Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind adventure through time. This month, I've galloped on the back of Magic Meg, my magnificent pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves (she really does have a twinkle in her eye, I swear!), right back to February 2nd, 1853. The world was a very different place back then, with horse-drawn carriages clinking past grand Victorian houses and ladies in voluminous skirts, their dresses as intricate as the finest ballet costumes. But one thing remained constant – the enduring love of ballet.
This time travel is always a bit of a sartorial delight! Picture it, my darling readers: Me, in my own signature pink tutu, riding astride Magic Meg through the bustling streets of London. People stared, of course! A pink tutu amongst the layers of grey and brown is a definite head-turner. It's the perfect way to make a statement about the enduring power of ballet, to remind people that this art form transcends time and fashions.
So, what was happening in the ballet world on this particular February day? Well, the London stage was alive with "The White Cat," a ballet spectacle filled with feline charm and graceful acrobatics. You know me, I always try to see a performance whenever I travel through time, so naturally, I had to slip into a seat at the theatre and enjoy the performance. I must say, even without the dazzling modern stage technology we have today, the performances back then had an undeniable magic, a genuine sense of wonder that was utterly captivating.
But my dear readers, you wouldn't believe what I found tucked away in a vintage bookstore that day! It was a book titled, "The Ballet, Its History and Literature," published in 1846! It contained descriptions of ballet costumes from the 18th and 19th century, complete with illustrations! Oh, the frocks! The intricate tulle, the delicate ribbons, and the colours, darling! So much inspiration for a modern tutu, wouldn't you say? I promptly added the book to my leather rucksack (another must-have for any time-travelling ballerina!)
Speaking of fashion, can you imagine a pink tutu with a vintage lace trim? Now wouldn't that be a vision, a delightful collision of classic and contemporary! Just imagine me in the grand old opera house, with the plush red velvet seating, surrounded by the buzz of conversation in French and English, while a magnificent pink tutu gracefully sways beneath the gaslight chandeliers.
Don't worry, I made sure to take lots of notes, sketching costume ideas and imagining future designs. The world of ballet fashion is a boundless, vibrant pool of ideas, constantly changing and re-interpreting. And I, for one, will never tire of discovering its delights.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I must dash off and prepare for a ballet class this evening. It's all part of staying in peak ballerina form! And who knows what fascinating discoveries I will make in the ballet archives? Perhaps a hidden letter written by a renowned choreographer or a lost dance sketch by a famous dancer? Time, as always, is my greatest dance partner, whispering secrets about the past, and offering me countless chances to share my passion for ballet with the world, one pink tutu at a time.
Until next month, my dears!
Keep your pirouettes high, your smiles bright, and never stop dreaming about that perfect pink tutu.
Emma xx www.pink-tutu.com
