Hello my darling lovelies! Your favourite pink-tutu wearing blogger, Emma, here, ready to whisk you all back to the year 1747, a time when the ballet world was a whirlwind of grace and grandeur! Let's get ready to dance back in time, darling, because I've got some fabulous history to share!
First off, can we talk about those beautiful tutus?! Imagine swirling across the stage in a full, flowing, powdered tutu! It would have been divine. Yes, they didn't have the stiff, dramatic tutus we love today, but imagine a light, airy creation, adorned with beautiful ribbons and possibly some feathers! They probably paired it with some dainty ballet shoes (maybe even pink, darlings!) and elegant costumes with sleeves!
I always get so jealous, darling, thinking about those historical dancers - I bet they were the trendiest in town, just like us modern-day ballet fanatics. My dearest friend, who is always on top of all things fashion, reminds me that fashion is cyclical and the big puffed sleeves from this era might be coming back! Honestly, we have got to be on top of our ballet fashion game, you see! We need to be prepared!
Okay, darling, now, for the news you've all been waiting for!
Ballet Buzz!
1747 was a whirlwind of theatrical activity and excitement. One of the big news stories was the debut of Le Carnaval des Animaux in London! Now, this wasn't the same animalistic extravaganza we love today, darlings. You see, this Carnaval was all about satirical dances and pantomimes depicting animals and humans! Talk about a different style! Le Carnaval des Animaux would have had people roaring with laughter and enjoying themselves with a dose of humour!
But darling, that's not all! If you were in Paris, you would have had the chance to see the illustrious Jean-Baptiste Lully's masterpiece Atys revived for the Royal Academy of Music! It must have been a breathtaking spectacle! Lully was a ballet and opera maestro, and this production, with all its theatricality, would have set hearts racing and pulses thumping! And don't even get me started on the costumes! All that lace and silk must have been incredible!
Oh, darlings, 1747 was simply bursting with fantastic dance shows, and what is fashion without shows, I say? That's why my dearest, we need to continue our street performance trend! We need to make ballet fashion the biggest craze of this century - you know, like that whole poodle skirt thing, darling. Just imagine the buzz around the theatre, street performance or a ballet class! Let's bring those twirling and leaping thrills everywhere!
Let's talk about the ballet stars!Now, picture this, my loves: dancers who trained hard in lavish ballet schools, honed their technique, and became absolute superstars! One of the most prominent ballerinas, Maria Camargo, made headlines back then, a dazzling lady! She was revolutionary, a true visionary of her time. She challenged the traditional ways, bringing a more athletic, energetic style, challenging the strict traditions with a boldness we can all adore! She certainly didn't have to follow anyone's fashion rules either, my darling. A true feminist ahead of her time! She was a strong woman who pushed boundaries and dared to express herself through dance. Now, talk about true inspiration!
What did they wear in 1747?Can we imagine for a moment a world of lace, silk and delicate, colourful prints? It was truly divine! Think big ruffles, exquisite beading, and ribbons galore - I know we adore all those delicate, charming details, my dears! Their elegant costumes often reflected the trends of the time with gorgeous dresses, intricate jewelry, and hair beautifully styled and adorned. But most importantly, they embraced the love of dance and made the art form truly spectacular!
Now, darlings, don't think for a minute that only ladies graced those stages. We need to give a shout out to those gorgeous men, too! Ballet was for everyone, darling! These ballerinos wore elegant breeches, stylish jackets, and maybe a waistcoat or a cravat! We're getting a sneak peek into their fashion, aren't we?
What are the biggest ballet shows happening today?Ok, back to our own glorious world! Have you heard, darlings, that the Royal Ballet is putting on Romeo and Juliet in the glorious Coliseum?! This is your chance to dive into Shakespearean drama! If you are a fan of grand, romantic gestures and passionate love stories, you need to book your tickets pronto! Trust me, this one will have you swooning and mesmerized by the dancing and costumes! I’ve seen the latest images and it has the best pink ballet tutu, which I’ve designed for my own new boutique collection! I’m super excited about it – we need to all create more gorgeous designs to inspire everyone!
My other recommendation? If you want to immerse yourself in more modern ballet, the English National Ballet has this phenomenal contemporary piece, The Sixth Extinction. It's thought-provoking and brings awareness to climate change, which is definitely something we should be concerned about. The ballet blends incredible physicality with powerful symbolism. It will truly have you contemplating those essential environmental issues, darlings.
But remember, ballet is much more than just the stage. The art form inspires creativity and beauty. Remember, you don't have to be a professional dancer to feel the joy and the energy of ballet! Get that fabulous pink tutu on and get dancing, darling! Maybe it's time to add some flair to our outfits - a pink ribbon here, some glitter there, and maybe a sprinkle of feather boa for extra dramatic effect! And when we start that pink-tutu trend, let's make sure we make ballet history!
Until next time, darling, don’t forget to keep twirling and always embrace your inner pink-tutu ballerina! And please share your ballet outfits and dance videos in the comments!
Love, Emma xx
P.S.Don't forget to visit my pink-tutu boutique online for some fabulous, sparkly outfits to celebrate our shared love of dance! And make sure to catch me twirling and twirling, and maybe a bit of leaping, in Derbyshire at my latest performance! It’s on my website!
Remember: Dance like nobody is watching and never lose that love for twirling!
