Greetings, dear fellow dance enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident tutu-tastic historian, back with another delightful delve into the world of ballet! Today, we're venturing into the year 1789, a year of seismic shifts, not only in world history but also in the evolution of ballet itself.
Remember how I always tell you about how dancing helps you travel through time? Well, this week, I went right back to 1789! It's all thanks to my street performances, where I dance my heart out in the heart of London. Suddenly, the streetlamps seem to flicker, and, presto! – I'm swept away on a tide of time, arriving right at the cusp of a new century!
So, picture this: It’s Paris, 1789 – a whirlwind of change is sweeping across France. The Bastille has just fallen, and the air is thick with excitement, fear, and a new kind of energy. Even in the world of ballet, a seismic shift is afoot! And, what's more, everyone's embracing it!
The French Revolution: A New Age for Dance?
Now, this might be surprising to some, but the French Revolution brought a change in attitude towards the world of dance that extended beyond the French borders, right to England. While the revolutionaries were calling for a new social order in France, dancers like myself (only imagine how fantastic a pink tutu would have looked amidst the crowds of Paris then!) felt a fresh surge of energy and expression, too!
Ballet, in those days, was more like a highly formalized spectacle, a form of courtly entertainment. The French Revolution challenged all that. Dancers became freer, with an air of rebellion and expression woven into their movement.
The impact? The "revolution" led to a flowering of new choreographic styles! Gone was the rigid, often predictable courtly ballet, and in its place rose a more natural, less structured, and emotionally charged style.
The French revolution was the moment when ballet truly began to embody a whole range of human emotion! So much energy! So much to express through dance. What an exhilarating time to be alive, to see how powerful a medium ballet could be!
Fashion Focus: Powdered Wigs & Embroidered Satin
Now, onto the fashion. Oh, let's just say, ballet attire in 1789 had a very distinct 'look' – a far cry from the flamboyant costumes you might be accustomed to nowadays.
The "look" was formal. Think long skirts with ornate embroidery – and don't forget the frills! Picture the most beautiful silk in pastel colours, draped into a multitude of layers. The dancers weren’t really allowed to show their limbs too much, so skirts often concealed their dancing shoes (which were made of leather and quite flat!). But a flash of ankle or a twirl of the skirt was definitely alluring.
Now, the gentlemen? Imagine this, darling, the ballerinos of this time – wearing tight breeches, silken stockings, and what seemed like an entire pound of powdered wigs! To my eyes, it was quite amusing. It really highlighted their leaps and turns. There was an artfulness to how the powdered wigs would take flight as they pirouetted.
Imagine, the men had powdered wigs! I always do.
I imagine that I'd love to take a little bit of all of that 'look' and give it my signature pink twist, don't you think?
What's on Stage and in the Shops
Let’s have a quick look at the ballet world in 1789! Of course, Paris was the beating heart of ballet. A number of renowned ballet companies, like the "Académie Royale de Danse," flourished in this era.
You’d also find some spectacular ballet productions, but be warned, dear dance lovers! They were a little bit different than our shows today! Imagine an opera and a ballet fused together – the perfect example is something called the “ballet d’action." These were huge productions that took themes from Greek mythology and used the dancers to bring stories to life.
My research indicates there was also a boom in theatrical design! Stage designers were creating innovative backdrops and lighting effects that enhanced the storytelling aspect. The lighting especially must have been thrilling. How wonderfully elegant it must have felt to see those dances illuminated!
Fashion in 1789:
It's all about pastel colours and silks in 1789! Now, remember this, ladies! When it comes to dressing up as a ballet lover, anything with a hint of pink and pastel colours is always the way to go!
So, go ahead and raid your wardrobe – we’re looking for luxurious fabrics and flowing silhouettes. The best advice? Look to historical clothing inspiration from the era.
As always, keep an eye out for what you can find, too. In my quest to spread the pink tutu revolution, I look for pieces in all kinds of places, both old and new. From flea markets to online auctions to fashion houses and street markets, a real dance lover has to be prepared to travel. It’s so rewarding!
I look forward to seeing how you all translate the looks of the 1780s into a vibrant modern fashion – I know, dear readers, you're going to be smashing this!
From My Time-Traveling Diary
So, this week I stepped into a truly fascinating period of dance history. There were no pink tutus (at least not yet, but maybe, just maybe I'll help make them fashionable for another generation of dancers), but there was definitely a powerful current of artistic innovation swirling through the Parisian ballet world in 1789. Who knows what I'll find in my next journey back through time?!
Until next time, darlings, happy dancing!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
