Hey loves! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we explore the wonderful world of ballet – its history, its fashion, and most importantly, how to make everyone rock a pink tutu!
Today, we're hopping back in time, way back to 1647. It's a little known fact, but this year marks a major turning point in the story of ballet, paving the way for the beautiful art form we know and adore today.
And before I get into the fascinating historical stuff, let me tell you – I found myself SO inspired by this era that I bought the most gorgeous, new pink tutu! Think swirling, airy layers of silk, with a delicate sprinkle of pink beads around the hem. Imagine me twirling on a cobbled street, feeling like a fairy flitting through a 17th-century courtyard, just picture it!
Anyways, let's rewind a bit. Now, 1647 saw the debut of "Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit," which is basically French for "The Royal Ballet of the Night". This was a fancy ballet extravaganza put on for Louis XIV, the king of France at the time, who, it must be said, was a huge fan of the whole "being a royal" thing. This event was HUGE in the history of ballet – It’s thought to be the first ballet where a story was told with actual choreography and dancing. Before that, ballet was more like a fancy dance party with elaborate costumes and not much of a plot. Think “Dancing With The Stars,” but everyone's wearing velvet and feathers.
This “Royal Ballet of the Night” involved dancers and musicians and it’s considered a major milestone for the whole ballet genre, showcasing its potential as an art form and giving it an important cultural space at the heart of the court. Not too shabby! Louis XIV wasn’t just a big supporter of ballet – he was a dancer himself and the fact he chose it for his birthday bash shows it really started to grab some serious attention.
And speaking of attention-grabbing, how’s the fashion in this era?! It was full of drama, colour and grandeur – all the elements I love! Imagine dancers wearing silk and velvet costumes with massive, elaborate ruffs, adorned with precious jewels, lace, and a touch of silver and gold embroidery. Oh, the glamour! I wouldn't mind recreating those ruffs myself, even if I’d have to be extra careful on my way to the next performance. You never know if some unexpected street performance would call for a little "ruff" to my ensemble!
One thing I particularly love about this era's ballet costumes is how they incorporated movement into their design. Think flowy skirts for sweeping pirouettes and intricate patterns of ruffles and ribbons, designed to create visually striking illusions during graceful poses and jumps. And while these tutus aren't necessarily practical for our modern ballet practices – trust me, you don't want to get your 18th century gown stuck on the barre – they totally give me some style inspo! I just need to find the perfect combination of Victorian charm with that touch of ballerina elegance. I'll keep you posted!
So what is there to see in 1647, apart from the history of ballet itself? The world was bubbling with changes - from art movements to science and exploration. And even in 1647, I can tell you that ballet played an important role. Imagine, the people of that era getting their culture fix with incredible shows and productions, showcasing the elegance of dance, just as we enjoy it today! I wouldn’t mind heading back to that time period myself – I mean, who wouldn't want to dance in front of a king? Just need to figure out how to sneak my time-travel kit onto a London Underground train. Maybe with a vintage feather boa tucked under my pink tutu?
But now, back to the future (and my current, totally pink obsession!). Just remember, loves: whether you're a history buff like me or simply love ballet fashion, every generation finds its way to express its passion through this timeless art form!
Let’s keep exploring the magical world of ballet together – I’ll catch you soon in my next post on all things tutu-related, but in the meantime, remember – Embrace the pink, twirl with joy, and never stop believing in the magic of ballet!
Until next time, loves,
Emma x
