Hello, my lovelies! Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time – this time landing in a shimmering, swirly, and utterly fascinating 1627.
Now, darling readers, let me paint a picture: I arrived in the grand halls of the French court, the very year that ballet was declared a thing! Can you imagine? 1627, the year that ballerinas – well, I mean, courtly dancers back then – strutted their stuff, all in elaborate, if rather restricting, costumes. This, my dears, is where it all began.
I felt a little like a time-travelling princess, the only one in a bright pink tutu among all the lace and silks of the court! And yet, the energy was electrifying, full of intrigue and the thrill of something new. Can you picture a dance performance put on specifically to entertain the king? That was what it was like back then, all about captivating royalty with delicate steps, elegant costumes, and story-driven dances. It's where our love of a grand performance began!
Speaking of performances, I’m not going to lie – 1627 was a little light on the dance scene for me. They weren't quite doing full-length ballets as we know them today, but what they lacked in repertoire they certainly made up for in sheer, elegant spectacle! The French court were masters at dressing up for their courtly entertainment, and oh my! I found myself surrounded by glorious jewels, silks, feathers and intricate headdresses - an absolute delight!
Oh, did I tell you about the footwear? Now, imagine the most beautiful shoes – crafted from the finest leather, painstakingly adorned with exquisite embroidery and adorned with gorgeous gemstones – and then imagine that they are perfectly pointy-toed, but so utterly impractical! Thankfully, my pink tutu had much more comfy footwear! You have to understand, dancing was less about twirls and jumps back then and much more about intricate footwork and poses – it was all about elegant beauty and grace.
The most famous dancer back then was actually a man! He was the incredibly talented Pierre Beauchamps, who worked with the brilliant Louis XIV to take this new form of dance from a charming diversion to an art form! Can you believe that he even choreographed the famous “Ballet de la Reine”? I had to take a sneak peek through time and I tell you, darling readers, this wasn’t just a dance – this was an elaborate, storytelling spectacle!
What does this mean for us today, you ask? This marks the very beginning of our wonderful world of ballet. Without 1627, there would be no tutus twirling on stage, no glorious ballerinas gliding with effortless grace, and no spectacular ballet performances in our theatres and streets. So next time you find yourself caught up in the magic of ballet, remember, it all began right here in this pivotal year, with the kings and queens, the lavish courts and, of course, the captivating dance itself!
And now for some exciting fashion news, dear readers. I've been doing a little digging, and wouldn't you know it? 1627 brought a whole new world of style for women. Remember those wonderful lace bodices that accentuate a lady's shape so beautifully? Those were all the rage in 1627! It’s fascinating to see how fashion influences ballet in these early years, it was already showing in the clothing and styles.
Imagine those elaborate, yet graceful, outfits! The ruffles and ribbons, the elaborate headdresses! 1627 fashion was a perfect marriage of opulence and elegance. This period saw a renewed interest in fabrics like velvet and satin, but not just in their gorgeous texture! These were hand-stitched with delicate threads, creating such fine detail! You simply can't recreate the luxury that those ladies experienced at home!
Even with a focus on dainty fabrics, don't be fooled by thinking 1627 ladies lacked a fierce and strong feminine spirit! This year brought a whole new awareness to shape and structure – imagine a corset like the ultimate fashion statement of the day. And the skirts? So full and flared! Now I am really imagining some beautiful ballet dancers on the stage in such outfits! They certainly wouldn't be pirouetting too easily!
That is the thing about ballet! You’re taking something that looks so fragile and beautiful and then the dancers show us their raw talent and strength, the hours of practice and strength needed. It’s magical and utterly inspiring, a testament to hard work and devotion. And just like back then, 1627, even today, it all starts with a beautiful, elegant, inspiring outfit and the desire to share your love of the dance world!
Speaking of our wonderful ballet world, if you’re feeling like a touch of theatrical glamour after reading my tale, let’s hop over to our dance calendar and take a look at what’s on in the dance world right now!
- The Royal Opera House: A fabulous performance of “Giselle” - just to let you know, darlings, the original is coming up and I'm definitely seeing it!
- Sadler’s Wells: We are in for a treat this week - a thrilling rendition of “Don Quixote.” That's always a treat for everyone and always brings such lively, bright fun.
- The Birmingham Royal Ballet: A new interpretation of “The Sleeping Beauty”. A masterpiece of grace, beauty and a truly captivating narrative, it’s definitely a must-see! The costumes are stunning!
But remember my lovely ballet loves, there is always more out there than the main stages, we must remember to check out those small studios and local theatres. Who knows what incredible performances you could find! Remember those early courtly dancers of 1627 – every small act led them to that grand beginning, so let's take a tip from history!
And now, back to those stylish ladies! We must give ourselves some new fashion inspiration, darling readers. You have to remember, the most fabulous way to express yourself is with an unforgettable outfit. Here's how to channel 1627 fashion flair, a dash of vintage flair, and an absolute whole lot of Pink Tutu magic:
- The statement piece: Start with something statement! Whether it’s a lace bodice like those ladies in 1627 wore, a sparkling belt, or a glorious pink tutu with an intricate embroidery!
- Embroidery to add a touch of magic: A simple addition, but don't forget that those delicate, hand-stitched details – the flowers, swirls, delicate patterns! And it doesn't stop there. For that extra, modern twist, consider your jewelry! We’re taking a little bit of history and mixing in some lovely fashion for a modern, glamorous twist.
- Let’s make an entrance with your hair! Take inspiration from the elegance of 1627 and think about intricate, detailed up-dos! Now we can really feel the inspiration from our 1627 fashion icons.
- Let your outfit inspire you Now is the time to play up that ballet elegance with all your wardrobe. What better than a lovely dress and delicate heeled pumps? And to give the look that real sparkle, we all need some beautiful jewelry, of course, it doesn't need to be a gemstone like they would have worn, we’re bringing a little touch of bling and adding in a touch of magic from the fashion world today.
So let's get glamorous! Let’s wear a pink tutu!
Remember, every day is an opportunity to shine! Now let's take a walk on the wild side, go shopping and add a little 1627 flair to our lives. I can’t wait to see your beautiful and bold fashion choices, you wonderful and stylish people! Until next time!
