Hello lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-clad time-traveller, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! Today, my shimmering steed, Magic Meg, and I are whisking ourselves back to 9th September 1923! This date holds a special place in ballet history for, oh, the dazzling spectacle it was!
But first, a little confession: life’s been a whirlwind of twirls and tiaras these last few weeks. As you all know, a good ballet dancer needs her practice and I've been keeping my performance schedule chock-full of glittering shows at the Derbyshire Theatre, even in between whizzing through the centuries with Magic Meg. The earnings have been flowing, and let me tell you, those lovely funds will be splashed out on the most fabulous vintage tutus (a little peek at my latest haul later, promise!)
Speaking of sequins and silks, how fabulous do my pink tutus look against this year's harvest colours? It’s the perfect backdrop for a spin around the countryside on Magic Meg, who looks particularly splendid in her pink bridle (handmade with real, shimmering pearls!)
And speaking of dazzling colours… how are you enjoying September's new ballet colours? A beautiful burnt orange, a luscious ruby red, and of course, pink! Pink for everything, everywhere, always!
Back to our time-hopping adventure, dear readers. 9th September 1923... a date to remember. Picture it: I’m sitting in the front row of the legendary Opéra de Paris. Imagine a wave of opulent pink chiffon ruffles rippling around me (my newest creation!) The air thrumming with excited whispers from the Parisian crowd. My heart beats like a double pirouette. We’re about to witness one of the biggest ballet moments of the year – a ballet company with the glamour and charm that makes my tutu flutter just thinking about it: The Ballets Russes!
That's right, dear friends, this legendary troupe of dancers (imagine them all with the grace and elegance of twirling rosebuds) are at their zenith, dazzling audiences around the world. Their style is something else – innovative, fiery, breathtakingly athletic, and all about exquisite visual storytelling through the language of movement. It's what truly embodies what ballet is about: a whirlwind of artistic beauty that spins you away on a cloud of grace and fantasy!
Now, just think of this! Back then, 1923, a world of ballets was flourishing, waiting to be seen! A huge tour of the USA by Pavlova (did I tell you about my obsession with this dazzlingly brilliant ballerina?! She was like a living, dancing goddess!), then there were all those stunning Russian companies that made history at the London Coliseum, not to mention all those enchanting dancers making a splash at the Old Vic. Even now, just imagining the shimmering stage lights of London's Coliseum, makes me feel all warm inside, ready to pirouette onto that stage myself.
Oh! Don’t even get me started on the wonderful costume designs back then! Just imagine it – silks flowing and dancing around you like moonlight, satins reflecting all the pink lights of the stage – they're absolutely sensational. That’s why I’m going to dig deep in the archive to share a few gems of costume photos on Pink Tutu later on.
You can find more details about those lovely shows, from all those gorgeous performances around the globe, on my Pink Tutu Time Travels website, along with my latest sketches of beautiful ballerinas and my must-have tutu collection from my recent shopping spree!
Speaking of tutu shopping, my darling Magic Meg has just given me a nudge – it's time for our next adventure, And we're not stopping anywhere without a proper visit to the best vintage ballet dress shop!
See you soon!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
