Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of whimsical adventures through ballet history! August is all about sparkle, sunshine, and – you guessed it! – pink tutus.
This month, my trusty steed, the fabulous Magic Meg, whisked me away to August 1838. Now, 1838 was a thrilling year for ballet! It's the year when the Grande Pas de Quatre first captivated the world! It was created by the legendary Jules Perrot, featuring four legendary ballerinas: Carlotta Grisi, Lucile Grahn, Fanny Cerrito, and Marie Taglioni – what a line-up! Imagine the gowns! The jewellery! The hairdos! My rucksack is bursting with vintage clippings and drawings of this legendary ballet, ready to be shared with you.
We galloped through London, past Buckingham Palace (Meg loves a good gallop, and I swear I saw a flash of pink sparkle coming from her golden hooves!), stopping just outside the King’s Theatre to catch a glimpse of the magnificent costumes and choreography. Honestly, darlings, the grandeur was something else!
I just had to try on a replica of Marie Taglioni’s famous white tutu from La Sylphide (the one with the ridiculously long, flowing train, it must have taken a team to manage it!) Such a timeless silhouette – still makes a girl feel like a true fairy. But as much as I adore the Romantic era tutus with their graceful flowing lines, I found myself more intrigued by the bold colours and embellishments featured in the Grande Pas de Quatre. A vibrant purple bodice with shimmering silver detailing, combined with a full, flowing skirt... It was pure magic! The drama and precision of the steps were incredible – a tour de force! I was spellbound.
While I’m dreaming of tutus and grand pas de deux, let’s bring it back to the present day! In the world of contemporary ballet, we’ve got so much to look forward to this August. The Royal Ballet is staging a truly captivating performance of Giselle with a stunning set and lighting design – oh, to witness that live! But my heart truly belongs to Swan Lake (I do love my classics), and I've heard whispers that the Birmingham Royal Ballet will be performing their rendition in a few weeks.
Speaking of contemporary, my darling readers! Have you heard about the rising trend of ballet-inspired fashion? From ballet flats to ballerina-inspired clothing, this beautiful style is making waves worldwide! I’ve spotted several designer brands creating collections inspired by the graceful and elegant lines of the ballerina – just look at the current chignon craze! I just have to get myself one of those sparkly ballerina-inspired clutch bags - so chic!
And speaking of sparkle, who else has a secret passion for ballet street performance? I stumbled upon a phenomenal street ballerina performance on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral earlier this week - talk about a stunning backdrop for a performance! They were absolutely captivating – not only in their flawless dance skills but also in their innovative costuming and theatrical flair.
My aim in life? To get everyone wearing a pink tutu! We might be in the 21st century, but that doesn't mean we can't embrace the magic and whimsy of traditional ballet fashion. Think tutus for everyday life! Think ballerina bun hairstyles for a night out! Think sparkling pink accents everywhere! Let's create a world where every day feels like a grand ballet!
Don’t forget, you can catch me performing live at the Derbyshire Dance Festival later this month. I’m so excited to share my passion for ballet with all of you! I'll be twirling, twirling, twirling until my shoes shine and my heart glows!
Until next month, my darlings!
Emma xx
P.S. Don't forget to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest ballet news, tips and inspiration!
