Hey ballerinas, ballet boys and anyone with a love for tutus, welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travel! This month, we're whisking back to a sunny July day in 1990, the air buzzing with the anticipation of the ballet season. Let's pack our dance bags with shimmering memories, a dash of 90s nostalgia, and of course, a whole heap of pink.
As always, my trusty steed, the enchanting Magic Meg, has saddled up, her pink shimmering coat a perfect match for my latest tutu – a pastel blush masterpiece with layers of tulle that feel like dancing on air. Magic Meg snorted with excitement, ready to gallop through time to witness ballet history unfold.
First stop – New York City! It's hard to resist the bright lights of Broadway, isn't it? This month in 1990, New York City was experiencing a balletic renaissance with two spectacular performances gracing the stage. At the New York City Ballet, a programme celebrating the choreography of Jerome Robbins captivated audiences with its dynamism and emotional range. At the same time, the American Ballet Theatre premiered their own innovative performance of "Swan Lake" featuring the stunningly talented dancer, Gelsey Kirkland, as Odette/Odile. I swear, my heart leapt at the sight of the corps de ballet gracefully sweeping across the stage in their timeless white tutus!
From the bright lights of New York to the charming cobbled streets of Paris, our journey continued. July 1990 saw the vibrant “Le Carnaval des Animaux” (The Carnival of the Animals) by Camille Saint-Saëns take centre stage at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. Imagine – colourful costumes, playful characters, and the breathtaking talent of French dancers performing with sheer joy. Paris, always a favourite stop for fashion and style, inspired me to rummage through my vintage tutu collection. My pastel pink tutu is just screaming to be worn at the next ballet event!
We galloped across Europe, arriving in London for a truly special occasion – the "Nutcracker" at the Royal Opera House. This month, a cast of young talents brought Tchaikovsky's timeless classic to life for an entirely new generation, capturing the magic of Christmas in summer. With its twinkling snow flakes and heartwarming story, "The Nutcracker" always feels like coming home, don't you agree?
While ballet was stealing the spotlight, my trusty rucksack was filling up with beautiful keepsakes. This month, I snagged a rare first-edition ballet book by the famed ballet teacher Dame Ninette de Valois. With each page, I imagined a world of graceful figures and captivating movements - it's enough to make you want to dance!
Our travels wouldn't be complete without a little ballet shopping spree. On a side street in Paris, I discovered the most exquisite pair of pointe shoes, crafted from the softest leather, with an almost antique feel. It reminded me that the world of ballet is all about detail and artistry. A tutu is just the beginning, you know what I mean?
This journey has once again reminded me that ballet is truly an international language – a beautiful expression that transcends borders, languages, and time itself. And if you're still asking "Why pink tutus, Emma?", well, it’s simple: it's a colour that evokes dreams, magic, and the beautiful chaos of ballet. I think it’s a pretty darn good reflection of this fantastical world of time travel.
As we’re back home, I’m already plotting our next ballet journey. I just can't get enough of those vintage ballet costumes, the excitement of live performances and those captivating stories of the ballet world. Maybe we'll be dancing on a cobbled street in Seville or soaring through the grand opera houses of Moscow! Until next month, keep dancing and spread the joy of pink tutus everywhere you go.
Yours in Ballet, Emma xx
*P.S. Don’t forget to check out the new online ballet shop at www.pink-tutu.com. I have an amazing selection of vintage and handmade tutus to add to your own ballerina wardrobe, all in the glorious shade of pink! *
Follow my ballet time travel adventures on all my socials: @Emmapinktutu!
