Hello my darling ballet lovers, and welcome back to another enchanting adventure in Pink-Tutu land! It's December 1994, and the festive cheer is certainly in the air, even for this travelling ballerina! Just like every month, I’m here to share the wonderful world of ballet through the magical lens of time travel. Buckle up, darling, as we take a twirling trip back to a time when ballet was bursting with brilliance and bold creations.
I'm perched on my favourite pink sparkling steed, Magic Meg, all ready to gallop through history with a flurry of pink tulle in our wake. You know how much I love pink, right? And tutus? Oh, those tutus are just a symphony of swirling delight. I've even started my own “Pink Tutu Tuesday” challenge on my website, where you can all join in and wear your own pink tutu, and maybe even post a picture! It’s a fabulous way to celebrate ballet in our daily lives.
Today, our December dance-through-time will whisk us back to December 1994. This is where my magic satchel will really earn its keep! Packed full of tulle and ballet notes, it's brimming with treasures, memories and moments from ballet's captivating past.
Before we hop onto Magic Meg, I must tell you about this incredible vintage ballet bag I found at a vintage shop in Buxton, Derbyshire. It’s the most darling velvet pouch in a delicate pink shade – it has tiny silver beads and little, swirling roses, and is simply perfect for carrying my most precious finds on my time travels! And wouldn't you know, it was meant to be – today we’re travelling to the very era where the style is all the rage!
Dancing into December 1994 – The Stars Align!
Ah, December 1994! Imagine, the world was celebrating the birth of a new century, and the ballet world was aglow with dazzling new creations. Now, to help paint you a picture, my lovelies, imagine – it’s a chilly winter night, a blanket of fresh snow falls across the cobbled streets, and inside the Royal Opera House in London, the air crackles with anticipation. Tonight, the Royal Ballet are showcasing their enchanting production of "The Sleeping Beauty". It's the ultimate fairy tale – twirling princesses, heroic princes, and magical creatures in a captivating waltz of dreams.
Don’t be afraid to twirl into those wonderful costume stories that give us all those fairytale feels! My favourite memory of this night was a magical memory from my magical satchel – I found a tiny ballet ticket stub tucked away, and it seemed to be saying: "I was there! And oh what a magical night it was." Even as I touch it, I feel the joy, and the music comes rushing back!
Across the world, in another dazzling world of ballet, it was a grand premiere night for the Nederlands Dans Theater. The Dutch company, famous for its cutting-edge choreography, brought “Solo" by Paul Lightfoot and Sol León to the stage in a vibrant explosion of contemporary artistry! They were pioneers of modern dance. You’ve just got to imagine it, darling. The theatre must have been electric. Can’t you see, just picture those swirling bodies – it’s quite mesmerising – with sharp, fast-paced, energetic dance moves, truly contemporary with an almost rock and roll attitude! They certainly weren’t just wearing pretty ballet shoes.
Keeping it Stylish - Tutu Talk
December 1994? My lovelies, think, oh think, big, long-flowing hair – and a swirling tutu in all its glory! We’re definitely in a more romantic time, but still keeping it modern with ballet fashion. It’s time to get your tutu on! Let’s take a peak into my satchel – I’ve found some really exciting magazine clippings, from December 1994, where fashion, and beauty were a huge thing! Remember how the magazines loved the fashionista ballet world – they showed everything. Ballet looks - not just for dancers – with elegant silhouettes and all sorts of chic, colourful fabrics – the world was in love with tutu fashion!
One of my favourites that really caught my eye, my lovelies, had an article about “The Dance of Tulle” – which I found rather witty – and focused on this one exquisite designer in New York called Monique Lhuillier who used, hold on tight darling, tulle in her beautiful eveningwear! Tulle? Oh my darling – think soft and floaty - and imagine, the world fell in love with it again – a little vintage but definitely chic for this time in history! That year, even the most respected designer in fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana went wild for those vintage-style “floaty looks”, complete with those amazing sheer, shimmering, luxurious tulle designs! What an incredible era to be part of – those long dresses – swirling like dreams – it was fabulous!
This has given me some fantastic inspiration, my lovelies. I'm already dreaming up new ways to include tulle and swirling fabrics in my performance costume for the next time I’m taking Magic Meg on another ballet adventure! It’s all part of the thrill of my ballet time travels, finding a link with history in such an elegant, modern, fashionable, but classic way, right? Think about how tulle – a little bit vintage, a little bit glam and just perfectly pink - could add the perfect touch to your own ballet wear, darling!
Remembering the Past - A Celebration of the Ballet World
December 1994, you are such a magical month for my ballet travels! To keep those memories alive – my lovely bag is almost overflowing, filled with notes and even some photos, - because just think, 1994 was such a momentous time for the ballet world, just so many great stories to tell.
The world was enthralled with “The Red Shoes,” *a classic film about ballet, directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in 1948. There’s just such a sense of glamour about this movie - an enchanting blend of the beauty of ballet and the perils of obsession! It had recently been given a fantastic restoration and had its London premiere! It felt as if everyone was rediscovering its charm, like a long-lost masterpiece found anew. This lovely story of dance has everything – ambition, talent and love! Just another reason, why the 90s really were such a golden age for ballet. And I can’t leave out one of my all-time favourite ballet memories, in this incredible month – It was time to meet *the "enfant terrible" of ballet – choreographer, Jiří Kylián – such an amazing dance artist, the man was pure talent. And oh my goodness, he took his place on the prestigious dance company's board – Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam – wowzers. Talk about a fantastic fusion of creativity and vision. He’s truly a visionary! You see, it's that magic I get to carry through the eras.
And darling, in the world of ballet today, just imagine how the world has embraced his work and it just shows, that’s just a bit of history you are all enjoying today. Just goes to show you the timeless nature of this beautiful art! Just as it should be, my lovelies! Because with a graceful flick of the leg or the twirl of a tutu, ballet transcends time, reminding us that the world, especially in 1994 - a very ballet-obsessed world – truly did love it!
As we round off December 1994, my lovelies, you might be thinking, it’s time for my next time travel adventure. I certainly hope you enjoyed travelling back through time with me! Remember those lovely pink memories we made together in December 1994!
Before we go – I love a good competition – so to celebrate this incredible ballet month, I'm starting a little game for you! Here's your challenge – I’d love it if you all told me, what’s your “favourite December ballet memory?” Maybe you saw a gorgeous performance? Or maybe you dressed up for a ballet party, darling! Share your favourite memory in the comments below!
I’ve got so many plans in store for my pink-tutu website, darling. You just got to come and see. Maybe you will have seen a ballet show or a street performance and have a story for us, or even have tried out “Pink Tutu Tuesday.” Let me know about it!
Time to make tracks to our next ballet adventure with my faithful friend, Magic Meg – she’s a pink sparkly, gleaming, sparkling Shire, darling – and we can’t leave her waiting – she’s got tutus of her own to swish. Let’s do ballet!
Until next time my ballet lovers, always wear your tutu with confidence, keep swirling, and be sure to watch all the amazing dance productions you can find!
Sending lots of ballerina kisses to you all!
Yours in Ballet,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
