Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back from another fabulous journey through time! I can't believe it's been another month, and time flies by even faster when you're riding Magic Meg through history. As always, I'm just bursting with tales to share about my recent adventure. This month, I whisked us back to May the 5th, 1973 and, oh my, the ballet world was abuzz!
Before we hop into the excitement, have you seen my new tutu?! It's a blush pink with silver embroidery, inspired by the gorgeous 1970s aesthetic. I must admit, even I, a seasoned tutu collector, was wowed by the fashion trends back then. The vibrant colours, the floaty fabrics, it was just pure fabulous! And let me tell you, it paired beautifully with Magic Meg's shimmering pink coat, which I’d finally managed to snag in a vintage shop during our last stop in the roaring 20s (more on that in a later post, of course).
Speaking of stops, this time we landed right in the heart of London! The atmosphere was electric. London in 1973 felt incredibly lively, vibrant, and oh-so-stylish. The first thing that struck me was the energy! The music, the laughter, and the hustle and bustle were almost tangible. I spotted several street performances, which always make my heart sing.
And, as fate would have it, there was a beautiful ballet show on that night. We dashed to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (oh, the magic of this iconic building!) where, to my utter delight, the ballet "Giselle" was taking centre stage. I gasped as I witnessed Margot Fonteyn, a legendary dancer in her prime, captivating the audience. Seeing her, ethereal and graceful on stage, was an unforgettable moment. The choreography, the costumes (oh, those gorgeous romantic tutus!), and the sheer emotion conveyed by Fonteyn, it was a truly enchanting performance. I was enthralled, and I must confess, a tiny tear did roll down my cheek (in a completely glamorous fashion, of course).
After the show, we snuck into the back stage area (Magic Meg’s secret ability is making us invisible to most mortals). I snagged a beautiful embroidered scarf from a discarded costume bag and, wouldn't you believe it, even managed to borrow an exquisite ballet shoe with a perfectly worn sole (imagine all the stories that shoe could tell)! I can't wait to display these treasures in my vintage ballet collection at home!
Speaking of collecting, my dear readers, don’t forget that the month of May is all about “Share your Tutu” at www.pink-tutu.com. Show off your best tutus! Send in a photo of you rocking your favorite tutu, no matter if it’s pink, blue, or rainbow! I’ll be picking my favorite tutu photo at the end of the month, and the lucky winner will receive a lovely surprise!
Now, for a bit of gossip! Remember how I was saying the ballet world was buzzing? Well, news was rife that the Royal Ballet was set to take on a brand new work, “The Rite of Spring,” a radical piece by the iconic choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. From the stories I gathered, this ballet was causing a stir! The modern choreography and the untamed, wild nature of it were making waves, shocking the traditionalists but captivating audiences nonetheless.
Before we part for the month, my dears, I just wanted to share a little tidbit from the 1973 edition of “Dance Magazine.” Did you know that a ballerina named Leslie Browne won the coveted Prix de Lausanne competition? It was such a remarkable feat! This competition, you know, it's like a ballet olympics, celebrating young dancers and their dedication to this wonderful art form.
So, my darlings, I'm signing off for now. I'll be back in a month with more adventures and pink tulle! I'll also be sharing some amazing 1970s dance fashion inspiration, and don't miss my collection of "ballet memories" from my travels to the 1970s. But before I go, please share your favorite tutu story or your thoughts on "The Rite of Spring." And remember, don't forget to join in the #ShareYourTutu fun on the website. Let's make this world a little bit more pink!
With love and pirouettes, Emma x
