#BalletHistory during 2001 07

Hello my lovely dancers! It’s your favourite time traveller, Emma, back with another dazzling tale from the captivating world of ballet!

Today’s journey whisks us right back to the delightful summer of 2001, where the world of ballet was shimmering with energy and a whole lot of pink, of course! I have a sneaking suspicion that the ballet world in the early 2000s was truly entranced by pink, so today's blog is dedicated to exploring its whimsical charms.

Oh, and before I forget! Let's not forget my trusty companion - the majestic Meg, my sparkling pink Shire horse, who gleams with iridescent gold hooves and a cascade of white mane and tail. She certainly makes a grand entrance at every ballet show and performance we attend, much to the delight of those fortunate enough to witness her charm.

This month's travels have landed us back in the charming county of Derbyshire, where I'm always thrilled to be home, but alas, my travels take me to some extraordinary places! With the shimmering backdrop of a bright, pink dawn, I find myself at the esteemed Royal Ballet School. The early 2000s was a thrilling time in the ballet world, brimming with energy, passion and a delightful flourish of fashion! As I donned my most glamorous, frilly, pink tutu (a perfectly delightful floral print this month!), Meg and I ventured inside the majestic building, taking in all the artistic energy of this esteemed establishment.

2001 was an utterly fabulous time for ballet. Every month brought new and exciting pieces. Let’s peek back and relive those vibrant performances together, shall we?

• In London, the Royal Ballet was truly dazzling audiences with their new productions. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", premiered on the 7th of March, captivated all ages with its charming blend of storytelling and ballet magic.
• In New York, the New York City Ballet mesmerized crowds with their extraordinary performances of "The Four Temperaments", and a spectacularly lively "Romeo & Juliet".
• The Bolshoi Ballet, based in Moscow, thrilled audiences with their breathtaking, iconic performance of "Swan Lake" in May.
• The month of June saw the Royal Danish Ballet enthral with their majestic performance of "The Nutcracker", captivating the audiences with their beauty and precision.

All in all, the early 2000s seemed to be an unforgettable time in the history of ballet, as these dance companies continued to raise the bar with exciting, captivating productions. The love for ballet was undeniable, and audiences worldwide were enraptured by the enchanting power of this art form.

In this month's edition of "What Emma Wears", I am going all out in pink, darling! I love everything pink and nothing gets me in the mood for ballet more than a pretty pink tutu! A light and airy pink, the perfect colour to express all the graceful and delicate movements we do on the stage. I know what you’re thinking, darling – can it really get more pink? Oh, yes, darling!

While at the Royal Ballet School, I spent the morning exploring their fascinating archives, sifting through countless photos and costume designs. Their fashion was full of vibrant colours and flowing silhouettes, which perfectly echoed the energy and creativity of this glorious era! But the most wonderful aspect? A real obsession with the colour pink, especially for the ballet costumes! I’m talking bright, bubblegum pink, with some charming details and embellishments to make these pieces truly irresistible. It’s no wonder, pink perfectly embodies the lightness and grace of ballet.

After all, we dancers do love to dress the part, don’t we? And to match my charmingly pink tutu, I was wearing a delicate pink satin ribbon adorning my bun. Don't forget a smattering of rhinestones for some dazzling glamour, because who can resist a touch of sparkle? It goes without saying that every ballerina knows a glamorous hairstyle adds a special something, so I'm adding this to my repertoire as I explore my favourite era, which, I may add, I believe is full of glamorous and colourful ballet fashions.

In fact, I'm on the lookout for the perfect vintage ballet outfit for a particularly dazzling, and most certainly pink, dance performance. After all, my life mission is to inspire the entire world to wear pink tutus! Who knows, perhaps this fabulous pink look will become a classic, just like some of the magnificent costumes I found while wandering through the history books at the Royal Ballet School archives!

After hours of browsing through the delightful history books and photographs, I filled my trusty, worn leather rucksack with an array of 2001 ballet delights! And of course, nothing goes in my ballet rucksack that’s not completely fabulous – just the finest, most unique, treasures! Here’s what I brought home to the wonderful world of Pink Tutu from this extraordinary time:

• A vintage ballet program featuring the beautiful ballerina, Sylvie Guillem, dancing with the Royal Ballet. I love seeing Sylvie in her pink leotards, perfectly exemplifying ballet’s enduring love affair with pink.
• A small box of glittery pink tights! I always appreciate a good set of shimmering tights! I'm hoping they will transport me back to those wonderful days of pinky-tutu fashion!
• A beautifully illustrated book about "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland", showcasing all of the glorious stage designs and choreography from this amazing ballet production!
• A collection of miniature posters featuring various international ballet performances! How wonderful to share with everyone my favourite discoveries of this fabulous, fun-filled time.

And as my horse, the graceful Meg, gently pulled our carriage towards my cozy Derbyshire cottage, I reflected on how wonderfully intertwined fashion and ballet are. There is no more delightful a dance form that so cleverly embraces fashion’s magic – especially the pink and sparkling varieties!

So, dear readers, the wonderful ballet history of the early 2000s awaits. This era is overflowing with delightful performances, iconic ballerinas, captivating music, and captivating costume design. Let’s revel in this wonderful moment, and don’t forget, pink tutus are truly timeless and are the most fabulous attire a ballet dancer can wear. Now off you go, find the most enchanting pink tutu you can, darling, and get ready to dance the world!

Until next month, keep your toes light, and keep on dancing, darling!

Love always, Emma, the Time Traveling Ballerina

(www.pink-tutu.com)