Hello, my lovely tutus! Itās Emma here, your very own ballet-loving time traveller, and today weāre pirouetting back to August 8th, 1962! Get your pinkest tutus ready because weāre about to embark on a fabulously fashionable journey through the world of ballet history.
Now, I know you all love my pink tutu, itās my signature style, but even Iām admitting that for this particular trip, it needed a little extra sparkle. A trip to 1962 requires a real statement look, so Iāve added some shimmering sequins and a whole lot of attitude. Weāre stepping back in time to see what ballerinas were wearing, dancing to, and dreaming about back in the groovy ā60s!
Donāt forget my trusty sidekick ā Magic Meg. My dear shire horse with the golden hooves and the softest, most sparkling white mane and tail you could imagine! Weāll be flying through time and she, of course, is sporting a pink saddle to match my tutu. I couldn't even think of travelling without matching. After all, pink and sparkly are the foundations of life. Just ask my Derbyshire neighbours. I reckon I've given the local market traders some great ideas, all inspired by my pink tutu!
Okay, now that my look is absolutely perfect for the occasion, we can finally take off on this monthās trip to 1962! What better way to celebrate 8th August than with a glimpse into the ballet world back in those vibrant times? This is going to be a truly inspiring time-travel adventure - prepare for fabulous!
A Ballerina's Guide to 1962: London, New York, Parisā¦and beyond!
Weāre landing first in London, where the Royal Ballet was holding a matinee performance of āSwan Lakeā on this very day. I bet it was absolutely beautiful. That majestic music, the classic stepsā¦it just gets me every time.
Speaking of steps, Iām on a real mission to capture all the legendary ballet movements from that period. From the āsissoneā (a jump where the dancer springs off one leg, extending the other) to the āpas de deuxā (a duet between two dancers) to the oh-so-graceful āarabesqueā, itās all a work of art. I think I'm even getting better at those delicate Ć la seconde poses. Maybe Iāll take a couple of classes at the Royal Ballet School - it would just be amazing to get back in those classic positions and to pick up tips from some of the best.
I also want to sneak a peek into the world of ballet fashion. I know that ballerina tutus were changing ā we were on the brink of modern design! Can you believe they were experimenting with more revealing styles? But my favourites will always be the traditional tulle tutus - thatās just me being a bit old-fashioned. It's the shape that just oozes ballerina elegance, so light and airy - a real dream! And we simply must look for those exquisite pointe shoes! The precision of their design - just perfection! Of course, Iāll be collecting some little mementoes from the ballet world in 1962, tucking them safely in my leather rucksack so I can take them back and share them with you all on my website. Itās all for the love of ballet and my beautiful tutus, darlings!
But this is just the beginning. I can't resist a little bit of travel around the globe.
Off to New York City now, for the American Ballet Theatre's performance of āThe Nutcrackerā. Oh my, I love those Sugar Plum Fairy costumes ā so magical! They had that delicate pastel pink look that just matches my style, perfect for the winter season. Now this is the kind of show where I would love to be on stage - to be swept away in the magic of it all. Letās have a sneak peek at the backstage world ā a ballet studio and a little taste of the stage experience is what my dreams are made of!
Time for another Ć la seconde move as we travel on to Paris! Iāve got a date with the Paris OpĆ©ra Ballet - I canāt miss out on seeing a legendary Parisian show. The Paris OpĆ©ra House is truly grand and absolutely stunning ā imagine all the stories those beautiful chandeliers have heard! But it's the stories the dancers create that always draw me in, from graceful movements and elegant gestures to a splash of passion and power - they create such emotion on the stage, and thatās what gets me dancing every single time.
I hear that a new ballet choreography sensation is working at the Paris OpĆ©ra this August. Someone called Roland Petit. Heās renowned for his contemporary ballet choreography ā thatās modern, cutting-edge dance - really different to the more traditional ballets I love so much, but interesting nonetheless. Iām definitely taking some notes - maybe there are a few exciting new steps to introduce into my ballet wardrobe.
Before heading home to Derbyshire, Iāll have to do a little ballet-themed shopping! I wonder if I can pick up a few bits for the āPink-Tutuā websiteā¦ maybe a delicate ballet accessory ā a headband or a set of gloves for that final, elegant flourish? Iāve even got an idea for my next tutu ā a combination of pale pink with splashes of shimmery silver. It will be perfect for my next dance class and for a new fashion shoot at Derbyshire Peak District National Park - we will be on a peak to conquer.
* Back to Derbyshire*
Well, my lovelies, time for another big wave from me to you - itās back home to Derbyshire for another long horse-powered ride - Magic Meg will need a good carrot break - but that doesnāt mean we will be slacking! This monthās travels will be perfect to inspire my ballet blog. The stories of 1962 have got me spinning! From London to New York, Paris, and all those fabulous memories - theyāll be here on Pink-Tutu.com to share with you. Keep coming back and share my passion for all things ballet! Donāt forget your tutu - weāve got some brilliant new ballet fashion tips to share and there's just so much to discover when it comes to ballet history, ballet classes and a life full of ballet love.
Next month? I'm thinking back to the golden age of dance in 1879. Imagine the costumes and the glamour of that eraā¦ and that makes me just a tiny bit giddy with excitement!
Stay pink!
Emma
