Hello darling, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu! September has always been a special month for me. Not only do the autumn leaves begin their magnificent descent into shades of crimson and gold (a most stunning inspiration for any ballet dancer's costume, I think!), but it's also the time I feel most drawn to time travel. It's as though the crisp, fresh air carries me back to some distant ballet ball. This month, I found myself whisked away to 1972, and oh my, what a delightful time we had!
Let's start with my beloved steed, Magic Meg. This month, her hooves were shod with sparkling pink crystals to match my shimmering, feather-light pink tutu. Oh, the flutter as she galloped us through time, past fields of ripe corn and rolling green hills – it was truly magical. I know you love a glimpse of my travelling wardrobe, so imagine my delight when, upon arriving in the 1972 ballet world, I found a pair of ruby red shoes to complement my dazzling ensemble.
Stepping out into the bustling streets of London, the air thrummed with a vibrant energy. 1972, dear readers, was the era of “the revolution,” where fashion trends took bold new shapes and embraced flamboyant individuality. Think flared trousers, dramatic geometric patterns, and a youthful spirit – and that was mirrored in the world of ballet! I must confess, it made me even more determined to inspire a pink tutu revolution! Imagine all of you dancing in fluffy pink skirts, swirling and leaping through your days, spreading a symphony of joyful colour and grace.
Of course, my first stop had to be a ballet theatre. In fact, there were multiple companies performing at the time. There was the ever-inspiring Royal Ballet, who was presenting the stunning spectacle of “Cinderella,” featuring Margot Fonteyn's effortless beauty, and Rudolf Nureyev's powerful dance moves. They even included a grand finale with 52 ballerinas! Now that is a sight that never fails to ignite a pink tutu-inspired spectacle within my soul. There were also contemporary companies springing up, like the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, pushing the boundaries of the artform, and the always-electrifying Royal Ballet, captivating audiences with their bold, contemporary work.
Speaking of the theatre, I simply had to go backstage, as a proper explorer should! A whirlwind of creative energy buzzed around the theatre. Backstage was abuzz with preparations for that evening's performance, with the scent of hairspray and costume tulle in the air, accompanied by the constant tap-tap-tap of a dancer's rhythmically nimble feet, preparing for the show.
And, the icing on the cake, as I like to say, was a visit to a beautiful new ballet studio, housed in a Victorian-era building! You see, the seventies were a time of change, with a passion for contemporary expression taking root in the dance world. I loved how even within the classical tradition, ballet was evolving, adapting to contemporary themes and embracing new approaches to dance education. I learned so much that day about technique and the stories within dance, and even picked up a new step or two, which I’ll be incorporating into my own upcoming performance. I might even make my tutu a little extra frilly next month in homage!
My visit to the ballet studio allowed me to fill my rucksack with all sorts of fascinating artifacts - a vintage ballet shoe, an old programme from “Giselle” and some incredible notes by a young dancer detailing a new dance choreography that incorporated traditional Indian dance steps. The passion that danced through the studio’s windows was infectious, and I left with a head brimming with inspiration.
And the world of ballet outside of London? Oh my! A glorious exploration indeed. In Paris, I fell head-over-heels for the elegant beauty of “Sleeping Beauty” presented by the esteemed Paris Opera Ballet. Even my Magic Meg got swept away by the romanticism, her pink hooves gently tapping to the music. We ventured across to Russia to witness the brilliance of Mikhail Baryshnikov at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow - his performance was simply electrifying! This iconic figure had the entire theatre buzzing with energy and I’ve already started dreaming of creating a Russian-themed pink tutu design inspired by his amazing style. I could imagine the velvet and silk shimmering under the theatre’s spotlights, so elegant yet captivating!
There is simply too much to cover in a single blog post, so next time, my dears, I will share the ballet-fashion discoveries I made, with everything from the revolutionary outfits of the dancers (oh, the flares!) to the dazzling costumes from the shows, some of them were truly iconic!
Do join me again in October, dear reader. Remember, to join the Pink Tutu movement! Let's fill the world with joy and pink, a shimmering, fluffy expression of beauty and passion! Until then, dance with glee and always remember - there’s always time to travel with your heart.
Yours always,
Emma
