Hello darling! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu wearing, history-loving ballerina, and I am positively buzzing with excitement to bring you a juicy glimpse into the world of ballet back in 1656!
This year, the world of dance took a step forward (or should I say, a graceful leap) as ballet, oh so dear to our hearts, began to truly blossom. Imagine, darling, the sheer joy of discovering a brand new art form, filled with elegance and expressive movement! It was a time for new beginnings and exciting explorations.
Now, I know you love to imagine yourselves on stage, twirling in magnificent tutus and captivating the audience with your moves. But I think this post might give you even more inspiration than a whirlwind tour of your local dance shop!
Before we take a peek at the exciting trends of the year, I simply must talk about our wonderful time travel trip. This time, I was twirling in the heart of Derbyshire, my home county. Just picture me, my dear, in a whimsical, sunshine-yellow tutu with delicate lavender flowers, the breeze gently ruffling the tulle, as I danced among the fields of lavender! Oh, it was positively magical. The locals were charmed by my street ballet performance. Honestly, I had to add another bow to my tutu just to hold all the coins they threw into my hat! And let me tell you, it wasn't just their generosity that melted my heart, but their sheer delight at seeing me express myself through dance. It truly brought a twinkle to my eye!
Right, back to 1656. Youâd think, with such a fascinating period in the world of ballet, there would be tons of lavish balls and sumptuous shows, wouldn't you? Alas, darling, that wasnât quite the case. It was a time for ballet to spread its wings, a time of early beginnings, so instead of elaborate stage productions, imagine graceful performances, filled with poise and elegance, in court settings. Theyâd call it âla ballet de courâ. It sounds fancy, doesnât it? A royal delight to behold!
You can see why a simple, flowing, white tutu was so perfect back then, like a snowflake landing softly upon a crisp winterâs morning! A stunning canvas to showcase the expressive grace of the dancers.
In 1656, we're graced with two names that echo through the ages. First up, the flamboyant and absolutely dashing Pierre Beauchamp! Now this man was an influential dance teacher, a veritable king in the realm of ballet, and if there was a "ballet boss" of 1656, it was this chap. And guess what, darling, he went on to create something spectacular, the famous "five ballet positions"! Now that is something truly special, a revolutionary milestone for our beloved art form! It's hard to believe that every ballet performance we witness today builds on those very positions that Beauchamp created. He paved the way, darlings! Just like my pink tutu â it sets a fashion trend, but in a more subtle and elegant way than this guyâs position thing!
And to talk about ballet in 1656 is to talk about Louis XIV, oh so elegant, the king of all things fashionable! You know that fabulous royal life is always bound to inspire trends in the fashion world, darling. So, can you imagine what was the trend for a tutu? It wasn't the classic, full-skirted tutu we see today - that was still a little way off. I'm picturing elegant, delicate skirts, barely hinting at the iconic tutu, perhaps in shimmering, soft shades like pale green, or maybe a light, airy white. And of course, they wouldnât be called tutus then, would they? No, darlings, it would have been just a âskirtâ then!
Speaking of fashionable kings, what was hot in the theatre scene of 1656? Well, the Palais Royal Theatre in Paris, oh darling, this place is as legendary as the Eiffel Tower, opened its doors in a burst of opulence and style! Now, thatâs where you'd want to be to experience the thrill of live performances. Just picture the twinkling lights of the chandelier reflecting on a sparkling, beaded, and perfectly adorned ballet skirt, donât you just love imagining that! I would kill to wear my pink tutu at that theater! And although Iâm not sure exactly what ballet performances theyâd have, the fact that it was opening does make you feel excited for the potential future!
Well, darlings, thatâs our little dance trip through history for today. Next time I am off to Paris - no matter if its the Palais Royal or the Champs-Elysees, the time traveller, me, needs a trip to a real fashion hub! So keep an eye out for a post from my trip to France next week!
Till next time!
Love, Emma, Your Favourite Ballerina xx
