Hey darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed historian! This week, we're travelling back in time to 1788 – a year full of swirling tutus, exciting premieres, and a whole lot of pink! (Well, maybe not all pink, but we'll get to that.)
Now, you might think 1788 is a long time ago, but trust me, the world of ballet was buzzing then just as it is now. It's like those old Hollywood films – so much glamour and a little bit of mystery too! 😉
First things first – I absolutely had to find out what fashion was like in 1788. Turns out, it was all about the rococo style, which meant lots of frills, fluffy feathers, and a lot of silk. Seriously, even the men were rocking the pastel colours, but imagine how amazing those ball gowns looked under the chandeliers of the Opera Garnier!
And speaking of the Opera Garnier, it was the place to be for ballet. Sadly, the one in Paris didn't open until 1875, but even back in 1788, there were plenty of incredible ballet theatres – I’m looking at you, Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris! 🤩
This was a big year for ballet premieres too!
Spotlight on a Star!
Remember my favourite ballerina, Marie Allard? Well, she had an incredible year. She played the starring role in Psyche, which debuted at the Opera of the Théâtre Italien in Paris, where they had a truly phenomenal performance with a set featuring clouds that moved! You just can’t imagine what the Parisian audiences thought about that, I imagine gasps and a bit of a "Wow!". Think how big it would be in our world. What’s not to love about a bit of dramatic performance?
But it wasn’t all rosy pink and feathered tutus. While the Parisien ballet scene was bursting, London was struggling to keep up with the latest trends. The Royal Opera House, my lovely home away from home (even if it's built way after my time), was having some financial troubles – sounds like a tale for another post, perhaps!
Now, I wouldn’t be a true pink-tutu-wearing ballet blogger without talking about fashion! 1788 was a big year for pink! 🍑 Think of the colours in Giselle, and now imagine them in a beautiful shade of rosy pink! A vision, isn’t it?! So, whilst the pink tutus might not have been quite as popular as today (alas, tutus were yet to make a big appearance), the pastel pink fabric definitely made a splash in those lovely dance dresses!
But that's just a taste of 1788 – there's so much more to discover! You want to learn more about the history of ballet, fashion, or even the stars who graced the stage? Then pop over to pink-tutu.com for a pink tutu peek behind the curtain – don't forget to bring your feather boas! ✨💖
Stay Pinky!
Emma xo
(P.S. My next time travel is going to the big 1789 French Revolution! Maybe a few pink-tutu rebels were there, ready to kick-up their heels and demand liberté, égalité, fraternité...in pink? 🤔 Stay tuned! )
