Bonjour mes chéries!
It's me, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back from another fabulous journey through history. This week I've been waltzing back to 30th December 1930, a date buzzing with excitement in the world of ballet, especially right here in London!
Let's face it, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, 1930 was a year when tutus were REALLY coming into their own. You know, not just a little twirl – but a big, beautiful, swirling statement. We're talking tiers of tulle, the ne plus ultra of feminine grace, a canvas for showcasing every dramatic step, a symbol of la belle époque at its most elegant.
So, where to start with my adventure in this fascinating decade? I had to start with the Covent Garden! It was a beacon for ballet lovers all over the world – a theatre bursting with glamour and history. Just imagine: a grand chandelier glittering overhead, the orchestra tuning up, and you – in your gorgeous pink tutu, naturally - taking your seat, a wave of anticipation washing over you!
This year, the Covent Garden season was thriving, with some absolutely unforgettable performances. The Ballets Russes had returned, with the magnificent Nijinsky leaving everyone breathless with his Spectre de la Rose. This is where the tutu really came into its own, my darlings. It became a key ingredient in creating a sense of ethereal beauty, transforming a simple dance move into something magical.
It's the little details that matter! Imagine a Spectre de la Rose tutu in a dreamy shade of rose – or the shimmering layers of a Scheherazade tutu that flowed like silk. I was smitten with every tulle petal and every elegant stitch. And of course, I made a little detour to the renowned Liberty department store for some pink fabric – you know me! Can't resist a dash of colour, especially when you're right there at the very birthplace of these iconic designs!
Then there were the ballerinas, such breathtakingly elegant and strong women. You can feel it in the way they danced – the energy, the graceful strength. The legendary Anna Pavlova, who danced here in 1930, was one such inspiring force. Just think, the iconic swan lake tutu, which she'd danced in with such breathtaking grace for all these years. It’s all thanks to women like Pavlova that the tutu's enduring power remains as strong as ever!
After I indulged in a few delightful hours at Covent Garden and Liberty, I felt the urge to experience the London of this period even further. So, naturally, I hopped aboard a vintage train, enjoying a cup of tea, of course – just imagine a train ride back in time. You can smell the coal in the air, the carriages creak gently with each change of tracks, and everyone is impeccably dressed in the most beautiful hats!
This, my friends, is what 1930 felt like - an exciting and stylish era. I must say, it really puts my own everyday London in perspective. Even today, I adore catching the London Underground for a quick hop between two theatres – one might say the glamour never quite left the railways!
Speaking of which, you know I have a little secret ambition. I’m not content with just a tutu. Oh, no. My true desire, darling, is for every woman in London (and everywhere!) to own a tutu, or two, or ten, and feel its magical power - to be swept away by that delicate fabric, feel its playful twirl, its power to express any emotion, whether joyful, playful, or even melancholy. The ballet world just has this magic. And I’d love to see it spill over and empower every woman. It's that sense of being just a little bit special, you know? A secret shimmer, even while just walking down the street.
Well, my fellow tutu lovers, that’s all for today’s #TutuTuesday. Keep an eye out for the #PinkTutu hashtag and stay connected. And who knows, maybe, one day you'll see me on your London streets in a bright pink tutu – if you look really hard, you might even catch me travelling in a beautiful vintage train!
À bientôt, Emma
xxx
