#BalletHistory during 1999 11

Hello my lovely ballet bunnies! It’s Emma here, and I’m so thrilled to whisk you away on another journey through time, courtesy of my fabulous pink-sparkling Shire horse, Magic Meg, who can take us anywhere, anywhen. This month, we're stepping back to 1999, the year I first started wearing tutus outside of ballet class, you know? It's a date that still sparks memories of iconic shows, breathtaking performances, and dazzling fashion trends. Let's take a twirl, shall we?

1999 was an era when the world of ballet was bursting with exciting premieres and groundbreaking works. From the majestic halls of the Bolshoi to the charming theatres of Broadway, it was a whirlwind year.

I, myself, was on a solo tour through France. I caught the very last performance of “La Sylphide”, with the phenomenal Sylvie Guillem as the eponymous Sylphide. The French audience were in rapture! Her artistry was something else; she was like a delicate flower, flitting effortlessly across the stage, embodying both grace and power. I snuck in the back during a final curtain call and grabbed a single, perfect ballerina shoe, just the sort that they’d use for Sylphide. It’s on my shelf at home right now!

Across the channel, a new generation of ballet stars was rising. Remember when the New York City Ballet was absolutely electrifying in their production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream?” I was on the front row; they were a vibrant and modern troupe with such youthful exuberance, so inspiring. It truly showcased the beauty of classical ballet but with an edge – all those ethereal dreams taking flight on stage. My notebook for that show is filled with hand-drawn sketches of their outfits!

Did you know that 1999 was also the year of the first Royal Ballet production of "The Winter’s Tale,"? It was a grand theatrical event at the Royal Opera House. There’s just something magical about those old English theatrical venues, you know? The air feels thick with creativity and history. It’s the perfect backdrop for storytelling and emotions on stage, especially a ballet that embraces so much love, loss, and redemption, like this one. My satchel was overflowing with program notes, tickets, even an old, crumpled photograph of the entire troupe. Just brilliant!

Oh my goodness, the costumes were everything! 1999 was an explosion of color and design. I saw such a gorgeous “Swan Lake” production in Berlin with the “corps de ballet” in sparkling tutus; you couldn't take your eyes off their delicate steps. They shimmered like tiny diamonds on stage. That memory sparked my idea for a collection of tiny, sparkling sequins, and I sewed them onto a lovely ivory tulle tutu, complete with a ribbon, of course.

While in Berlin, I bumped into a group of fabulous ballet girls on the streets, their dancing shoes twinkling in the city lights! You just knew that they had just stepped out of a stage performance. We took selfies on the streets (with their permission of course) before they jetted off to the next show. Now, my photoshoots don’t always go to plan, but those were just gorgeous. You could just see that it was ballet that united us, no matter the language we spoke!

Now, let's talk pink tutus. Why pink tutus, you ask? Because they symbolize joy, femininity, and above all, freedom! They tell everyone around, "Look at me, I'm ready to dance, to create magic!" And guess what? 1999 was a year where women were celebrating freedom and taking charge.

There was this group of “street ballet” dancers in London that used tutus to break out of the ordinary ballet spaces. Imagine: dancing on the street, in the underground, wherever inspiration strikes! It was liberating, exhilarating, and made such a big statement, don’t you think? I loved their fearless, fun attitude! And they all wore a touch of pink! My “street ballet” backpack contains all the souvenirs, postcards, photos of this fun-loving London group I was able to take. My inspiration is still exploding when I look through it, every time.

In this time travel of ours, remember, every tutu, every ballet class, and every performance carries stories. So take your tutu out this weekend and spin a little. Maybe, when you see people's faces light up with smiles and their bodies start to sway with you, you’ll realize you have magic in you too, just like Magic Meg!

Oh, and of course, my darling, be sure to subscribe to my blog www.pink-tutu.com. I've got plenty of exciting adventures planned, from ballet class and show reviews to time travel tales that will leave you feeling inspired! Until next time!

All the love,

Emma xx