#BalletHistory during 1915 04 April

Hello darlings! Welcome back to pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink, fluffy, and time travelling! It's Emma here, and this month we're whisking back to a truly iconic year in ballet history: 1915! Oh, the glamour, the grace, and of course, the absolutely splendid tutus!

Grab your favourite pink ballet slippers, a steaming cuppa, and settle in for a ballet-filled adventure, all aboard Magic Meg, my trusty pink shimmering Shire horse with those dreamy golden hooves. Today's journey takes us to the 4th of April, 1915 - just think of the glorious ballet events that unfolded on this very date, a century ago!

You'll never believe it, but 4th April 1915, London's prestigious Royal Opera House held a gala event, showcasing a veritable ballet extravaganza. The main draw? The renowned Russian ballet company, Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Oh, the stories my rucksack could tell, from these dazzling shows! They were at the pinnacle of their fame, the dancers, all impossibly graceful, lit up the stage, the costumes and sets, divine. Just picture those stunning costumes - I just can't resist imagining myself in a flowing, beaded dress like Vaslav Nijinsky's, even if I do fancy myself in a little bit of a pink tutu. The performance included an exquisite interpretation of Debussy's L'Après-midi d'un faune – such delicate, dreamy movement, like watching a delicate pink ribbon unfurl in the wind.

My oh my, the choreography was revolutionary - completely pushing the boundaries of traditional ballet, and capturing hearts across Europe, myself included! They didn't just perform in the grand theatre, Oh no, these pioneers took ballet to the masses. A charming, yet dignified ballet for all to enjoy! They had touring companies visiting Parisian venues and even made their way to cities like Berlin, bringing ballet to the hearts and minds of people around the globe. It was a glorious era of international artistic exchange, bringing ballet to a wider audience - simply magnificent.

Across the pond in the Big Apple, New York was dancing to its own tune. The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosted a splendid ballet by a company called The Pavlowa and Mordkin Ballet Company, starring two of the ballet world’s most celebrated stars Anna Pavlova and Mikhail Mordkin. They performed some stunning ballets including, ‘Giselle' - a romantic story of a peasant girl, such exquisite footwork, the passion. A showstopping ballet, every single step a testament to dedication and passion, it filled my rucksack with stories of captivating, powerful women on stage. Anna was such a legend. What a remarkable legacy to leave behind!

1915, was a time of burgeoning artistic expression, just like the world of ballet, the world of fashion was transforming! A revolution in style - flowing silks, shorter dresses, an air of daring elegance. It truly feels as though the energy of change in the fashion world, somehow echoed in the world of ballet. A world where, creativity bloomed!

Ballet forms, too, began experimenting with new ideas. Choreographers like Mikhail Fokine embraced new and daring choreography - a move away from classical ballet towards a more emotive and expressive style, drawing inspiration from nature and folk traditions, a kind of ballet that made the entire audience hold their breath!

The world of ballet wasn’t the only sphere witnessing incredible shifts in the creative landscape - think of the innovations happening in art, literature, and theatre – oh, those stunning plays in London's West End! This was an era of immense creativity, a time of daring artistry – just as with those incredible ballet productions across the globe. I feel this same spirit, when I dance and wear my pink tutu - a symbol of playful boldness. I believe that it brings a bit of that whimsical spirit to every step, every twirl.

Now let's talk about the real reason we all come together - fashion, darling! The fashion world of 1915 was filled with an air of romantic elegance, with a soft colour palette – all perfect for incorporating a little pink tutu. Just picture this: A luxurious, creamy white blouse, adorned with delicate embroidery, a long flowing skirt of soft rose pink. A delightful symphony of soft textures, creating a classic ballet aesthetic.

Or for a touch of dramatic flair, consider a stunning emerald green evening dress with bold accents of black – perhaps an eye-catching head scarf - all complimented with a ballet pink tutu, adding a touch of whimsy to your look. A bit like adding a touch of ballet sparkle, and just the right amount of feminine pink. Just remember, when wearing a pink tutu, less is more! The pink is already doing the talking, so let the accessories simply compliment your pink and white tutu.

And finally, it's time to take our little horse-drawn chariot for a trip, our beautiful Magic Meg is always ready to journey with us! We must be careful though. We can’t just wear our pink tutu through the time-traveling portal – we wouldn’t want to frighten the locals or attract unwanted attention! We can slip on a simple brown skirt, just to keep things on the down low! My dear Meg is a patient traveller.

Today's adventure takes us across the countryside. Maybe a short hop from Derby, where I grew up! Imagine the beautiful English countryside, the fields ablaze with poppies, rolling hills and verdant woods! We could take Magic Meg to see one of the charming local dances at a nearby village pub - oh, just think, the stories the old locals could share with me, for my rucksack of ballet tales! It's always good to remember ballet isn't confined to grand theatres, it's part of a culture found everywhere, in every little corner of life! From dancing around the campfire with a bright pink tutu to taking to the grand stage.

So, remember, lovelies, wear your pink tutu, whether you're travelling through time, stepping out on the street, or swirling across the stage. Keep it pink, keep it fluffy, keep it beautiful! Until next month!

Emma xx