Oh my darlings,
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! I'm Emma, your pink tutu-clad time travelling ballerina, and I'm absolutely buzzing to share another month's adventures with you all! It's a very special post this month as I am exploring an absolutely iconic date in ballet history, 4th April 1687, marking the opening of the Académie Royale de Danse.
I'm writing from the bustling heart of Paris, having galloped here on Magic Meg, my glorious pink, sparkling shire horse with the most beautiful golden hooves and a snowy white mane and tail! If you ask me, Meg's the real reason why my travels are so successful; she’s got an intuition about ballet history that surpasses even my own! We left Derbyshire in the early morning, the crisp air tingling with the promise of exciting new ballet discoveries.
My trusty leather rucksack is packed with enough pink tulle to make a queen's ball blush, ready for a whole new wave of inspiring items and stories! I've already secured a precious, tiny leather dance shoe, with delicate ribbons - a delightful reminder of how fashion evolved and blended into this captivating art form. It's tucked away safe with all my other finds – imagine a tiny book on ballet, penned in 1710 by a leading ballet master! Such a privilege to hold a part of history!
Speaking of the 4th April, 1687 – well, imagine the buzz in Paris, as the French Academy of Dance (the "Académie Royale de Danse") officially opened its doors! Think of all those brilliant minds coming together – from Louis XIV himself, the grand patron of ballet, to the famous dancers of the era. It felt like a real pivotal moment for ballet, marking the beginning of a new era in France. This wasn’t just any academy - it became the defining space for dance development in the French kingdom, establishing codified techniques, standards, and vocabulary that would reverberate through generations of dancers!
Royal Ballerinas and a World of Pink
It felt strange stepping back into a time when dance was firmly entrenched in the realm of the royal court. Ballet was practically synonymous with Louis XIV, who is hailed as the 'Sun King'. You’ve probably seen those gorgeous portraits of him – adorned in decadent velvet, silks, and exquisite feathers – so elegantly graceful! Louis XIV himself was a passionate dancer and he played a pivotal role in raising the status of ballet to unprecedented levels. Imagine him attending performances at the grand Palais Royal in his bejeweled boots, shimmering silk, and elaborate plumes – every outfit an art piece! His own ballet company, the Ballet du Roy, was known for its magnificence and its highly skilled dancers.
Speaking of royal, this royal family's passion for ballet was quite a sight! Even his wife, Marie Theresa, would don the elaborate attire, dance, and be adorned with dazzling gemstones in exquisite ballets. Even their youngest son, the Duke of Anjou, graced the stage – you know how they say that ballet truly is for everyone! It felt a bit surreal to be surrounded by so much elegance, but then I remembered how we all have the power to dress up in pink tutus, channeling our inner 'royal' ballerina, wouldn’t you say?!
Dance for All
Oh darling, I can't even imagine a world without a good dose of pink! But did you know that this era’s ballet was, initially, a predominantly masculine world! It was a little difficult to picture, but you know me - I like to find the silver linings and the ‘pink’ in everything. While the male dancers took center stage, women would take on supporting roles, adding a touch of delicate beauty and charm. But in this time, the choreography involved elaborate poses, complex leaps, and elegant footwork, and while some of the dance moves were a bit more extravagant, they provided such a dramatic canvas!
Fashion Finds for My Tutu-Loving Flock
Imagine, dear ones, that all those dancers were graced with opulent outfits: velvets and silks of the most extravagant hues and richly embellished with sparkling stones and ornate embroidery! I have found an array of dazzling brocades, silken ribbons, and shimmering fabrics - so inspired! This trip will no doubt be a big inspiration for a new range of ballet-inspired tutu designs!
Seeing the Shows: A Delightful Dive into 17th Century Ballet
Of course, a trip back to 17th-century Paris would be incomplete without taking in a ballet! My Meg loves ballet as much as I do and whisked us into the Palais Royal to witness an incredible spectacle - "Le Triomphe de l’Amour".
It's all so romantic and dramatic – think grand scenery depicting romantic forests, dazzling lights that illuminate the opulent court and of course – a multitude of elegant figures gracefully waltzing on stage in intricately adorned outfits! Such beautiful dances with intricate steps that have become timeless in the ballet lexicon. The dancers have an elegance and poise that really brought back memories of a world long gone. The whole thing reminded me how beautiful the connections are between different eras and how it’s through exploring history we come to better understand ourselves. Oh how I love discovering the hidden stories of ballet, and sharing them with you, my dear fellow pink-tutu aficionados!
As always, I'm on a mission to bring more pink into the world and spark a passion for all things ballet in every heart and every home. Until next month, my darlings!
See you all soon and please don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to learn more and maybe join me in this dazzling journey into the ballet time-traveling adventures!
Keep sparkling!
Your Emma. xx
