Hello my darling ballet bunnies! Emma here, and it's time to take another spin through time on my trusty steed, Magic Meg! December is my absolute favourite month, what with all the twinkling lights, festive cheer, and the magical glow of the ballet stage. This month, we're journeying back to a truly momentous date - December 12th, 1662! Can you believe it's been over three and a half centuries since this special day?!
But why, you might ask, is this particular date so special? Well, darling, it marks the debut of the very first professional ballet company in France, the Académie Royale de Danse. Can you imagine being a part of such an exciting, groundbreaking moment in ballet history? That's what I'd call a career highlight!
As soon as Magic Meg landed in the courtyard of the Louvre in Paris, I knew we were in for a real treat. The energy was electric! Everyone seemed to be abuzz with excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of the famous stage fright. The costumes were something else! While not quite the extravagant, full-skirted, billowing tulle masterpieces I adore, they still had an elegant, regal flair. The ladies, naturally, were clad in fine fabrics, lace, and pearls, while the gentlemen were dressed in richly embellished coats and breeches. A far cry from my comfy, easy-wear leotard and tights, but stylish nonetheless.
This royal academy was all about grandeur and spectacle! Think stately ballrooms, candlelit chandeliers, and exquisite music. Oh, the stories those grand halls could tell! In fact, they do tell stories, through dance. Just imagine, a time when every movement, every expression held so much weight and importance.
Now, of course, I had to visit the academy and see the performances firsthand. Thankfully, Magic Meg managed to find her way to the back of the stage. From there, I witnessed something truly magnificent. It was like a dream come to life! The dancers, so graceful, their bodies moving like the wind. Their every gesture a delicate whisper, a poetic poem told without a single spoken word.
I managed to nab a peek at the costumes - elegant silks and velvet in various jewel tones, with beautiful patterns and intricate embroidery. Imagine the sheer skill needed to create such elaborate attire, back in a time when sewing machines were a far-off fantasy! I was truly inspired. And the jewellery! Imagine the weight of the gems those ballerinas carried with them! I imagine a graceful pirouette or a powerful jeté would make the diamonds sparkle, illuminating the entire stage with their shimmering beauty!
Of course, no trip back in time would be complete without some shopping! I couldn’t resist venturing into the grand salons and market stalls to hunt for treasures that would perfectly complement my collection. A delicately woven silk scarf that would look exquisite tucked into my pink tutu, perhaps? Or a pair of exquisitely detailed brooches with sparkling pearls and precious stones - I couldn’t resist adding those to my ever-growing collection of dance-inspired jewellery!
But shopping isn’t the only thing on my agenda. You see, every trip through time is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into ballet's captivating history. And it was during my little escapade in 1662 that I learned so much about the origins of professional dance. Did you know that back then, dance was completely different from what we know today? Imagine: no plies, no arabesques, no développé - instead, it was all about formalized movements, dramatic gestures, and theatrical storytelling. The dances themselves often centred around courtly life and even incorporated the dances of the nobility! Fascinating, right?
You might be wondering: what’s my favourite thing about my trips through time, my dear ballet bunnies? Well, it's not just the fashion or the dancing (though let's be honest, both are utterly fantastic!), but also meeting those inspiring people, the dancers who shaped ballet into what we see today. I'm talking about giants like Louis XIV, the 'Sun King' himself - the one who, I’m proud to say, championed dance as a vital art form and paved the way for the ballet we know and love today. Oh, how I would have loved to take a dance class with him and his royal dancers! Imagine the elegant posture, the regal gestures - I simply must add that experience to my ballet bucket list!
Well, my darling bunnies, it's time for me to take a curtsey and bid farewell! Don't forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com to see the exquisite new treasures I've unearthed for my collection. And don’t forget to spread the pink tutu love and join me on my journey to see everyone rocking a fabulous pink tutu.
Until next month,
Emma xx
