Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller! Ready for another whirlwind adventure through the history of ballet? 🩰💖 Buckle up your tap shoes, grab a glass of bubbly (or maybe some rose-infused tea, since we're in the Victorian era!), and join me as we twirl back to January 1st, 1901.
This month, I'm thrilled to be whisking you all to a fascinating year. 1901 saw the dawn of a new century, but it also marked the start of something quite special in the world of ballet: a golden age of innovation and change. And, oh darling, my pink tutu just felt perfectly in sync with all the glorious things happening on the dance floor!
I hopped onto Magic Meg's back – she's my trusty steed, a stunning pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail – and set off with a playful little kick of her hooves! We sped through time, leaving behind the hum of the twenty-first century, until we found ourselves in bustling Victorian London.
Stepping onto the cobbled streets, the air was a mix of coal smoke, horse manure, and something delightfully spicy from a nearby bakery. I just adore the way a century ago, a day just smelled different.
Oh! You know, just thinking about it reminds me that before we go on this grand adventure, darling, we need to talk about my absolutely fabulous pink tutu, of course! For 1901, I decided to go for a vintage-inspired pink tutu. You know, one of those dreamy ones with a longer, flowy skirt, a romantic silhouette. But a twirl-worthy silhouette, darling, with just a hint of lace trim for a little bit of Victorian elegance. Honestly, it was the perfect blend of ballet beauty and time-travel style.
My First Stop: The London Coliseum
The reason I landed in London, dear readers, was a must-see ballet: La Source. It’s a tale of a love triangle set in the Balkan Mountains with choreography from Marius Petipa and an opulent setting by Russian designer Constantin Korovin. Imagine exquisite dancers in dazzling costumes against the backdrop of vibrant, luminous sets! Honestly, it’s just enough to send any ballerina into a flurry of pink tutus!
The Colosseum was absolutely bursting with anticipation. Ladies with towering hats and flowing gowns brushed shoulders with men in top hats and morning coats, their faces lit with excitement for the performance. Now, don’t worry, darlings, this isn't one of those silent films you might have seen! It had a beautiful, dramatic score from Delibes, one of my absolute favourites! It really painted the scene and brought to life the heart-pounding emotions of the tale!
Oh, and the story itself – you wouldn’t believe how emotional it got! A stolen kiss! A vengeful rival! A curse that sets lovers adrift! It’s honestly just pure theatre gold! After La Source, the entire audience erupted in cheers, giving a rousing standing ovation. They’re not called ballet “enthusiasts” for nothing, darling!
Fashion, Shopping, and More!
As the magic of the performance still resonated in the air, I slipped away from the London Colosseum. There was still so much more to experience! Just as my tummy started grumbling, my senses were teased by a most divine aroma! A freshly baked batch of Victorian sponge cake with pink frosting! What a coincidence! This, of course, required an immediate detour for a delightful treat, after which I was free to go for a bit of vintage ballet shopping.
You know how I am, always a little smitten by ballet-related objects. So imagine my delight when I discovered a tiny shop with the most gorgeous antique pointe shoes. I managed to haggle a bargain, and they are now a prized addition to my rucksack (which, I might add, is also a lovely shade of pink!).
One of the things I absolutely love about time-travelling is discovering how fashion influences ballet. In 1901, the “Gibson Girl” was the ideal – a figure with an elegant hourglass shape, all emphasized by cinched waists, full skirts, and delicate blouses with puffed sleeves. And ballet fashion at the time really mirrored that. The long, romantic tutus were designed to show off the delicate beauty of a female form. You know what, it gave off a real “ballet ballerina in the Victorian age” feel. A delightful mix, truly!
Dancing to the Rhythm of History
Now, you might be wondering how a little Derbyshire girl like me gets to go on these amazing time-travelling adventures! Well, it’s all thanks to my love for ballet! I perform in local theatres and charity events to fund my explorations, and, let me tell you, my love of ballet only gets stronger the more I see and experience it.
If you’d like to follow along, dear readers, I invite you to join me over on my website, www.pink-tutu.com, and get ready to delve into more captivating stories from the past. I’ll keep sharing my time-travel adventures with you every month! After all, a little bit of time-travel can brighten even the gloomiest of days, don’t you think?
Till next time, remember to always be true to yourself, follow your dreams, and most importantly, wear a pink tutu – every day! ✨💖
