Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink Tutu!
Today we're stepping back in time, all the way to 1643, to the very beginnings of ballet as we know it. Let me tell you, things were VERY different then! Can you imagine life without a sequined bodice and pointe shoes? The horror!
Anyway, we all know that 1643 is a really important year for our beloved ballet. In that year, the court of Louis XIV of France hosted a magnificent ball, and to celebrate the occasion, they invited the very first professional dancers to perform. Imagine the thrill!
Before this, dancing was something done at social gatherings, just like ballroom dancing is now. It was usually accompanied by music, and people just sort of, you know, moved their bodies. But at that royal ball, something different happened - professional dancers showcased their skills, performing steps and formations with incredible precision. Think about it: That's the very first moment where ballet started taking on a life of its own, separate from casual gatherings and becoming a spectacle!
Imagine how those first professional dancers must have felt, strutting their stuff in front of royalty. It's amazing to think they were pioneers in a world where ballet as we know it didn’t even exist. You know I adore vintage and finding vintage costumes! I imagine them in luxurious silks and satins, and probably a fair amount of feather boas. Can you picture them leaping and twirling, wearing big, elaborate skirts, perhaps with some embroidery? So glamorous! I'm picturing something a little bit like the costume for Odette in "Swan Lake." Very graceful, but still regal!
Okay, so this wasn't quite the "swan lake" we know and love, it's more about these dancers having the opportunity to showcase their unique skills for the very first time. This really is a moment to celebrate in the history of ballet! These pioneering dancers helped give ballet a new identity. And they probably inspired those around them, starting the spark that has continued to burn all these years, all the way up to the breathtaking performances of today.
Speaking of breathtaking performances...
The London Ballet School is having a brilliant "Romeo and Juliet" production, and of course, it is going to be divine. They're presenting a real classical approach to the ballet, showcasing the classic choreography in its raw beauty. And let’s talk costumes - imagine a Juliet in a delicate white, perfectly elegant tutu, with her flowing hair - such a vision of elegance and youth. Just thinking about it, I'm starting to feel all giddy, aren't you? Oh, the excitement! I just love seeing those dramatic, romantic scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" brought to life. Romeo, Juliet, their story... it's so tragic but so moving.
As for shopping, you won't believe this: I recently discovered a vintage shop in Derbyshire that’s filled with incredible ballerina shoes from the 1950s and 60s. There are delicate pink satin shoes, sparkly slippers in every shade of the rainbow - you name it, they’ve got it. Oh, I’m dreaming of taking them home and showcasing them in a little ballet exhibition!
This week, I'm feeling so inspired by those first ballet pioneers from 1643. Their talent, courage and determination are things to really celebrate! So get out your favorite tutu and make like the dancers in the court of Louis XIV – celebrate your love for ballet and maybe take a little inspiration from their bravery and grace! Remember, ladies, it’s all about embracing that inner grace and passion and dancing your heart out. And don't forget - a pink tutu makes everything a bit more fabulous!
Until next time, my loves. Stay beautiful!
Emma
[ www.pink-tutu.com ]
