Hello, lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another magical adventure for you! It's a beautiful February day in Derbyshire, and even though the snow is falling, my heart is warm with the excitement of a new ballet adventure! This month, I'm travelling to 1921, which is simply bursting with ballet magic. Itās the 1st of February andā¦ It's time to hop on Magic Meg, my dazzling pink Shire horse, for an unforgettable trip into the past. Get ready to shimmy with us as we dive into a glamorous world of grand ballerinas, lavish costumes andā¦ well, a touch of royal scandal! š
#4322: Ballet through the Looking Glass
It feels like just yesterday that we were waltzing through 1912, remember the spectacular Russian Ballet season in London? This time, though, our journey is leading us across the pond ā all the way to America! Iām particularly excited because, in 1921, America was becoming a huge force in the ballet world. Think glamorous Broadway shows, a booming ballet scene in New York, and the arrival of renowned choreographers who brought an explosion of innovation to the stage! It's almost enough to make me want to trade my Derbyshire rolling hills for the shimmering lights of the city, if only for a moment!
Before I can tell you all about our time-travelling escapades, let me remind you that every magical adventure requires a truly fabulous outfit. For this trip, I'm donning a shimmering pink tulle tutu with delicate lace edging. The soft pastel shades and feminine flounces perfectly capture the grace of the period ā think vintage Hollywood glamour with a touch of modern sparkle! You've simply got to see my new tiara! It has tiny pink and silver pearls arranged in delicate rose motifs - just the thing for a trip to a dazzling theatre performance.
Magic Meg: A Pink Princess with Golden Hooves
Oh, and how could I forget my trusty travel companion, Magic Meg? Sheās been prancing around the stables in her best pink glitter harness. It's a gorgeous colour combination that draws in all sorts of attention - much like myself when I wear my tutus! š The snowy weather was a tad tricky for her, so weāve even spruced her up with some shimmery waterproof boots for the journey. Letās just say the magicās certainly flowing through her, even if the icy air makes the little mareās hooves a little extra sparkly.
On the Trail of the Ballet Jewels: The Story of The Jewels
Our first stop isā¦ a rather scandalous one! In 1921, the ballet world was in a stir over a rather notorious theft - the disappearance of the Jewels necklace. The beautiful piece was crafted with over 15,000 pearls and 600 carats of diamonds - a true masterpiece! Apparently, the world famous dancer, Anna Pavlova was on stage in London that evening and lost the piece whilst she danced in front of the world. They say the Necklace is cursedā¦but what I do know is that it went missing under extremely mysterious circumstances. Weāre going to find it ā or, at least, I'm going to hunt down all the whispers about the jewel in my beautiful pink leather rucksack!
The World of Ballet in 1921: Diamonds, Drama andā¦Debuts?
1921 was an era of opulent costume design. Think feathers, sequins, and even more luxurious tulle, perfect for a ballet performance! I am especially eager to track down some new fabric choices ā there's nothing quite like sourcing new material from the past. Imagine finding a rare and delicate lace pattern that only the highest-class seamstresses would have seen ā It would be amazing to see that translated to one of my modern designs!
Our Next Destination: New York, New York!
But before we embark on a vintage fashion spree, letās have a quick peek into what else the ballet world was bustling about in 1921.
1. Ballets Russes, the Second Act:
1921 marked another captivating chapter for the iconic Ballets Russes company. You can be sure weāll be making our way to New York to witness this extraordinary troupe of dancers, whose movements are said to be infused with a unique, untamed energy. We might even sneak a peek at one of the famous ballets, āSchĆ©hĆ©razade,ā by Michel Fokine - if only I can convince Meg to wear her glitter hoof-coverings and pretend to be a chariot for a few minutes. š
2. The āFirebirdā on the Big Screen:
Who else is excited for our upcoming trip to a screening of The Firebird by Stravinsky? It was premiered in New York as a ballet, but also as a new ballet-style film which has just been released - imagine seeing this vibrant masterpiece on screen alongside live performances! And imagine wearing a tutu for the screening! Can you tell I'm so very excited about the film? It is all a beautiful mixture of firebird ballet steps and movie magic. It is just pure inspiration.
3. The Rise of the Choreographers:
One of the key aspects that Iāll be looking out for are the pioneers of the contemporary dance scene who began to make their mark in this period. From George Balanchine's early masterpieces to the innovative styles of LĆ©onide Massine - 1921 was a fertile breeding ground for ballet innovations. You could almost call it the beginning of modern ballet as we know it today.
Shopping for Style: The Tutus of 1921
I can just picture the fabulous shops weāll be browsing through ā the vintage couture houses in the heart of New York, full of the very finest tulle and lace imaginable. Just imagining all those exquisitely designed ballet costumes is making me giddy with anticipation. And when I say āshoppingā , it means much more than buying outfits for myself ā my precious rucksack needs some seriously fabulous, historical ballet memorabilia ā and a lot more inspiration!
I'll make sure to bring you some inside looks into the ballet fashion trends we spot ā those short tutus that became so iconic and some of the beautiful embroidered patterns found on the ballerina skirts.
Balletās Brilliance:
Oh, the stories I'll share in my next post about our trip. I'm just about ready to hop on Magic Meg! Sheās all ready for her magical time travelling mission with me, snorting and champing at the bit to make this journey to the ballet wonderland of 1921.
See you there!
With love and twirls,
Emma
