Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu! It's me, Emma, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina, and May is in the air! Now, I'm a huge fan of spring. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and it's time for a grand springtime tour through history, wouldn't you say? Today, my gorgeous Meg and I are heading back to May 1994, just as the flowers were getting their show on in our lovely Derbyshire, too.
You know me, always a fashionista at heart, so let me tell you, darling, 1994 was just divine! Imagine, bold colours and bright prints, all those beautiful floral designs that could rival even a bloom in full flourish! Just think of it! And of course, all those classic 90's styles that made their way back with a vengeance, haven't you noticed? The ripped denim, the crop tops, the oversized sweaters – oh, darling, I think 1994 may just be my favourite decade after the golden age of ballet! And guess what? Even the tutus back then were something special! Remember how it was the height of fashion to wear these little pouffy mini tutus with those sparkly tights? So chic! I just can't wait to take my look for a spin on a grand Victorian stage with all those frills and feathers!
Speaking of grand stages, what’s a pink-tutu time traveller doing in 1994 you ask? Well, I simply can't pass up the opportunity to catch some ballet magic! Let's step into the history of ballet, shall we? The ballet world in 1994 was simply bubbling over with talent and artistry, with big-name performances in every corner of the world!
Let's Go On Stage, Shall We?
Over in the States, the New York City Ballet were having their annual Spring season! Just imagine being able to take in the grace of those ballerinas on that stage! Oh darling, they’re some of my most favourite ballerinas to watch, and I can just imagine the wonderful George Balanchine choreography that they were performing back then! He was truly a ballet visionary, a true maestro, with his revolutionary pieces that broke away from traditional structures. I mean, Agon and Jewels! Who doesn't love these two iconic ballets, I say?
I could die for some Balanchine, couldn’t you, dear? Luckily, for me, Mikhail Baryshnikov was touring around the States at the same time – a veritable ballet God, a dancer who made his debut at 19! A heart-stoppingly talented ballet dancer – can you imagine being on that stage? Oh, what a performance I can only dream about! My heart is bursting with ballet love!
And talking about dreamy! Just look at what happened in Britain at the Royal Opera House. In May 1994, we had the debut of Sylvie Guillem as Giselle. Well, imagine this. We are in the glorious Royal Opera House, Giselle, with its tragic but beautiful story. Sylvie was a phenomenal dancer, her movements graceful and elegant, you just had to see her. Oh, those beautiful pirouettes she could spin, truly something to behold. To see Sylvie grace that stage, a true ballerina, oh my darling!
But that’s not all
We also saw some wonderful, bold* and experimental work from the wonderful *Royal Ballet, and the always fabulous Scottish Ballet. The world of ballet was buzzing with life, all thanks to the amazing artists who performed! There is always something special about those London stages - the energy, the atmosphere. I could spend hours ballet-gazing here, watching the show and learning from some of the *finest* in the business. And I can just imagine how those audiences were in rapturous applause as the dancers took their bows, all aglow under those spotlights! A magical ballet moment!
I had to see it, had to go back and have a dance myself, and even put on a few steps at that grand theatre of the Royal Ballet. Did I look amazing, you ask? I just know I looked divine!
After the theatre I’ll have to grab a nice cuppa tea from one of the cosy local cafes and just admire the people in those colourful fashion ensembles from this era - how unique they are! You know, I was just thinking, dear reader, that maybe, just maybe, we should consider bringing the fashion of this decade back! What do you say, shall we rock those little pouffy mini tutus again?
Speaking of rock, what would a time travel adventure be without a good ballet performance? Now, the biggest stage, the biggest dance… I’m talking about *‘Hot To Trot'. A ballet celebrating music – can you even imagine what an amazing experience it would be to watch this with the rest of the audience, in this world-famous city of dreams and fantasy? My God those costumes must be absolutely fantastic, and to hear the energy in that auditorium, all thanks to the fantastic artists from the New York City Ballet … I have to confess it makes me want to go immediately!
So that's a quick peek into the exciting world of ballet in 1994, with just a touch of London chic, all delivered with the sweetness of that English spring air! As usual, I'm stuffing my bag with beautiful ballet memories from 1994! You know, just in case!
I hope you've enjoyed this pink-tutu journey with me today, and remember: life is meant to be danced!
And before you go, my dears, remember what we say here at Pink-Tutu… don't be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina!
Until next time,
Emma xx
