History of Ballet in 1785

Hello darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, back from another whirlwind trip through time, this time landing smack-dab in the glorious year 1785! I'm ready to share all the fashion and dance delights of this enchanting era, so settle in for a trip down memory lane. Let's raise a glass (or a goblet) to the graceful beginnings of ballet history! 🥂

My latest jaunt took me to the bustling city of Paris, the heart of all things elegant and chic. Picture it, darlings: cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and, of course, the stunning Palais Garnier Opera House! It was an absolute dream!

As a dancer, the sheer history in this place had me completely mesmerised. It’s a magical space full of whispers of legendary dancers from the past. You know me, always on the lookout for a fabulous tutu! The fashions of the time were an absolute riot of ruffles and lace – imagine powdered wigs, elaborate gowns with billowing skirts, and a splash of vibrant colours! Talk about a symphony of style, even the gentlemen looked quite dapper with their knee breeches and frock coats!

While the Palais Garnier Opera House wouldn't be built until much later, this was a time when ballet was really starting to take centre stage. I just had to experience the incredible Opéra de Paris, the heart of the ballet world. They were presenting an amazing array of ballets that year, and oh boy, the repertoire! A feast of classics like “Le Déserteur,” and “Le Chevalier errant.” Oh, I was lucky to snag tickets for both. I can just picture myself amongst the beautifully dressed audience, completely captivated by the swirling costumes and exquisite footwork.

You see, darling, this was the era of Pierre Gardel, a true innovator and someone who really put ballet on the map! Imagine a ballet with strong storylines, captivating characters, and even gasp! beautiful, dramatic female dancers taking center stage. It's all thanks to Mr. Gardel and his dedication to transforming ballet from a simple court diversion to the art form we adore today. Oh, how I adore his vision.

Speaking of dances, The Minuet was still the talk of the town, its elegant steps and refined movements making everyone swoon. Imagine a waltz, but even more formal, where everyone had to dance with perfect posture and a charmingly sweet smile. Imagine a sea of dancing tutus (they weren't tutus yet, just gowns!), swirling like butterflies across a grand ballroom. It was enchanting, my dears!

Speaking of tutus... The ballet fashion, oh darling! While the tutus we know today, those billowing pink dreams, hadn’t arrived yet, ballet costumes were making waves with their dramatic lines and flowing silhouettes. You wouldn't catch me anywhere without a gown or a skirt billowing like a sail, and a touch of bright colour for good measure! We can trace back the inspiration for our tutus today to this very period.

But the most interesting discovery of all, was that fashion back then, it wasn’t all about impractical, stiff designs! It was about freedom and comfort! It was a movement where ladies like myself started wearing pants for everyday life! A change for the better, don’t you think?

Let me tell you, I spent a beautiful afternoon browsing through the haberdasheries and the shops in Paris. There were gorgeous ribbons, exquisite silks, and delicate laces... oh, my head nearly spun! It’s the best place to pick up some stunning fabric and embellishments for my own dance costumes – a little touch of 1785 flair to add to my modern tutu! It's all about that vintage vibe, you know?

Let’s translate these fashion moments of history into today’s world, darlings. Picture it, flowing fabrics in gorgeous blues and greens, perhaps with touches of red. Think delicate lace accents, and a ribbon here and there! It's about elegance, grace, and adding a bit of je ne sais quoi to your modern dance outfit. Don't be afraid to experiment with fabrics and shapes – we want those layers! Imagine soft ribbons flowing as you dance, it's absolutely captivating.

Of course, I'll be sure to share my newest 1785-inspired creation with you all! Imagine me dancing in my latest bespoke pink tutu... a combination of modern tutu with a 1785 flair. Oh, the compliments will just flow. I can picture it now - pink silk, a delicate frill or two, and, for a bit of extra drama, some shimmering sequins. I might just add a few rosettes, or a feather boa. Oh, my dears! It’s going to be absolutely fabulous!

And for you fashionistas out there, darling, you too can embrace this historical fashion movement. We can take these amazing, revolutionary trends, combine them with modern elegance and style… and create tutus so dazzling that we might just get the whole world wearing pink! Oh, how exciting is that! We can create a beautiful pink tutu-filled world!

Stay tuned, darlings! I can’t wait to tell you about all the ballet trends in my next time-traveling post! I’ve got a feeling I'm going to be doing some incredible fashion finds – oh, it’s so exciting!

Until next time, love and sparkles!

Emma xoxo