Welcome to Pink-Tutu.com, my darling ballet lovers! It's Emma here, your time-traveling tutu-tastic friend, bringing you another glimpse into the captivating world of ballet history. Today, we're waltzing our way back to the 3rd of March, 1673 â buckle up, my lovelies, because we're in for a real treat!
As you know, my love for pink tutus knows no bounds, and today is no exception! My faithful steed, Magic Meg, a stunning shire with a coat like spun sugar, golden hooves, and a magnificent white mane and tail, is pawing impatiently, eager to take us back in time. She's wearing her own tiny pink tutu, just for this special occasion, of course!
With my trusty leather rucksack strapped firmly to my back, I'm ready to gather more ballet treasures from this extraordinary era. It's a journey back to the glittering age of King Louis XIV of France â the Sun King, who practically invented the idea of ballet as we know it today!
(Donât forget, you can find more photos and videos from my ballet adventures on the Pink-Tutu social media channels â we're on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Make sure youâre following us for the latest updates on all my fabulous pink-tutu finds! )
Ballet 1673 â Where Majesty and Movement Meet
March the 3rd, 1673âŠit's a momentous day! Weâre talking grand balls and lavish royal events, and you know me, I just adore a good courtly affair. Picture it, my dears: candlelit chandeliers casting a warm glow over beautifully-dressed guests, the rich scent of perfume and flowers swirling in the air, and the enchanting music of a full orchestra setting the scene. This was the world of French court ballet â an extravagant blend of elegance, artistry, and drama that set the standard for dance across Europe!
Let's delve into the history books: in 1673, Paris was already a buzzing centre of dance. The Paris OpĂ©ra was well established â talk about an opulent venue! But things were just getting exciting. A mere six years prior, the AcadĂ©mie Royale de Danse, the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance, had been established by none other than Louis XIV himself. Talk about making history! This meant that dance was now officially recognised as an art form of the highest order. What a glorious time to be alive for all of us ballet-obsessed gals!
Now, back to our Parisian journey! In the year of our time-travel adventure, a spectacular new ballet premiered at the Court â a stunning production called âLâ Amour MĂ©dicamentâ. * Can you believe they had already perfected this elaborate and fantastical world?* This masterpiece was crafted by the iconic French dance choreographer, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and showcased the remarkable talents of the era's leading dancers â these individuals were, as they say, the ârockstars of balletâ. Their skills were breathtaking and a tribute to the dedication they devoted to their art!
Letâs Imagine Our Own Parisian Ballet
Imagine, my dears, if you could be whisked away on Magic Meg to experience this magical event in 1673. We would arrive at the Palace of Versailles, the most extravagant residence ever imagined, with its sprawling gardens, glistening fountains, and gilded grandeur. The anticipation would build as we made our way to the court's grand theatre - and then we would enter the glittering ballroom.
Oh my, Iâm picturing it right now! The chandeliers sparkle, reflecting the dancing light off of everyoneâs elaborate, lace-adorned gowns and perfectly-tailored costumes. Gentlemen would bow with such grace, their powdered wigs nearly reaching their knees â oh how utterly romantic!
And then, there they would be, the esteemed dancers, in their elegant and highly decorated courtly attire, their bodies moving with such incredible control, precision, and artistry that they would leave us breathless!
The air would be alive with anticipation and awe as the music started, filling the ballroom with a symphony of sound. The ballerinas would move with grace and fluidity, their delicate shoes seeming to float across the wooden floor with magical ease. We would be captivated by their movements, as they told the story of a love potion gone wrong!
The music would swell, a mixture of string instruments and drums. We would witness their impressive jumps and leaps as the ballerinas displayed their extraordinary athleticism. Weâd be charmed by their expressive gestures â they are a world away from our modern interpretations of ballet but every bit as inspiring!
Oh my goodness, can you just imagine? How lucky am I to experience this first-hand, through my travels with Magic Meg! It would be like stepping into a history book, and a rather beautiful and luxurious history book, at that. What an honour!
(Itâs worth noting here, my dears, that my trips into the past are rather discreet, for good reason. Itâs all very exciting and glamorous to waltz back to the 1600s with a sparkling, pink tutu on but a few subtle time-travel tweaks to my look - maybe some gentle âantiquingâ on my make-up or hair - are definitely necessary if Iâm to avoid too many confused glances from these fabulous historical people! )
1673: A Milestone Year for Fashion
You canât talk about a visit to 1673, without a good dose of fashion â and this era is just screaming âgorgeous!â. Everything was elegant, luxurious, and simply stunning! I couldn't imagine having lived in this time!
In my quest for tutu inspiration, I spent some time studying the ladiesâ outfits. The Parisian ladies at this time would be draped in exquisite silks, rich brocades, and opulent velvets. You can almost imagine their attire rustling in the ballroom as they took their place amongst the aristocracy!
Ladies of fashion wore their hair adorned with intricate lace and ribbons, with their necks bedecked with elaborate necklaces of gemstones. A lady wouldn't leave home without a matching set of jewelry to accessorize their outfit - we would have loved it!
Now, as for shoes, theyâd have been impractical for a ballet dancer. Imagine all the silk ribbons and straps that would need to be unwound before every step â no thank you! Thankfully, for ballet in this era, soft ballet slippers were already being designed. *Talk about the start of an exciting journey for tutus! *
The Power of Performance - and Pink!
When I return to the present day, I make sure to donate all my newfound knowledge to the âPink-Tutu Charitable Foundation". The Foundation was my idea. My mission is to bring ballet to the masses.
With funds generated from my dazzling performances in Derbyshire, England â where my ballet school is situated â I am able to support all sorts of worthy ballet causes. We bring free dance workshops and classes to local underprivileged children, fund scholarships, and encourage everyone, from the youngest dancer to the seasoned ballerina, to experience the joy and wonder that is ballet.
Of course, no ballet program would be complete without pink tutus! Through our initiative, we've managed to outfit hundreds of children, teenagers, and young adults in beautiful, bespoke tutus of all shades of pink. The smiles on their faces are my reward, darling, and my lifeâs inspiration! We know that if you can look great, then youâre already half-way to amazing. It's true, isnât it?
Our Pink-Tutu Time Travel Challenge
Iâm feeling inspired! Now that weâve all been on a fabulous time travel adventure, my lovely readers, I want to challenge you. Why donât you plan your own ballet âtime tripâ. Pick a historical date - a famous dancer or ballet performance from the past â and get researching!
It doesnât have to be as epic as my journey - just pick a date, find some details and youâre all set. Maybe it's a visit to a famous ballet academy in London, the beautiful Parisian Opera house, or maybe even the enchanting theatres of New York. Let your imagination fly and enjoy your own ballet explorations!
As for me, well, Magic Meg and I are on the hunt for more ballet history. Join me on my travels! We will keep bringing you the best stories and the latest finds. I promise the tutu adventures never stop at Pink-Tutu!
Until next time, my loves!
Love always, Emma
*www.pink-tutu.com *
P.S. Don't forget to check out our Pink-Tutu shop. We have the most amazing pink tutus â perfect for both professional dancers and beginner ballet enthusiasts! We even have a limited edition collection of "Time-Travelling" tutus â with a dash of historical chic!
