Hello my lovely fellow ballet fanatics! Emma here, and I'm back with another juicy installment in our ballet history adventures. I know I can't stop wearing pink (because seriously, pink tutus are the most fabulous invention ever!), but this month I'm all about the roots of our beloved art form – it's 1680 we're headed to today!
Before I take you back in time, a little something from me: this week, I absolutely had to snatch up the most stunning pair of pale pink ballet flats I've ever laid eyes on! They're adorned with delicate silver bows and feel like I'm walking on clouds. You know how I adore anything sparkly and feminine!
But, onto our history jaunt!
You know me, I love to transport myself to different eras using my magic street-performing powers, and this month I decided to go right back to the very beginnings of ballet.
Now, in 1680, things were quite different from our contemporary world. Picture the grand palaces of France, where powdered wigs and elaborate gowns were the norm. But there was one crucial element in common with the 21st century: an obsession with art and spectacle!
This era witnessed the birth of court ballet, where members of royalty would grace the stage with their performances. They'd entertain their fellow aristocrats with stories set to music. Can you imagine waltzing gracefully in front of your peers while wearing a dazzling gown? So glamorous!
A key figure in this early period was King Louis XIV, he was absolutely smitten with ballet. He even considered himself a professional dancer! (Talk about the ultimate flex!)
He also commissioned famous ballet master, Pierre Beauchamp, to codify and organise ballet into something that felt more structured, similar to what we recognise today! This made ballet a refined art form and paved the way for the structured steps we all know and love.
To get a sense of the style, you know, before our fabulous tutus became a necessity, think ornate costumes with a ton of embroidery and lavish feathers. They're probably heavy! The movements would have been formal, stately, and often dramatic. There were fewer leaps and turns compared to our contemporary ballet - a style which truly emphasises grace, agility and expression!
Sadly, we don't have many historical photos from this period to capture their beauty and show us the real fashion, but I’ve been studying old engravings!
This Year in Ballet - 1680:
- Plays and Ballets: The grand productions in France showcased ballet interwoven with elaborate theatrical elements! It would have been like a grand musical extravaganza, complete with costumes, props, and sets - all part of the entertainment! Can you imagine the artistry on display!
- The Fashion!: As I mentioned, fashion was a huge deal! Imagine rich velvet fabrics with delicate lace trims. Long flowing robes with ribbons, sequins, and embellishments, plus lots of lace! Even shoes were super fancy, incorporating ornate brocade and silk - all designed for a truly opulent look.
- Women in Ballet: We're already beginning to see the rise of female ballerinas in the 17th century! Even though the ballet form is in its early stages, ladies were still putting their stamp on this fabulous art form, albeit mostly as part of the royal courts. This truly solidified ballet as an expression for women as well as men.
I’ll have to try my best to put on a show featuring the movements, and outfits of this era when I next do my street dance performances!
This year, I was able to take a look at a truly unique museum piece, a preserved bodice from the court of Louis XIV. It was a treasure trove of creativity. I couldn’t resist the urge to try it on and twirl like I was a true lady of the court. It’s a wonder they didn't have pink tutus! They’d be so stylish and practical!
Remember, darling readers, that while this period marks the origins of ballet as a structured form, the essence of the art - telling stories through expressive movement, continues to inspire dancers around the world even today!
And that's why my ballet heart still flutters with excitement every time I slip into a pink tutu and lose myself in the beauty of ballet, because it’s all about that feeling! I encourage everyone to explore the magical world of ballet - you never know, maybe it'll spark your inner ballerina, too!
Until next time, remember to twirl and shine. You never know who might be inspired by your style!
P.S. Don't forget to visit the www.pink-tutu.com blog for more fabulous posts on everything ballet. Until then, keep shining and may your days be filled with pirouettes and twirls!
P.P.S. Is your love of pink tutus as fervent as mine? Don't hesitate to share your passion in the comments below! Let's bring a pink tutu revolution to the world! 💕
