Hey loves! It's Emma here, and guess what? This month, Magic Meg and I are taking you back to July 7th, 1681, for a little dance through the glittering courts of Europe! I'm already giddy, and it's not even sunrise yet! Imagine: sparkling gowns, elegant dance parties, and a taste of ballet's earliest beginnings! Get your pink tutus ready, darlings, we're off!
(Disclaimer: I may or may not have a little something special planned for this trip - a surprise for you lovelies - but we'll get to that later! Keep your eyes peeled!💖)
I've been bubbling with excitement for this trip for weeks, because 1681 was a monumental year for ballet! Can you believe, my lovelies, that ballet, our darling form of art, was barely a century old back then? Yet, it was already making a huge impact on the European courts, becoming the talk of the town.
So, picture this: we're in a beautiful village in Derbyshire, the dawn light illuminating the cobblestones, and Magic Meg is champing at the bit. We both are eager to get to 1681. You know how much I love history, and 1681 is a rich year for the arts!
My beautiful pink tutu feels light as air on my back, the shimmering tulle practically buzzing with anticipation for this magical adventure. You know, it's times like these when I feel a little pinch of envy for all those fabulous 17th-century ballerinas. Just imagine twirling under the gaze of King Louis XIV! Talk about a grand audience! Speaking of the King Sun, guess what was hot in the world of ballet back then?
(Hint: It had everything to do with Versailles. Can you guess?)
I'll give you a little clue: the King himself! *(Don't worry, lovelies, I'll explain everything in a minute!💖) * This wasn't your typical dance form either. Forget leaps and pirouettes; this ballet was a grand spectacle, with elaborately staged costumes and intricate dance patterns inspired by mythological themes and royal dramas.
Of course, back in 1681, there was no "pink tutu" craze! These elegant ladies favoured beautiful court gowns - long, graceful, and perfect for their graceful movements. Their colours? Think rich velvet, silks woven with gold thread, and exquisite laces.
However, let's get creative, darlings! I've got my vision for the future of ballet. The ladies of the French court just needed to add a touch of that "Emma Flair." You see, a little bit of pink can make any outfit - and any dance! - oh-so- much more special, right? Just imagine a touch of pale rose-pink peeking through the rich fabrics - perhaps a delicately tied ribbon, a touch of lace on the bodice. Imagine those vibrant dance sequences punctuated with dazzling pink sashes. It would simply add such joy and vivacity to their movement!
You know, I'm going to be so bold: I believe my pink-tutu revolution started way back then!
Speaking of revolution, imagine seeing this incredible ballet on the stage! They called it *"Le Ballet des Esprits" in France and it was a spectacle beyond imagination, lovelies! I'll be writing a whole separate blog post on the show later, but just to whet your appetite: think grand allemande dances, beautiful costumes that were like living paintings, and all the romance, drama, and enchantment you can imagine!
For now, though, let me introduce you to my favourite dancer: the magnificent Monsieur Beauchamp! Oh, how I would have loved to be a dancer in the Court of King Louis! Imagine him: noble, athletic, and, naturally, dressed to the nines. They said his dances were full of grace and wit. And you know what they say... if the men can move so elegantly in such grand attire, the ladies have *no excuse, my loves!*
Now, what does your stylish blogger have in store for her adventures in 1681? Well, let me tell you - there are all sorts of exciting things to be discovered, and you, my dears, will be privy to every single one!
First up, shopping for fabric, naturally! How could we resist all the glorious silks and satins at the Parisian market stalls? Imagine the sheer joy of choosing materials to create my own pink vision of the perfect ballet gown!
Then, we're heading to the ballet - I'm getting butterflies just thinking about it! We'll see those glorious costumes for ourselves! We’ll get a taste of that beautiful artistry from a hundred years ago! I can't wait!
Of course, a visit to the palace for a glimpse of the Court's dancing* will be on our itinerary. I can already see the refined ladies and gentleman gracefully moving in ballroom dances and interlacing their steps, maybe even a touch of French Polonaise?
You see, it’s important, lovelies, that ballet keeps moving and evolving - always in touch with its history but also open to the new and exciting to keep its magic alive.
Just imagine: my pink tutu gliding through the magnificent halls of Versailles... *Oh, what a sight that would be! *
(Remember I told you to watch out for a surprise? Well, get this, lovelies: my brilliant idea - to bring the pink-tutu revolution to the 1681 Court!*
Stay tuned, because I'm going to show you how it all unfolded… and hopefully, I didn't completely ruffle any feathers in the palace, lovelies!
Oh, and I mustn't forget… all my magical ballet history trinkets! We've found an incredible little antique shop in a charming town square - I picked up the most stunning *rose pink silk ribbon with delicate lace edges - oh, my darling, the possibilities for my pink-tutu creations just got so much bigger!
(Not to mention, this silk ribbon has an intriguing story attached to it! Imagine, darling - the lady who bought this ribbon nearly three hundred years ago might even have used it to fashion her own costume!)
We'll be going on more time travel adventures next month! In the meantime, don't forget to check our next *ballet show, *my dears! * This is Emma signing out. Remember, lovelies: always embrace your inner ballet star!
And don't forget to visit pink-tutu.com! See you all soon!
x Emma
