Hello, my lovely ballet bunnies! 🐰💖 It's Emma here, and I'm so excited to share my latest time travel adventure with you! Today we're taking a trip to a very special year in ballet history, 1666 – the year ballet officially took its first steps onto the world stage! I know, it feels like a whole lifetime ago, right? But back then, things were getting super exciting in the world of dance!
Time travel can be quite a rush!
This time, I arrived in a bustling London town, with cobblestones, carriages and lots of fashionable people – although, I must say, the fashion was very different back then! It took a few cheeky spins in my pink tutu on the bustling street to get some local coin for a vintage hat and a few new tights. Trust me, when you time travel, it's essential to have a trusty bag of tricks, and a cute outfit that will make the local folk say “Oh la la!”
Let’s rewind and dive into this epic ballet era…
It all began when Louis XIV, the sun king of France (and a total style icon in his own right!) decided that his court needed some extra oomph. Now, Louis had impeccable taste, obviously, so he did what any self-respecting king would do – he created an academy! This wasn’t just any old academy, though. This was the Académie Royale de Danse, and it was all about celebrating the art of ballet!
Cue the tutu twirls, the elegant poses and the graceful leaps!
Back then, it wasn't just about beautiful dance steps and swirling tutus. Ballet was more about showing off courtly manners and elegant gestures, like a really fancy etiquette class for royalty and those in the know! It's interesting to think how ballet has changed so much from those royal courtly roots! But, just like us modern day ballet bunnies, these folks back in 1666 loved getting all dressed up and celebrating beauty and art!
Talking of dressing up… Fashion in the 1660s was a sight to behold!
Just picture a mix of velvet, lace, frills, and powdered wigs! Seriously, it was the kind of style that made you stop and stare (and then maybe gasp in amazement!), and of course, this style influenced ballet. We're talking flowing costumes and dramatic hairstyles that must have been the talk of the town. I mean, you’d be wearing those huge powdered wigs all day, wouldn’t you! And think about those outfits – big skirts, even bigger ruffles – no wonder they had a designated royal dance teacher!
Where do you think the men of this time would be found?
It’s probably safe to say the Académie Royale de Danse was filled with some seriously chic men! Back then, it wasn’t unusual for men to be ballerinos. In fact, it wasn't until much later, well into the 1800s, that women began to truly make their mark as ballerinas. This change was a huge step for female dancers and for the whole ballet world! It's great to see women take center stage – after all, it’s all about celebrating the graceful movement and incredible athleticism of every dancer, regardless of their gender.
Now for the good news – There are some incredible shows that were happening in the world of ballet!
I was lucky to be able to sneak a peek at a performance of Lully’s opera-ballet ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’, It was simply exquisite. Imagine ballet mixed with musical drama! That's basically what opera-ballet was, a total fusion of different art forms, giving us a real taste of how creative ballet was back then. The movements and steps were designed to tell a story, making it more than just a dance spectacle, but a truly theatrical experience!
So, as I hop off the time travel stage (no tutu twirls here!)
What a year! It's hard to believe that 1666 was the year it all began, and with those dazzling dances, innovative productions, and some serious sartorial chic, it really was a golden age for the world of ballet. Now, we may not have powdered wigs or courtly dances today, but I can't wait to see where the next 300 years take us!
Remember, my darlings, ballet is always evolving and never stays in one place! Just like tutus have come in many styles – romantic, classic, and modern – the ballet world is all about keeping things exciting. Remember, it's all about pushing those boundaries, exploring the possibilities and always aiming for new heights!
*Love Emma 💖 *
P.S. Let me know in the comments what’s your favourite tutu style?! Mine? The classic puffy, with the cute ribbon, perfect for twirling – all the way back to 1666! 🩰
Visit www.pink-tutu.com to see more fashion trends for ballet!
