#BalletHistory during 1902 03 March

Hello my darling ballet bunnies! 💖 It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another glimpse into the wonderful world of ballet history. This month, we're galloping through time on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg, to March 3rd, 1902, ready to soak up the delights of the ballet world.

Before we embark on this grand adventure, I must tell you about the divine ballet performance I saw in Derbyshire this past weekend. The Royal Ballet's production of Swan Lake was utterly breathtaking! The graceful movements of the dancers, the exquisite music, the sheer elegance - it all felt like a fairytale. I think I spent most of the performance dreaming of pirouettes and swaying my little pink tutu in the air!

Anyway, back to 1902! This year is filled with so much ballet excitement! Anna Pavlova is in her prime, dancing her heart out across the world, and Diaghilev is busy putting together his Ballets Russes company, which will revolutionise ballet as we know it. But enough with the spoilers! It's time for us to explore this enchanting era!

As always, I’ve got my trusty leather rucksack, ready to be filled with all the fascinating stories and treasures this time period has to offer. We're galloping through London, England, this time, so let's get our tutus twirling!

A Royal Affair at Covent Garden 👑

The first thing I notice is that London's Royal Opera House is abuzz! The Royal Ballet, then known as the Imperial Ballet, is preparing for a new production of La Fille Mal Gardée. This ballet, full of spirited country dancing and charming storytelling, always makes my heart flutter! I bet they have delightful costumes and colourful sets in this performance. I wonder if the costumes are influenced by the new wave of 'la Belle Epoque' fashion? Oh, I must visit the museum at the Opera House later and see what designs they have from this production!

Paris: The Heart of Ballet 🇫🇷

Jumping across the channel, we arrive in Paris, where the city of lights pulsates with balletic energy. The Ballet Russes company is already causing quite a stir with their revolutionary choreography and exotic costumes. I can just imagine myself walking through Paris with the company - stopping for macarons, then joining the crowd to see Isadora Duncan perform, an enchanting figure who’s taking Paris by storm.

While in Paris, I simply have to take a trip to one of the grand department stores like La Samaritaine, a paradise for lovers of all things elegant! I just know their fabric department is going to be divine! Silks, satins, lace, and velvet! What amazing inspirations for tutu creations! I must purchase a beautiful silk scarf to commemorate our trip to Paris and a silk ribbon for my hair, just because I love pretty things.

As our Parisian adventure wraps up, we mustn't forget a dash of bohemian spirit. Let’s find ourselves in the charming streets of Montmartre, a buzzing centre of creativity where the likes of Picasso, Matisse, and Renoir mingle with bohemian dancers! This is where dance truly feels like a language of the soul. Oh, I hope there's an opportunity to have tea at one of the artistic cafés - to learn from these talented souls.

As the moon begins to rise over London, we take one last glance at 1902. Our adventure has brought us wonderful tales, stories, and inspirations! Time travel may take us to different eras and places, but our love for ballet always guides us home.

Now, I’ll have to dust off my sewing machine, gather up some of the gorgeous silk and lace I purchased, and create a brand new pink tutu inspired by all the exquisite dance I saw on this month’s time travel. Maybe even a new scarf inspired by the bohemian Parisian style!

I can't wait to see what adventures await us in April - until then, dance on, my dear ballet bunnies! 🩰

With lots of twirls and a sprinkle of pink,

Emma 💖

P.S. If you'd like to see the beautiful tutus inspired by this journey, follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuTimeTravel. I’m already posting snippets of my designs! 😉