Hi darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu News, your go-to source for all things fabulous and twirly! 💖 This week, I'm whisking you all the way back to 1588, the year that saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada and, fun fact, the birth of ballet as we know it! 😲 Get ready to be transported to the Renaissance courts and dance with the dazzling courtiers who helped launch ballet into history!
This week's trip to the past was made possible thanks to my trusty little portable time-travel contraption which, you guessed it, is fueled by street ballet performances! 💖 My lovely, supportive fans gathered at Market Square in Derby and gave me the fuel I needed to slip into the time machine and set off for Renaissance France. Let me tell you, you just don't get crowds like this in the 16th Century! I had such a blast dancing in front of them and I have a lovely feeling a lot of Derbyshire people will be dusting off their tutus after witnessing my pirouette-tastic performance.
Dancing for the Queen!
Once I arrived in the Court of France, I headed straight for Catherine de' Medici, the Queen of Fashion and all things opulent. I swear, my own little pink tutu felt downright drab in comparison! I learned that the Royal Court was a flurry of extravagant attire and, guess what? Catherine de’ Medici was the one who gave birth to the courtly dance form that we know as ballet today! 💃 It was at a magnificent court celebration that Catherine saw this fabulous new dance, Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, which, you'll be surprised to know, was the very first ballet ever performed! I had a sneak peak at the lavish costume designs and let me tell you, the courtiers were totally rocking feathers and gold! I just loved the way that they paired gold tights and brocade shirts. I'm definitely going to have to take some inspiration for a new tutu, because this fashion definitely deserves to be revived.
Speaking of costumes, Catherine wasn't the only one obsessed with fashion in this time! Elizabeth I, the Queen of England, was a huge supporter of fashion trends. She kept things chic with stylish ruff collars and gowns with long, sweeping trains! Honestly, I just love the thought of how everyone back then put so much effort into looking amazing! 🤩
Time Travel Trivia:
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth I was nicknamed "the Virgin Queen?" She definitely looked the part too, and I was impressed to see how many ruffles were in vogue for this period! 😍
The year 1588 also marked a HUGE historical moment in England, when the Spanish Armada was defeated! Now, imagine how amazing a ballet show about that historical event would be! 🤩 There would be swirling battle sequences, flowing dresses representing the Spanish and English fleets, and dramatic costumes! It’s already inspiring ideas for my own shows and tutus!
* Ballet Buzz:*
1588 doesn't see much ballet in terms of modern shows, but I did spot the premiere of La Création du Monde by Darius Milhaud! That's right! 😱 That magnificent score which still fills dance floors today! It's an absolutely fantastic show, filled with the raw energy of nature. This is exactly the type of work that makes me want to wear my largest, fluffiest, most outrageously-coloured tutus and just let the feeling take me over.
Oh! And one more thing... did you hear about the beautiful new tutus from La Collection? They just released a line of stunning, sparkly tutus in the most beautiful colours! It just made my time travel worthwhile. I bought myself the most dazzling turquoise tutu, but the cherry red and gold tutu with matching brocade jacket was too fabulous for me to resist. If I can find my way to a tailor and seamstress in the Renaissance, I’m going to order some inspired brocade!
This has been another super exciting edition of Pink Tutu News, and until next time, darlings!
Stay twirling! 🩰💖
Love,
Emma 💖
