Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your pink tutu-loving time travelling ballerina, back with another whirl through history. Today's journey is taking us all the way to the vibrant city of Paris, where ballet was positively booming in 1922! Grab your champagne and put on your best feather boa, we're going on an adventure!
I had to hop on Magic Meg (my gorgeous pink Shire horse with her sparkly mane and tail, did I mention she's got golden hooves?) and head to Paris, because darling, the world of ballet was bursting with excitement on this very date! Now, let's delve into the world of pink tutus, swirling pirouettes, and enchanting performances!
Firstly, let's talk about fashion. Paris has always been the centre of fashion, and the 1920s were no different! It was all about the flapper dresses, daring necklines, and glamorous beads. I couldn't resist sneaking into a vintage shop, and just imagine my delight - I found the most fabulous beaded flapper dress, in my favourite colour, pink! It's the perfect way to add a bit of 1920s glamour to my usual tutu. (Because, darling, let's be honest, even the most stylish time-travelling ballerina can appreciate a touch of fashion from the past.)
As I was wandering the Parisian streets, I stumbled upon a performance at the Théatre National de l'Opéra, an enchanting venue with rich velvet seats and sparkling chandeliers. My eyes widened! The Ballet Russe, led by the legendary Sergei Diaghilev, was performing! Now, darling, I was positively giddy with excitement. Diaghilev's ballet company was at the height of its fame, and they were bringing to the stage the very essence of artistry, a dazzling mix of music, costume, and dance.
The show I witnessed was “Le Sacre du Printemps” ("The Rite of Spring") - it was controversial when it first premiered in 1913 but had become an iconic work of the ballet repertoire. The bold, unconventional movements, inspired by Russian folklore and rituals, left me utterly enthralled. The dancers, dressed in earthy colours, their movements were primal and raw.
After the show, I wandered around the theatre, soaking up the buzz, and I had the chance to peek into a few of the dressing rooms. I mean, how could I resist? I saw dancers preparing for their roles, their faces painted, their hair elaborately styled - the scene was truly magical. One of the dancers even let me touch her fabulous tutu! She told me it was made from a very special fabric that shimmered under the stage lights.
I know, I know, I must be absolutely buzzing with excitement from my time travel escapade. And you know, I can't help but wonder, wouldn't it be utterly delightful if the dancers on stage had been wearing pink tutus?
After the performance, I found the most charming café. As I sipped on my hot chocolate, a gentleman approached me. We ended up chatting about everything, and guess what? He invited me to join him and his friends for a delightful ballet class at a local studio. We all joined hands and glided through a sequence of graceful steps - it was so much fun, we giggled through it all! It made me think, perhaps even 1920s Parisians appreciated a good ballet lesson and a sprinkle of pink.
This adventure was absolutely overflowing with beauty and elegance. I managed to snag some exquisite items from 1922 to add to my collection, tucked away safely in my leather rucksack. Just wait until you see them!
So darling, as we continue our pink tutu time-travelling adventure together, don't forget to embrace the magical moments of the past, and keep your head held high, ready to twirl into any adventure that comes your way. I'll be back next month with another whirl through time.
Until then, twirl on,
Emma
xxx
P.S. Don't forget to visit my website www.pink-tutu.com and share your favourite ballet moments with me!
