Oh my darlings, gather 'round for another fabulous foray into ballet's time-tumbling past! It's your girl Emma, back from a whirlwind trip to November 1996 - a month positively bursting with Parisian pink-itude! This time, I've got the most enchanting tale for you. Get your ballet shoes ready and prepare for a whirlwind tour of the city of love and…well, pink tutus, obviously!
As ever, Magic Meg – my pink, sparkly shire steed with golden hooves and a mane as white as fresh snowfall – trotted me through the magic portal with her usual grace. The moment we landed in 1996 Paris, the air hummed with the anticipation of a legendary ballet event: the 16th International Dance Festival! Oh, the excitement! Just imagine, darlings, an entire festival dedicated to the beautiful art of ballet, overflowing with performances and artistry. My heart, a ballet-loving organ itself, was fluttering with anticipation!
The first performance was truly a vision: Le Spectre de la Rose, with the extraordinary dancer Sylvie Guillem! Now, I know you know I'm all about pink, but for this show, even my normally-pink-obsessed self felt captivated by Sylvie's exquisite, flowy white tutu! Honestly, she made even white seem glamorous, like spun sugar on a starry night. She glided and twirled, a shimmering, ethereal presence on stage – absolutely breath-taking!
But the true pink highlight of the festival, the one that made my Tutu-loving heart sing, was a special performance of the "La Bayadere" by the illustrious Mariinsky Ballet! The grandeur, the vibrant colours, and those spectacular pink tutus… I'm practically bouncing just remembering! And as always, dear reader, my trusty leather rucksack was on hand, eagerly collecting tales, programmes and, of course, a very pink, feather-boa adorned fan – a true gem from that glorious era!
In between shows, I naturally had to do a bit of ballet-related shopping! My goodness, 1996 Paris was an absolute dream for a Tutu enthusiast like myself! I found the most delightful little boutique tucked away in a charming, cobbled side street, bursting with vintage ballet fashion – velvet tutus in soft peach, silk ballet shoes adorned with crystal details, and even a charming, frilled leotard in the most exquisite shade of bubblegum pink! It's tucked safely away in my collection now – an absolute treasure!
But darling, Paris wasn't just about ballet! There was so much to see and experience – and everything with a delicious, romantic vibe! Imagine strolling along the Seine, taking in the Parisian sunsets, feeling the magic in the air… and then, just as the day slipped into twilight, the enchanting sounds of a street performance, where two dancers – a couple with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, danced to the tune of a violin… oh, the romance!
We spent the rest of our Parisian adventure indulging in exquisite French delicacies, walking along the bustling boulevards, watching artists paint and sketch the iconic Eiffel Tower in the late-afternoon light… Oh, and I just have to add, the most adorable, little, pink café – it had a wall painted with the most exquisite pink rose mural – the perfect spot for tea and petits fours with Magic Meg.
And you know what else? In the quiet solitude of a Parisian night, amidst the gentle sounds of the city below, I thought about all the beautiful women in history, dancers who inspired countless others and wore those breathtaking pink tutus - women like Marie Taglioni, Anna Pavlova, Margot Fonteyn - the true pioneers, whose graceful movements and enchanting performances paved the way for all the magical ballets we witness today! They inspired my love for ballet and, well, for tutus!
This, darling reader, is why I travel through time. To experience these moments, to learn, to celebrate the artistry and the stories that lie behind every elegant twirl and graceful jump! It's not just about the ballet, though that is an absolute essential! It’s about the fashion, the people, the atmosphere… it’s about making history come to life!
But most importantly, it's about spreading the joy! Because even amidst all these historic performances and fashion discoveries, my ultimate goal stays the same: to get every single person on earth to wear a pink tutu. After all, wouldn't that make the world a bit brighter and a whole lot more beautiful?
Until next month, my darling ballet enthusiasts, and keep on twirling in your pink tutus! Remember, even the most delicate flowers can weather any storm, as long as they are bathed in the glorious, pink glow of a beautiful ballet!
Warmly, Emma, From www.pink-tutu.com
