Hey darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back with another sparkly post! This week we're diving deep into the gorgeous world of ballet, but not just any time period… oh no, we're taking a time-travelling trip all the way back to the enchanting year 1797! 🩰
Can you believe that the year we're going to talk about was the very year our precious King George III (yes, the one in The Crown!) had his big 50th birthday? I mean, just picture it: London lit up with a dazzling display of fireworks, a grand feast fit for royalty, and the air abuzz with music and dancing… talk about a royal shindig!
I had the best time doing street ballet on my latest jaunt there… I must confess, my pink tutu caused quite a stir! The Londoners were a bit taken aback at first, but the crowd soon gathered, their faces lighting up with pure delight as I twirled and leaped, showing them just how fabulous a ballet performance can be!
But let's dive back into the year of 1797… Imagine for a moment, the grandeur of the King's Theatre, a theatre so elegant, so extravagant that it made even the most luxurious theatre of today seem a bit...well, basic! Now, imagine stepping into that magical space to watch a ballet! Oh, darling, it must have been utterly captivating!
Speaking of the King's Theatre – the most coveted ballet troupe, the Royal Ballet, was performing there in full glory! Just imagine being in the audience! This prestigious troupe, showcasing the greatest talent of their era… well, it sends chills down my spine just thinking about it!
One of the leading ballerinas of the day was Maria Taglioni. Now, you might not think of a ballerina wearing flowing gowns and dramatic headdresses when you think of ballet. But back then, it was the it-girl style! The haute couture of the ballet world!
Did you know that back then, dancers used to dance en pointe? Oh, the audacity! Pointe work is so much harder to do without the pointe shoes we wear today. I think it’s utterly amazing they were able to perform the elegant and dramatic poses while performing in these long dresses.
1797 was also a time when the fashion of ballet started to evolve… not that the original styles weren’t fabulous – just a little bit over-the-top for my personal tastes, haha! But just think about all the creative opportunities the designs and trends back then opened up for our ballet fashion. It was just the beginning of what would be the truly fabulous dance wear and ballet tutus that we adore today!
Even without the fancy ballet shoes and tutus, they were creating amazing shows back then. If you ever get the chance to see “La Fille Mal Gardée" (which translates to “The Unchaperoned Daughter”), “Le Carnaval de Venise" ("The Carnival of Venice") or “La Dansomanie” (“Dancing Mania”), you'll understand how impactful their dance skills truly were! Oh, just to imagine them spinning and swirling on that magnificent stage, surrounded by beautiful sets and elaborate costumes. The magic and grandeur must have been breathtaking!
And speaking of magnificent stages, in 1797 the theatre world was blooming. They were doing incredible stage productions, from dramas to comedies. Oh, just imagine what it would have been like to attend a grand theatre show… fancy dresses, gossipy crowds, the hush as the curtain rises, and then – BAM! The pure joy of seeing a beautiful performance come to life… The theatrical performances back then would put today's entertainment to shame, with brilliant stories brought to life on the stage!
Let me know, darlings, what’s your favourite style of tutu and I will share some gorgeous pictures of the ballet fashion trends on my Pink-Tutu Instagram page! I just love inspiring everyone to embrace the fabulous, the dazzling, the *simply fabulous and I think a pink tutu is the perfect accessory for all that…*
Don't forget to check out the gorgeous vintage ballet posters I posted too… oh darling, these designs are utterly stunning…
That's all for this week! Stay chic, stylish and fabulous, and until next time, keep twirling! 💖
Emmawww.pink-tutu.com
