Hello my gorgeous ballet-loving beauties! It’s your girl Emma here, back with another time travel escapade for you all! This month we're taking a little trip back to 1684, the year that saw King Charles II making a triumphant return to London, a ballet sensation at the Paris Opéra, and of course, lots of exciting developments in the world of ballet fashion. Oh my goodness, it’s all so pink and fabulous! Let’s get this blog hop-a-t-t-ing, shall we?
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My magic Meg (remember her? My stunning pink sparkling Shire horse with the golden hooves? Pure dreamboat!) and I touched down in a bustling, joyous London on 6th June 1684. Imagine, a real royal coronation to be witnessed! It was exhilarating. There was the most wonderful energy and joy, a buzz that’s hard to explain. People were wearing their finest clothes, and even if we were transported into the past, it's safe to say that pink was very much "in"! You could spot hints of blush hues everywhere, from silk petticoats to the intricate floral embroidery on the men's shirts.
After we witnessed the grand parade (did you know the coronation was a massive three-day event!), I couldn’t wait to see a show. That’s what I do, right? Dance and all things dance. But, we didn’t quite land smack bang in the middle of the stage like my last escapade in 1934. This time we took a slow ride through the bustling streets to the theatres. Imagine a whole world without a TV, no streaming service! If you wanted entertainment, you had to actually go to a show! The main attraction? Theatre and opera, of course, but ballet wasn’t that far behind. It's fascinating how the dance world in this era was such a mix. Imagine, graceful ballet alongside hilarious street performances. The French were absolutely at the top of their game back then with ballets at the Opéra that captivated the whole country! Their dance was graceful, refined, and utterly enchanting. Imagine my delight!
And then there was the fashion, oh my goodness, the fashion! Imagine the ballroom dresses ladies were rocking back then! These intricate concoctions were like wearable art, each a perfect blend of soft flowing fabrics and meticulously-designed boned corsets. I was mesmerised. Even if a bit restricted! And don't even get me started on the wigs. Think bouffant meets beautiful curls in an amazing colour extravaganza. Every single lady was adorned with extravagant, elaborate gowns in pastel shades, which would make a modern-day princess green with envy. If my own Pink Tutu wardrobe had ever needed an inspiration, it would be those fabulous 17th century designs.
During my trip, I went on an actual shopping spree! Imagine me, scouring the bustling markets for antique pieces and rare ballet shoes from back then! A lucky find? A pair of the tiniest silk ballet shoes with hand-stitched floral patterns, like tiny edible bonbons! So tiny you could easily lose them! Thankfully, I was prepared! I have this massive leather rucksack, that I bring along for these ballet adventures. Just for treasures like this! It’s also crammed full of journals and sketches detailing what life was like for the dancers and how ballet had transformed over the years.
For this trip, my trusty leather rucksack was chock-a-block full of delightful delights from 1684. Just imagine! This was my find: a collection of beautifully engraved, ornate combs and hairpins used for decorating the elaborate hairpieces worn by the era’s leading ballerinas. Not only that, there are pages of meticulously recorded sketches and descriptions of the elaborate theatrical costumes for the famous Ballet of the Royal Opera in Paris that were just amazingly complex and intricate! Oh and there were these amazing handwritten accounts from a ballet troupe who had travelled across Europe – from London to Vienna and everything in between! It’s an incredible insight into the history of dance and just shows how the whole world is so much smaller, connected by dance.
My mission, as always, is to share the stories and beauty of ballet history. But I'm also hoping to spread a little pink tutu love as we go. So how can you join in, I hear you asking? You'll just have to take a peek at my blog next month! Just wait!
Until next time my gorgeous, dance-loving, pink tutu lovers! 💖
Emma x
(This is part 1 of the blog post, stay tuned for part 2 with an interview with the King of Fashion in 1684!)
