Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another adventure through the wondrous world of ballet! This month, we’re pirouetting back to the vibrant 1980s, landing right in the heart of February, on the 2nd to be precise. And let me tell you, this particular day holds a whole heap of balletic magic waiting to be uncovered!
Magic Meg, my trusty steed and a shimmering vision of pink sparkle (a pink shire horse, golden hooves, white mane and tail - truly, the most elegant horse in all of time!) galloped us through the swirling mist to a world pulsating with the energy of the late 80s. I just love the eighties - bold fashion, glorious music, and such fantastic hairstyles, with hairspray thicker than a meringue!
We touched down in the vibrant city of London, England, where, to my absolute delight, the Royal Opera House was holding a particularly delightful treat.
Imagine this - the iconic Sadler's Wells Theatre (such a historical gem!) had just premiered a groundbreaking ballet production, ‘Cinderella’. Now, don't you think there's just something wonderful about seeing this classic story brought to life with fresh eyes? I was just so thrilled, it made me want to twirl on the spot!
After enjoying the performance, I felt an overwhelming need to share the sheer joy and beauty of it with everyone. My darling readers, do you remember that exquisite sensation, that fluttering feeling of pure magic when you watch ballet? I had to share that feeling with the world! That's how the idea of my ‘Pink Tutu’ ballet time travel blog came to be - my little corner of the internet to celebrate ballet history, encourage everyone to embrace their inner ballerina, and most importantly, inspire all you lovelies to try out wearing a pink tutu (you know it’s a statement, darlings!).
And let’s not forget my ballet performances – they help keep the purse strings tight and the pink sparkle in my life alive! Dancing on a London stage, sharing the joy of movement with those eager for a dose of balletic magic, is honestly, just the most fulfilling thing.
This evening, I tucked myself in amongst the crowds of fashionable onlookers outside the theatre, mesmerised by the bold prints and flamboyant designs of 80s London. The thrill of witnessing history unfold right before my eyes was a dizzying and heartwarming experience. This trip gave me such inspiration for my next design - it involves pink, sparkles, and lots of volume! It was then that I spotted it: a glorious antique shop with a collection of beautifully hand-painted ballet slippers – an absolutely perfect find for my ballet history collection, my dear! I slipped the box into my leather rucksack with the pride of a true ballet archaeologist, along with some carefully collected scraps of vintage programs, ticket stubs, and, my dear, did you see those magazine clippings I snagged?!
I also spotted a couple of beautiful posters advertising performances coming up - 'The Nutcracker', 'Swan Lake' - the classics are timeless for a reason. Even back in 1987, ballet was clearly the heart of the theatre world. Just like it is now! It was then I found myself completely absorbed in the rhythm of the London streets, imagining all the ballet classes in the studios and every little girl dancing in her own home with dreams of taking to the stage.
Before the day was done, my rucksack overflowed with stories from the heart of the ballet world in the 1980s. You just can't put a price on those glimpses into the past, especially when it's shared through the enchanting world of ballet. It's no wonder I call this journey "a twirl through time"!
Well darlings, time to wind down, but I’ll leave you with this: why not add a touch of magic to your week and twirl in a pink tutu? Embrace your inner ballerina - the world is your stage!
Love, Emma 🩰💖
www.pink-tutu.com
