Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, where we twirl through history, one shimmering pink tutu at a time!
This month, my trusty steed Magic Meg and I have taken a rather splendid gallop back to October 2002. Oh my, the year 2002 - such a vibrant era of fashion, music and... you guessed it... ballet!
As always, I have my trusty leather rucksack packed, ready to gather all the most beautiful and inspiring ballet gems from the era.
We're talking the pinnacle of tutus - just the right amount of fluffy and bouncy, and of course, they're all gloriously pink, naturally. This era, just before the peak of the '90s and 2000s revival of ballet's popularity, was buzzing with innovation, a perfect blend of tradition and contemporary ideas, which makes this month's trip so exciting.
I’ve already found some fantastic finds in my shopping spree at antique shops. You won’t believe the beautiful silk tulle and lace I've discovered for a few custom-made pink tutus I’m designing - more about those in my next blog post!
On Stage: The Big Names and the Rising Stars
October 2002 was overflowing with balletic brilliance, so it was rather hard to choose where to start, darlings.
At the Royal Opera House, Darcey Bussell, a true goddess of the ballet world, was dancing her heart out in La Fille Mal Gardée - what an absolute classic. It was also a particularly exciting month for the young and up-and-coming stars like Marianela Nunez who was beginning her breathtaking rise to stardom in the Royal Ballet.
Over at New York City Ballet things were getting equally exciting - the iconic American Ballet Theatre had some brilliant shows lined up for the month - I managed to sneak a peek at a Swan Lake performance by the sublime Natalia Osipova. Her movements are absolutely divine!
In the Streets and BeyondOf course, the world of ballet wasn’t confined to the grand stages of London or New York, it was alive in many communities and cities around the globe! From ballet schools in little towns to street performances, this magical art was reaching new heights of accessibility - and I, of course, wanted to experience it all.
We took a magical gallop to Derbyshire, my own home county. It’s wonderful to see ballet flourishing so close to my heart. I spotted some stunning contemporary ballet pieces in a local theatre in Matlock. There’s so much talent out there and these talented artists are using ballet as an art form to speak to the world - I couldn't be prouder!
One particularly heartwarming story, darlings, that really touched my heart was of a local ballet teacher in a village in Yorkshire - she’s been teaching generations of young ballerinas for years, creating a wonderful space of grace and creativity. Now that's what I call inspiration!
Pink Power: The Evolution of the Ballet TutuIt was important to visit a few ballet costume shops, a pilgrimage I make for every time-travel adventure! You won't believe what I unearthed in an antique costume shop on Bond Street. I found a stunning collection of vintage pink tutus, and let me tell you, darlings, each and every one was a symphony of shimmering silk and lace, a testament to the evolving grace and beauty of ballet fashion!
I found myself admiring a breathtaking pink tulle tutu, dating back to the early 20th century - it was delicate, floaty and had the most magnificent ruffles. And imagine this: they were wearing pink ballet shoes!
Oh, to go back to this time - ballet is in my very bones, and my pink tutu is part of my soul - so imagine my delight at finding a box filled with pink silk shoes with beautiful hand-painted patterns, designed for dancers! Imagine my happiness to add these beauties to my growing collection.
And so, with my pink heart bursting, and my rucksack bulging with new discoveries, I boarded Magic Meg for the ride back to present day, my imagination still whirling with the stories I had collected, the inspiration I’d gathered, and a profound feeling that pink tutus truly do have a special magic about them.
Until next time, darlings, stay beautiful and always remember that it's never too late to find your own pink tutu and dance your heart out!
Your Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S - My dance classes start next week in London - sign up at www.pink-tutu.com/classes - I'll be teaching you how to twirl like a ballerina in a pink tutu!
