Hello my darlings! Emma here, and you know how much I love my time travels, and wouldn't you know it, April 2012 has been just as jam-packed as my dressing table full of pretty pink lip gloss! You see, on this very date, way back in 1912, ballet was having quite the moment, and wouldn't you just know it, so was I!
We had just ridden through a London haze on Magic Meg - my shire horse is quite the sight in his pink sparkle, truly, he’s a fairytale! I love seeing the astonished faces when we go trotting through the streets, a sight to behold, especially my pink tutu which seems to have an extra shimmer and bounce to it when Meg's hooves are drumming a rhythmic beat against the cobblestones.
As always, I packed my trusty leather rucksack to the brim for this little historical jaunt. Imagine! So much history to absorb - my notebook was just waiting to be filled with juicy tidbits! Did you know that, way back then, there was this big hoo-ha in the world of ballet? Apparently, there was this Russian choreographer named Michel Fokine, the absolute darling of the day, he was quite the trendsetter! And just imagine - his vision was all about bringing dramatic stories and characters to the stage.
I was dying to see a show so we galloped straight down to Covent Garden. It's an absolutely charming little theatre, full of atmosphere! Now, my lovelies, you should see the costumes in those days! Not a trace of the modern pink tutu I wear with such pride. Oh, these dresses! Full of layers, lace, and swirling fabric! I practically died and went to heaven when I spied the ballerinas dancing - it was a total spectacle of glamour. My favourite part was when this ballet, Le Spectre de la Rose, came to life! Imagine, it was like watching the most gorgeous dream in pink and white.
Oh, and the story of this ballet? It was all about the ethereal elegance of the rose that visited a ballerina in her dreams! I must admit, the whole dream theme just tugged at my heartstrings. Honestly, it got me dreaming about my next visit! I scribbled away in my notebook as fast as I could! Every single detail! This era's style is just bursting with creativity and those dance shoes... oh my dear ones, what delicate masterpieces! My little heart skipped a beat!
But that wasn't the only treat. Now, imagine this - I also discovered this wonderful French ballet company called "Les Ballets Russes"! Can you believe? This was such an amazing troupe! This troupe was shaking things up! Apparently, it even caused a stir because it broke free from the traditional Parisian rules, daring to have its own unique voice and innovative dances. The audacity of it all!
My imagination ran wild as I listened to the buzz around this ballet company - how could I not bring these beautiful styles back to our modern time? Imagine a Parisian Parisian ballet class taught with this type of rebellious heart. This visit gave me inspiration and ideas galore, it had everything I love - history, drama, elegance! The dance moves were incredibly fast-paced, and you wouldn't believe the energy. A touch of this daring Parisian spark and some of the story-telling choreography from those times just begs to be introduced back into our world! And that's just what I plan to do when I return!
Now, who could possibly resist such fabulous inspiration? Why, this whole 1912 time travel took my fancy so much, it had me shopping and buying beautiful materials the next day to create some tutus, inspired by these historical styles, but, of course, infused with my own Pink Tutu signature. They are already ready for my next performance - we are going to get everyone in the audience rocking those beautiful pinks, whites, and creams! I must admit, a bit of shimmering glitter is never unwelcome in any dancer’s life, so that too, shall be included. It will be a show you won’t want to miss, and let's just say that "pink is the new black," this I know.
Of course, my visit was not all about ballet. London is a charming city, you know, and a girl has to do a little bit of shopping! I popped into the first fashionable emporium I found and bought myself a pretty, pastel-pink, feather-trimmed hat - it was perfect for a delightful stroll through the squares. Now, isn’t that what every ballet enthusiast dreams of? A stroll down the streets of a world gone by with a matching hat and shoes - every pink imaginable and all very chic.
As always, Magic Meg whisked us back home safe and sound, a magical journey filled with stories and new ideas to inspire our future adventures in ballet. So, as I settle down for a good night’s sleep with dreams of pink feathers, pink tutus, and sparkling hooves, I urge you, my lovely ballet friends, to keep the pink alive. Don't be afraid to be yourself, don't be afraid to explore, and don't be afraid to embrace the joy of ballet, just like a pink tutu wrapped in its glory, with a heart full of glitter. I'm off to explore another dimension, perhaps some more pink delights await. But until next month, keep twirling and dreaming, darlings!
Love, Emma xxx
P.S. Stay tuned next month for the story of the next leg of our magical adventures.
