Hello darling ballet bunnies! Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, reporting live from the enchanting world of 11th November, 1960.
This month, my faithful steed, Magic Meg (yes, a magnificent pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail!) took me to a world of vibrant, exciting dance and delightful discoveries. Now, fasten your pink ballet shoes and join me as we pirouette back in time…
A Night at the BolshoiThe moment we landed, I knew we were in for a treat. We’d arrived at the grand Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the home of the legendary Bolshoi Ballet. And on this very night, they were performing none other than "Swan Lake"! You can just imagine the excitement, darling! I simply had to see this iconic production in its full glory.
Oh, the elegance and drama of this iconic ballet! The hauntingly beautiful music by Tchaikovsky, the sheer artistry of the dancers, and the spectacular costumes… I’m not ashamed to admit a tear or two welled up in my eye. This was, truly, ballet magic at its finest.
After the performance, I spent ages watching the dancers come out of the theatre, their smiles and the glittering jewels on their tutus, just like the ones I’d seen in my vintage ballet books. It was all so magical!
But even more than the dancers, it was the excitement of the crowd that I found utterly captivating. The theatre buzzed with post-performance chatter. They’d gasped, they’d cheered, they’d been swept away. It was like witnessing a beautiful dream shared by a multitude of souls. I even picked up a vintage copy of "Swan Lake" from the theatre bookshop for my rucksack - I simply cannot resist a beautiful antique.
Fashion & Dance1960 was a fabulous era for fashion and dance, I have to say. Think crisp, elegant lines, sleek silhouettes, and a playful exploration of color. The dancers’ leotards, so sophisticated with their classic ballet necklines and the vibrant colours, would have looked so gorgeous in the street fashion at that time. And of course, the tutus were exquisite – a perfect balance between romantic softness and sculptural grace. The girls were simply beautiful, a real joy for the eye!
During the day, I found myself enjoying the colourful life of Moscow, its shops and street markets. It was thrilling to see such beautiful handmade clothes being crafted and worn with pride. I have to admit I was inspired by their style - you can never have too much inspiration for new tutus.
Pink Power - Embracing the ColourIt was amazing to discover how much love there was for the colour pink in 1960s Moscow! It truly felt like the heart of the world back then! Even the ballet shoes, the shoes! My fellow ballet lovers would have just loved it. A certain, shall we say sophistication, surrounded everything, even the colour pink. I picked up a tiny box of perfectly-pink lip gloss to keep as a little reminder of this era of grace.
And I knew in my heart – pink would be my theme for the new tutu I’d design back in Derbyshire. This 1960 trip was going to inspire something incredible! I’m seeing elegant swirls, and graceful silhouettes… a dance of beauty for every woman!
The Next Stop on My Time-Travelling Ballet AdventuresBut our journey isn’t over! I've been tracking some really interesting ballet movements across the globe in November of 1960 – from the elegant English ballets to the powerful narratives of the German and Italian theatres. You can be sure my pink tutus and my love of pink will take me wherever those stories are!
Oh, my darling readers! Until next month when we discover another delightful bit of ballet history, remember to twirl with joy and keep your pink tutus handy. There’s magic in every ballet step!
See you next month for a brand-new pink ballet adventure!
Yours in tutus and time-travel,
Emma xx
