Go on, step out into your local theatre and join in! And if you see me there, wave, darling, wave!
Remember, there's nothing quite as fulfilling as a little ballet in your life! Don’t forget to take a peak at our pink-tutu.com website and come along and dance with me!
Until next month… happy twirling, darlings!
