Oh darling! The blush pink of my new tutu is absolutely divine, donāt you think? I mean, you simply have to have a little pink in your life, especially if youāre a ballet enthusiast like me! Itās positively luminous, and just calls out for a dance on the stage, donāt you agree?
This month, however, Magic Meg and I decided to gallop back in time to 1910. I always adore going back and seeing the history of the art form, so I was particularly thrilled when my trusty pink horse carried us all the way back to London's prestigious Royal Opera House.
Now, 1910 was a most splendid time for ballet, a truly enchanting era! Itās fascinating to see how ballet was just starting to bloom and find its place in the world. We have the Ballets Russes to thank for this magnificent shift in ballet's trajectory, and let me tell you, it's like watching a captivating blossoming of an exquisite rose. It's not just about the choreography; the entire theatrical experience is captivating, with its beautiful, theatrical sets, the vibrant colours of the costumes, and oh, those lavish feather boas!
My leather rucksack filled up like a sweetie jar during this trip! I grabbed the most wonderful programmes, snippets of forgotten gossip about dancers, and a vintage poster for āScheherazadeā starring Vaslav Nijinsky that was almost worth getting into a little scuffle over!
Right, darling, so let me spill the tea:
Firstly, we can't possibly forget Anna Pavlova, darling. She is simply a divine presence, and to be honest, a bit of a trendsetter with her gorgeous flowing dresses! I particularly adored seeing her as a graceful, ethereal Swan Queen, just a tiny bit shy but so full of feminine charm, almost delicate yet totally in control of her movements. Itās the perfect image of what a ballerina should be: ethereal yet powerful, elegant yet playful. It was a performance that sent shivers down my spine and made me want to twirl the night away!
Next on the list: The Ballets Russes! I must confess, I was already quite familiar with their captivating spectacle from the historical bits I've read, but experiencing their actual production? Pure magic! Their staging was sensational and their costumesā¦simply gorgeous! Like explosions of colour and fabric, making everything just so visually exciting. The artistry and talent just seemed to shine through in every production they performed. And honestly, seeing dancers like Tamara Karsavina and Nijinsky really left me in awe. Nijinsky especially - he had the most astounding athleticism and artistic intensity! Honestly, seeing him jump across the stage in those vibrant costumesā¦well, darling, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Iāve been dying to tell everyone all about him, as if they have to see it!
The costumes were certainly an inspiration for this post, my dears! Those flamboyant creations - velvet and jewels galore, feathered headbandsā¦ darling, just picture the artistry! Some of the patterns and styles felt just a tad too much, maybe a little over-the-top, for my taste. Don't get me wrong, darling! I adore fashion - particularly when it's extravagant. But sometimes, you just need a little classic chic, especially when it's just a single layer of shimmering silk under those dramatic feathered accessories.
In terms of shopping, darling, it wasn't a time for the minimalist chic or the minimalist look that's all the rage now! There was an undeniable glamour in the fashions then, I must confess, and a certain joie de vivre that simply wouldnāt be complete without at least a little touch of blush pink - think frocks of exquisite silks and velvets, delicate lace collars, and delicate lace gloves. It was all so femme fatale, you just wanted to slip on one of those gorgeous gowns, right? I could just imagine wearing it to one of the most dazzling social gatherings in town. It felt like they had it all: exquisite costumes, sensational sets, stunning dancers, and captivating choreographiesā¦
You can find me at www.pink-tutu.com. Itās been a fabulous journey this month, darlings! Come join me on a ballet escapade next time as we journey back through time, to explore and admire the rich tapestry of dance history! Do make sure you keep those pink tutus close to you, because itās a statement that goes beyond style ā itās about joy, expression, and, above all, the sheer magic of dancing! And don't forget to spread that pink cheer! I can't wait to see what wonderful world of dance awaits us next. Until then, Happy Dancing, darlings!
Love, Emma
P.S. You can fund our future time travels by sponsoring our dance shows - any amount will help make more historical dance adventures possible! Join us, wonāt you?
