Hello darling readers,
Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! This month I’m venturing back in time to the glorious 5th May 1691, where the world of ballet was starting to really take flight – literally, as you'll see! As always, my faithful steed, Magic Meg – a sparkling pink Shire with golden hooves, a white mane like spun silk, and a twinkle in her eye that speaks of untold adventures – is ready for our trip. And of course, I’m resplendent in my favourite pink tutu, this one a delicate tulle with little diamanté butterflies flitting across the hem, oh, the joys of time travelling in style!
This month, we're off to the Royal Court of Louis XIV in Versailles, the centre of all things grand and elegant, particularly when it comes to ballet. My rucksack is brimming with anticipation, ready to capture all the fascinating ballet history and fashion secrets I can find!
The Sun King and His Ballerinas
This particular day in 1691 was a feast for the senses, as Louis XIV, our esteemed "Sun King", was holding a grand court performance of one of his favourite ballets: Les Amours de Vénus. Imagine, darlings, being one of the ballerinas performing in this magnificent work, surrounded by silks and feathers, in the heart of a palace overflowing with grandeur. Now, Louis XIV, he loved a bit of pomp and circumstance – a little too much for my liking! His obsession with ballet inspired a dedicated dance troupe, "The Academie Royale de Danse," made up of the most gifted dancers of the day. And guess what? There were even female dancers, an unprecedented development for that era!
But these ballerinas weren't twirling away like the elegant princesses of today, oh no! They wore a costume that resembles something closer to a pantomime, and while they might have sported beautiful lace and ribbons, the real stars were the men – think boots, high-heeled shoes, and swords, and all the dramatic jumps and turns that we can only dream of. They wore incredibly elaborate, weighty costumes adorned with lace, silks, and feathers. To my delight, they were not wearing corsets - so one small victory there!
The Evolution of Ballet
In this era, ballet was just blossoming, and although a far cry from our elegant contemporary forms, it still held a spark of ingenuity and charm. Think leaps, grand jumps, and the beginnings of more technical movements – just imagine all the brilliant new choreography just starting to emerge in this glorious period of ballet! And to add to the excitement, Louis XIV himself took to the stage in this performance. How’s that for a king who embraced art and movement, eh?!
As I stood by the shimmering gilded railings of the palace, observing the spectacle before me, my heart fluttered. Imagine being one of those court dancers, having the King as your patron – the glamour and the artistic passion! There was a true spirit of excellence surrounding this whole art form back then. The choreography in Les Amours de Vénus, was dramatic and captivating, full of daring steps and even a touch of acrobatics. You could feel the joy of movement, the exuberance of performance, and a dedication to bringing stories to life through dance.
Pink Tutu Paradise!
As you know, dear readers, my quest for world domination with my glorious pink tutus knows no boundaries. The more I travel, the more I realize how important it is for all of us to wear something that expresses our love of movement and art. This ballet, with its dramatic movements and lavish costumes, inspired a new line of tutu design ideas – you can bet those lace trimmings and shimmering sequins will inspire me when I’m back in my little workshop! Oh, I can just picture the most elegant, delicate, blush-pink tutu, perfect for a touch of 1691 royal flair, darling!
I even started dreaming up ideas for an exciting new ballet performance based on the Les Amours de Vénus story. I imagined a fantastical tale with a touch of romantic adventure and a pink, sparkly princess as Venus, the goddess of love, her flowing tulle skirt rippling as she danced – oh, I have the most amazing vision for this, dear readers!
But back to my travels. Now, you’ll have to forgive me, my readers, I couldn’t help myself, I bought myself a delightful vintage brocade fan. This little treasure will find its rightful place in my collection – so much to discover, so much beauty to absorb!
What the World of Ballet Had to Offer in May 1691
Speaking of the beauty of dance, did you know that in this month, an intriguing ballet was set to debut in Paris - Le Triomphe de l'Amour. The world of dance was truly bubbling over with exciting news and grand, ambitious works! Oh, it just makes me want to jump through the ages and get on that stage myself, my darling readers!
Pink Tutu, Magical Meg, and A Time Traveller's Dream
You can't deny that even with all the beautiful and opulent displays from 1691, there is always more to explore, isn't there? As Magic Meg carried me through the lush green gardens and regal courtyards, I had to remind myself – a pink tutu could only truly thrive in a world that embraces modern ballet. So my time in this era was truly one of wonder and a treasured memory, yet it only fuelled my yearning to continue on with my mission of ballet history time travel. I can’t wait to share more adventures with you all!
Till next month, darlings, and don’t forget to keep those pink tutus twinkling!
Warmly,
Emma
xx
