Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, time-travelling ballerina, ready to take you on another whirlwind adventure through the annals of ballet history! This month, we're stepping back in time to 4th April 1965 – a date brimming with excitement, fashion, and, of course, ballet! You can catch my blog on my website, www.pink-tutu.com – it's post number 3652, so do pop by and see!
As always, I'm venturing into the past atop my magnificent steed, Magic Meg – a shimmering pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane that could rival a cloud. My trusty leather rucksack is packed with notebooks and my trusty camera, ready to capture all the stories and treasures that await us. I am always in a rush, it seems, to spread my love of ballet, my passion for pink tutus, and of course my mission to make the world embrace the beauty and freedom of swirling pink tutus!
Now, where did I leave off last month...? Oh yes, I was mesmerised by a dazzling performance by Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn at London’s Covent Garden – I still get shivers just thinking about it! My rucksack was stuffed full of program notes, a programme and even a beautifully faded flower they’d tossed into the audience, such lucky lady am I!
Today, I find myself in Paris. The air crackles with energy, it's practically electric – as always Paris seems to be in the grips of a fashion craze – today it seems to be all about the mini skirt and hair is bouffant, big! Big, and full of hairspray and that gorgeous smelling cherry blossom hairspray they sell! I’m already working on a new look for my performance outfit – something chic and Parisian – of course, in a beautiful shade of pink!
This April 4th, the ballet world is in a frenzy! On the bill tonight at the Paris Opera – the Paris Opera, darlings, the Paris Opera!! - a gala celebrating the anniversary of The Sleeping Beauty, the famous ballet by Tchaikovsky, first performed back in 1890. Oh, the anticipation is mounting. I simply must see this! Tonight, I will be swept away in a storm of music, grace, and a sprinkling of Parisian enchantment! Can you imagine – the Palais Garnier, an exquisitely ornate, golden-and-red opera house dripping with intricate details? To be there – surrounded by history – feels simply incredible! I can't help but feel a twinge of envy for the ballerinas who will be dancing tonight, but my admiration knows no bounds!
The Paris Opera House was completed back in the late 1800s - quite a contrast to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. It has these elaborate gilded ceilings and these impressive chandelier drops - it makes you feel like a princess, but in a regal manner!
In 1965 Paris, fashion seems to have its eye on the ‘Sixties New Look’. For example, the Carnaby Street Look, the ‘Swinging Sixties' was about a young rebellious style that contrasted with 'The Established Look' from the 1950s. It is this clash of old world tradition and modern rebellion which draws me to this era so. We all love to see the changes through the fashion of the times – this look is exciting, youthful and free spirited. We should never forget this style - with a fabulous mini skirt with opaque black tights and some classic black patent shoes and, for the slightly more sophisticated – a mini skirt with some high boots – oh my! And don't forget the matching little bag - all that style is such a strong statement! What makes this look particularly interesting – they still used a lot of the old vintage styles as well! The beauty of the 1950s Dior New Look styles - with that gorgeous tight, fitted waist, wide skirts and the petticoat styles. This clash between old and new is truly electrifying! I hope I’m not inspiring you to have a huge clear out and find all your vintage fashions – I find that with clothes, vintage pieces look incredible, but make sure you don't just wear it to the supermarket or you might cause a little confusion - maybe we could have a time travelling ball with our outfits all made from past fashion trends!! The only problem would be making it all fit for the present-day…
But tonight is all about ballet.
I can't wait to see how the Paris Opera ballet dancers – both the corps de ballet and the stars of the show - embrace the story of Sleeping Beauty in their performance. The Paris Opera's choreography will be magnificent! I can almost hear the exquisite harmonies of the Tchaikovsky score ringing out through the air. And with all the swirling tulle and elegant, sweeping steps - oh, darling, just imagine! The grand jeté's, the arabesques… And the artistry of those dancers is unparalleled! Their passion and dedication are so inspiring.
But I think it’s about more than just dancing - it’s about love, dreams and the ultimate victory of good over evil - this is the perfect romantic escape for this evening. I hope you are all dreaming of Paris, or dancing under a beautiful sky with a glass of chilled champagne... and I’m off to see the Ballet in all it’s Parisian grandeur. See you next month – with all my love. Emma.
xx
About Emma:
Emma is a time travelling ballet enthusiast and a ballerina with a love for pink. From Derbyshire, she travels through time on a magnificent horse called Magic Meg, learning about ballet and wearing beautiful tutus everywhere she goes. Emma wants to see the world embrace the elegance and joy of wearing a pink tutu, even going so far as trying to make the world embrace the fashion in each era. If you’d like to catch up with her, she blogs once a month at www.pink-tutu.com and if you ever happen to see a pink tutu twirling past you at your favourite ballet, she's probably there - and might even catch your eye, you’ll have to give her a little wave. And for those of you who have your very own Magic Meg, be sure to bring me back a memorabilia!
