Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your time-travelling pink tutu enthusiast, back with another incredible adventure from the past! As always, grab your favourite shade of pink, a comfy cushion (because time travel can get tiring!) and settle in for a whirlwind of ballet history. Today, we're whizzing back to March 3rd, 1663 - the year King Louis XIV decided to shake things up in the world of dance! 👑
Now, you may be thinking, “1663? That's a tad before tutus even existed!” And you'd be right, my dears! Tutus as we know them didn't arrive until much later, but ballet itself was making quite the splash back then.
Before I whisk you back in time, I simply had to share the most stunning pair of ballet shoes I stumbled upon in my Derbyshire travels. They were housed in a vintage antique shop - tucked away in a dusty corner, as if hiding from the world! They were crimson red satin slippers, hand-stitched and adorned with the most intricate, delicate beadwork. I imagined the ballerina who once wore these shoes, dancing with grace and poise across a stage, her every movement radiating beauty and artistry. My dear Meg, (that's Magic Meg, my magnificent pink, sparkling shire horse who has a talent for travelling through time!), pawed the ground with her golden hooves as if to agree. “Let's go back to where ballet shoes like this danced!" she whinnied.
And so we travelled - back to Paris, the very city that was beginning to birth the elegant art form we know and love today. Imagine the bustling streets, the grand palaces, and the charming little cafes, where laughter and chatter filled the air. I felt my own heart thump with excitement! Meg galloped down the cobblestones, her pink sparkle trailing like stardust in the air, drawing curious stares from everyone we passed. They looked back at me - dressed in my classic pink tutu, complete with shimmering pink silk ribbons cascading down my back and delicate satin gloves - a touch of the future, blending beautifully with the elegance of the past.
On March 3rd, 1663, Louis XIV made history, transforming ballet from a courtly pastime into an organised dance form. He founded the Académie Royale de Danse, setting a formal framework for instruction and performance.
The ballet of that time was quite different from what we see today. It was more about spectacle, grand gestures, and storytelling. Ballet was seen as an aristocratic form of entertainment, meant for showcasing power, courtly etiquette, and, of course, the elegance of the French nobility! Imagine waltzing through history, swirling among courtly ladies in elegant gowns and noblemen in velvet suits!
That same day, at the French Academy of Music, dancers of all backgrounds gathered to participate in a dance exhibition showcasing their artistic skills. The excitement was electric - they performed complex ballets, adorned in beautiful, ornate costumes, with impressive leaps and turns. The audience - the most esteemed figures of the French aristocracy - applauded enthusiastically! Their gowns glittered under the soft candlelight, while their jewels gleamed in the reflection of the music, as though competing with the performance.
But it was not all glamour and glitz! This momentous occasion marked a new era in dance. It brought structure to what had previously been a loosely formed art, creating a stage where talent, training, and creativity could truly blossom.
Now, I wouldn't be a good time-travelling ballerina if I didn't tell you what to wear to such an occasion. Of course, there’s the signature pink tutu! Pair it with a matching velvet bolero or jacket, and perhaps a pearl necklace to accentuate the luxuriousness of the evening. Your hair should be beautifully curled and decorated with ribbons or a crown for a touch of regality, after all, it is a courtly event!
Even though I wasn’t wearing my pink tutu on that particular trip, (imagine the horrified faces if I had gone into the palace with a bright pink tutu in the 1600s!) I used my magic travel rucksack, you know, the one I use for collecting the ballet treasures I find during my journeys! Inside it was overflowing with gorgeous fabrics, vintage ballet shoes, and of course, tales to share. These are my precious memories from across time, to help my blog readers share in this exquisite world. I often dream about a world where everyone embraces the joy of ballet, where they twirl and leap in their own pink tutus, bringing beauty and expression to the world.
After all, my dears, what could be better than sharing your passion and enthusiasm with others? Don't forget to spread the magic of ballet by wearing a pink tutu! You'll be surprised by the joy it brings you and those around you.
Until next time, keep dancing! 🩰💖
P.S. Don't forget to check out the beautiful photos on my Instagram (@pinktutublogger) and visit the Pink Tutu blog at www.pink-tutu.com - I share all my ballet secrets there! 😉
Love, Emma 💖
