Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another scintillating instalment of our journey through the captivating world of ballet history. This month, Magic Meg and I have trotted off to June 2034, a time of shimmering elegance and soaring grace, where the world of ballet was positively buzzing.
It's been an absolutely bonkers month, darling! This year's Royal Opera House gala had a breathtaking "Sleeping Beauty" rendition, so dazzling, it practically blinded me with its sheer beauty. It was a visual feast – the costumes, the sets, it was like stepping into a fairytale! We found a little shop by Covent Garden selling beautiful old tutus, and Magic Meg, being the darling she is, bought me one with the most intricate embroidery I’ve ever seen! You wouldn’t believe it, the sheer craftsmanship of these old designs – such intricate pleats and embellishments, and those shoes! Absolute stunners! It’s practically an art form in itself, this whole fashion side of ballet.
The great thing about June 2034 is that ballet had truly gone mainstream, even down in our lovely Derbyshire. The ballet schools were full, bursting with talented youngsters, each with their little pink tutus. It was absolutely heart-warming, seeing all those eager little ballerinas dancing their hearts out. We visited the prestigious Darby Dance Academy - the very first place I started taking ballet lessons as a little girl! Such fond memories… I found some incredible costumes tucked away in the attic - remnants of past recitals, with feathers and rhinestones galore, which are now carefully tucked into my rucksack.
June 2034 also witnessed the grand opening of the National Dance Archives in London, an exciting addition to the ballet world. It’s absolutely fabulous that we’re finally preserving all these historical treasures - the diaries of dancers, the original choreographic scripts, the sketches, the costumes… a trove of information for ballet historians like me, and the future of the dance! It's so exciting to think all the fascinating insights these archives will offer to budding ballerinas and historians for generations to come.
One of the things I find fascinating is how the world of ballet is constantly evolving. This month, I’ve been getting into street performances. In June 2034, some truly fabulous choreographers took ballet out of the theatre and into the city streets! The choreography I saw was absolutely mesmerising – combining ballet, contemporary dance and even street dance into some truly inspiring pieces. It really proves that ballet can thrive anywhere, adapting and evolving with the times!
My dear Magic Meg is in her element here, galloping through the bustling streets, pulling our bright pink, flower-decked carriage - everyone seems to smile as we go by. And, you know, we’re catching some lovely ideas! One street dancer even incorporated a twirling tutu into his performance! I love the creativity – and it truly is inspiring! Who knows, maybe one day I’ll combine ballet and street dance myself… What a fantastic way to get even more people loving tutus, wouldn’t you say?
It’s not just street performances though. I caught a truly remarkable "Swan Lake" production, in which a top ballerina performed the swan-themed variation using her wheelchair. This groundbreaking act is just another testament to the beauty and resilience of ballet. We really must remember the dedication, passion and commitment of these dancers, performing in such diverse and impactful ways!
Now, darling, you know I simply adore fashion, so let’s get to the part that really gets me twirling - June 2034's fashion scene was absolutely bursting with dazzling colours and daring designs! Imagine tutus in every imaginable hue! From fiery reds to cool blues and oh, my favourite - a gorgeous shade of lavender! They were being adorned with crystallised sequins and exquisite beading, even the dance shoes had a splash of colour! Oh, it truly was a dream come true! My rucksack is bursting at the seams!
You simply must take a look at all the beautiful ballet-inspired clothing. Those ballet-themed bags were incredible! So chic and whimsical! Imagine, carrying around a little ballerina doll on a bag! The beauty is simply breath-taking. It seems like even the world of haute couture couldn’t resist a bit of ballerina charm! You can imagine me, dancing through the shops, buying up all the lovely trinkets – everything in the shops had a ballet theme! The dresses, oh darling, just a little glimpse of sheerness at the bottom and voila – instant elegance! So feminine! It seems everyone wanted to have a bit of the grace and beauty of the ballet in their lives, darling!
Another amazing fashion trend is ‘balletcore’ fashion. Imagine - ballet-inspired clothes being embraced by a generation so effortlessly chic! It’s amazing! Imagine pairing those lovely flowing chiffon skirts with a crisp white t-shirt - pure class, darling! There is simply something magical about seeing all the girls strutting around in their own ballerina looks. So fabulous! Even those little tots are rocking ballet shoes with jeans - a delightful sight! Who knew a little tutu and some ballet shoes could have so much power?
I’ll leave you with this thought, darling. The time may have changed, the styles have morphed and morphed but the one constant thing, the enduring heart of it all - remains the same. And that is - a passion for dance! The dedication of the dancers, their beauty, their commitment to perfecting the art - it remains absolutely heart-warming, just as it has for hundreds of years.
Join me next month as we visit another time, full of dancing, fabulous fashion, and who knows what treasures we’ll uncover for your darling pink tutu! Remember - a tutu is not just an item of clothing, darling. It's a symbol of a love for ballet, a symbol of passion, a symbol of our feminine side.
I am so pleased that more and more people around the world are catching the tutu bug and rocking their own styles! We can achieve so much together! It truly is the era of the pink tutu! Love you all, and until next month!
Emma xx
