Bonjour mes amies! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad time traveller Emma, ready to take you on a magical journey back to the year 1676, to the magnificent French court. Oh, the grandness! The glamour! The drama!
July is always a special time in the ballet world - it marks the end of summer ballets, and the beginning of the glittering ballet season. We’ve been hopping through ballet history here at pink-tutu.com, catching shows, trying different ballet classes and dancing up a storm, and for July's post we've journeyed back to a magical time, right into the very heart of the French ballet court, a century and a half before the romantic ballet of the late 18th century!
Now, buckle up for the ride – and put on your favourite pink tutu!
I found Magic Meg nibbling on a particularly fragrant rose in the stableyard. The morning air was crisp and sweet, carrying the aroma of jasmine from the Derbyshire village gardens, and the delicious scent of strawberries from the local fruit farms. This freshness made me so excited about our Parisian adventure! We both ate a lovely bowl of creamy porridge before embarking on our trip to 1676 Paris!
Magic Meg was gleaming, her white tail swishing like a cloud as she galloped down the hill. She carried a big straw hat perched jauntily atop her silken white mane and a magnificent raspberry-coloured fringed leather saddle – perfect for ballet time travelling, of course. My big pink-tutu rucksack was already packed – full of special ballet-themed souvenirs from past trips, all awaiting my special new additions.
Oh, it was exciting, I could practically taste the adventure, the French cheese, the wine, and all the sumptuousness waiting for us in 17th Century Paris! Magic Meg knew how to travel – my gorgeous pink steed. She knew that she was carrying a very important cargo today - the stories and experiences I brought back from every time travelling adventure!
As Magic Meg galloped across the fields, I thought about our journey to the year 1676 - a time of political drama and artistic change in the French court, under Louis XIV. Louis, “the Sun King”, had a passion for dance and built an impressive court ballet tradition with intricate sets, extravagant costumes, and elaborate choreography – and I had already been working on some very special new dances inspired by Louis, which were to have a distinctly royal flair. A mix of my personal modern choreography – a touch of French artistry mixed with a dash of English sparkle! The audience loved my latest dances. I think I am getting the hang of all this time travelling!
This was a unique moment in French ballet history – where ballets, court dances, operas, and plays were woven together, becoming a form of dramatic spectacle! It was as if everyone – including royalty – wanted to get involved in this captivating theatrical dance tradition!
Magic Meg landed with a graceful paw on the cobbles outside the palace in Paris - and there we were.
We’d found ourselves within the confines of the Grand Ballet at the Chateau at Fontainebleau, which was Louis XIV’s preferred residence for much of the year. Oh la la - my favorite Chateau! It was opulent – and the French royal court had brought this ballet tradition to a dazzling peak!
It was a heady experience to journey to the court of the Sun King, and feel the incredible influence of Louis XIV - such an influential and stylish figure in European culture! And how we danced! What fabulous ballet costumes, so decadent - we were definitely inspired. We had hours of fun, shopping for our dance performances and visiting the finest perfumers to select just the right scent for a modern dancer’s elegant evening ensemble.
There was such beauty to see, and it inspired me for some truly magnificent dance creations – I've been experimenting with a pink, silk skirt in a pale ballet pink, for my next dance – I plan on adding some stunning black detailing from the very chic, black velvet fabrics I picked up here! I know how much my followers love pink! They're already asking me to do a Pink Tutu Fashion Workshop online!
It all seemed very luxurious compared to my quiet life back home. I really did feel very much a queen of the ballet, a lovely princess wearing the finest couture garments. The fashion back then was a complete contrast to my 21st century attire. It was a more refined aesthetic, full of detail and refined grace! Imagine! A magnificent, high-waisted silk corset cinched tight with black satin ribbons, topped with a delicate white blouse with frilled, pearl embellished edges and ruffles at the wrists, all under a long, flowing velvet skirt with lace trim – elegant yet dramatic - with just a touch of my beloved pink.
In those days, it was not all about long and graceful classical lines – it was so theatrical, more showy than classical. It seemed to me like the dances themselves reflected this sense of extravagant style – the high steps, and impressive poses! The dancing style was more like a stately walk in shoes and it looked more grounded - a dance of power, almost as if the dancers had to demonstrate they were masters of the ground beneath their feet.
It seemed to be about grace and refinement rather than pure dance skills, almost as if they were meant to showcase the dancers more as beautiful court decorations – in exquisite costumes - with elaborate patterns and colors, much more theatrical than modern. I think my little black ballerina shoes were the talk of the ball when we took the floor for a spin!
Oh, what stories we picked up on our French adventures, and what adventures to tell, to my readers at Pink-Tutu.com – it was all so extravagant and glamorous! I think some of it has seeped into my latest dances, and I just know you’ll love them too, dear readers. I’m definitely working on the pink ballerina tutu - in a more modern style! This new dance piece has been bubbling inside me for months - with the Parisian feel and inspiration from 1676, my love for tutus, and my unique ballet creations!
I did bring home some of that 1676 court fashion for you - for a few days only! And don’t forget to check out the Pink Tutu Travel Tips – there are all kinds of little trinkets that could add a French courtly air to your own home! The time traveling dance party has certainly begun – I'll keep you updated on my travels at Pink-Tutu.com every month. And my special pink ballet tutu designs will be available at my Etsy shop!
I know my readers can’t wait for me to share our stories at www.pink-tutu.com - every little bit of adventure, every beautiful garment, every ballet inspiration that I've discovered through our time travels will soon be online for you, my fellow dance-loving souls! I love time travelling – especially for ballet fashion.
And now, it is time to bid you adieu for now. Magic Meg has some ballet costumes to be prepared for tomorrow, when I will be performing at the Derbyshire village hall, dressed in all the latest ballet trends that we have unearthed. There are ballet enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes around England who adore ballet and all its history!
Remember to watch out for those pink tutu adventures. I am working on a new series for those special readers - the “ Pink- Tutu World of Ballet Adventures - A Trip Through Time”. I know it will be popular - we have some real exciting locations up our sleeve! The best way to keep updated is to subscribe to my site and check my blog! It's goodnight and sweet dreams from the little pink-tutu ballerina with the big dream! Until next time - let’s dance!
