Hey beautiful ballet lovers! It's your girl, Emma, from Derbyshire, back with another blast from the past. I just had to tell you all about the year 1633 - it was a real turning point in ballet history! As we've learned from the greats before, sometimes you gotta look back to appreciate what we have today.
And this post, it’s dedicated to all you tutu-loving beauties out there – let's talk about some ballet history fashion and just how elegant the dancers were way back then! 😉💖
Now, I'm talking time travel here. No fancy gadgets or time machines for me - I use my trusty street performance skills to hop across the centuries. You might find me dazzling a crowd in a Covent Garden marketplace one week, and in Versailles the next. It's a life! 😂
Back to 1633…
Imagine French Royalty gathered for a grand ballet, celebrating Louis XIII’s birthday - the king himself participating with graceful movements, and a young dancer by the name of Marie-Catherine de Beauvais absolutely killing it on stage. Talk about some star power!
It wasn't just a performance, you guys, this ballet was part of a huge celebratory extravaganza – costumes, intricate sets, a whole spectacle to leave audiences gasping in amazement. You wouldn't be caught dead in a dull outfit when Royalty was present, so dancers took fashion seriously.
You see, ballet wasn't just the graceful movements we associate with it today. It was part theatre, part elaborate courtly dance, and a huge dose of celebration. Back then, these "ballet" were huge, complex events involving music, singing, elaborate costume changes - think more along the lines of an opera production!
Imagine the artistry! The choreography must've been incredibly detailed to hold a crowd's attention through all those songs and set changes. Talk about an impressive talent pool! These early ballet dancers were some serious movers.
Now, don’t think that a pink tutu would have been in vogue then - no, it was about richness, opulent embellishments, and layers! A little bit Renaissance era elegance mixed with the beginning of a trend towards something more classic. I bet you those beautiful costumes featured ribbons, lots of gorgeous gold embroidery, and the finest silk fabrics. Can you even imagine how beautiful it must have looked?! 🤩
That’s just one ballet in this extraordinary year. We’ve got Louis XIII setting the stage for his own ballet company, a company called Les Petits Ballets du Roi, all about introducing beautiful choreography to the court. That's a major step in creating what we know today as "ballet" – making it accessible and captivating. You wouldn't believe the cultural impact this one act had!
And speaking of impacts… You can thank this era for some pretty amazing fashion legacies. Can you even imagine a ball gown with layers and layers of silks and a whole sea of ruffles? That’s what ballet fashion was all about in those days, just gorgeous, dramatic silhouettes that showcased the graceful movements of the dancer.
Remember the trend of the time: the ballet and theatre connection! So these early forms of ballet did include all those things we think of as classic - you see the influence today. They were moving, acting, and using the gorgeous sets to their advantage.
Think about the real-life* dancers that got to play parts - they'd be a huge mix of nobility, trained professionals, and anyone fortunate enough to move gracefully. You can picture that - a ballet company composed of members of the Royal family as well as professional dancers. Amazing, isn't it?
But more than just fashion and spectacle, the early forms of ballet had a power to tell stories and showcase skill. It wasn't just a graceful dance; it was a medium for the creative expression of the court, which helped in solidifying this genre for future generations. Imagine that legacy! 💖🩰
This is why, dear fellow ballerina lovers, learning the history is so important! It’s all connected. I wouldn't be swirling around in a bright pink tutu today if it wasn’t for the creativity and innovation of ballet pioneers like those in 1633.
I'm excited to explore more time periods with you - keep checking back! We have SO MUCH to discuss. And don't forget, our biggest aim is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu. Why not make 2024 the year of pink tutus?
Sending love, twirls, and sprinkles,
Emma 💗
P.S. What's on in the world of ballet in 1633? Let me spill the beans!
- Les Petits Ballets du Roi: Established by Louis XIII, it's like the royal ballet company, making beautiful moves official!
- 'Le Ballet de la Royne' (The Queen's Ballet): This show featured dancers performing a series of allegorical dances to a specific storyline. Talk about storytelling and dance - it must’ve been spectacular!
- Costume fashion: A ballet would have been like a high-fashion catwalk today, full of extravagant attire and incredible costumes for the performance! Think about those elaborate silhouettes – you might just get inspired! 😉
Let’s continue to share our passion for all things ballet, one pink tutu at a time! 💕
