Hello, my lovelies!
Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your monthly dose of ballet bliss, history, and of course, a dash of pink!
February always feels like a time for fresh starts, don’t you think? That’s why I’ve decided to jump right back into time travel!
This month, my faithful steed, Magic Meg, a sparkling pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail (can you believe her magnificence? ), has whisked me back to a truly enchanting era - the 17th century, on 2nd February 1695 to be exact.
Why 1695?
You ask! Well, it was a significant year in the history of ballet! The year in which Les Fêtes Galantes premiered at the French Court. A lavish and spectacular spectacle with intricate choreography, colourful costumes, and extravagant sets, this ballet captivated audiences and pushed the boundaries of theatrical storytelling! Now that was what I call a good show!
Cue the pink sparkles, lovelies, we’re diving deep into this fabulous ballet adventure
Magic Meg gracefully navigated the cobbled streets of Paris, my leather rucksack filled with notebooks, pencils, and my very best pink tulle tutu ready to add a bit of je ne sais quoi to every century!
Can you imagine? Paris in 1695, a symphony of elegant ladies, dashing gentlemen, and the hum of ballet’s influence at the heart of it all. This era truly captures the essence of dance’s charm. I just knew I needed to find out more!
From the moment we stepped out of our time-traveling portal, the energy was electric! I practically waltzed into the heart of Parisian high society - everyone was abuzz about Les Fêtes Galantes.
I quickly learned that this was more than just a show . It was an extravagant celebration of the French nobility's prowess. An expression of their wealth and the refined beauty they saw in art and entertainment - all the things a fellow ballet enthusiast can appreciate, wouldn't you agree?
Speaking of appreciation - My heart almost stopped as I walked into the performance space of Les Fêtes Galantes. Can you imagine the thrill of seeing the history of dance unfolding before my eyes?
It was beyond magical! The costumes were resplendent in shimmering silks and opulent satins! It made me want to run to the nearest shop and buy enough tulle to create my own costume - all pink, naturally!
During my time-traveling adventure, I learned so much about the evolution of ballet as a storytelling medium, about how it transitioned from being a courtly spectacle into the beloved art form it is today! It made me want to jump onto the stage and join in, twirling amongst the other dancers in my pink tutu!
I was a little apprehensive about fashion in the 17th century, but let me tell you - there's something quite chic about the elegance and simplicity of the women's clothing.
My backpack is bursting with notes about it, darling!
And I couldn't help but incorporate a touch of pink to add some 21st-century sparkle to the 17th-century style!
I'm also thinking I need to do some more research about the pink of the era. I wouldn't be surprised if they used it more widely than we think!
Now, let's get to what you've been waiting for - the ballet tidbits I’ve picked up on my travels!
*My dearest ballet fans! * Get ready for some amazing history you may not even know about:
Louis XIV - Now we've all heard about him, right? But let me tell you, he was obsessed with ballet and he was incredibly generous in supporting its development! Did you know he even took to the stage himself in his youth!* Can you imagine him strutting his stuff in a costume? Honestly, I wouldn't want to miss seeing *that show!
*From my perspective, this made a massive difference! * * It not only secured ballet's standing as an important part of French culture but also led to a period of immense creativity and artistic exploration that is still felt today!
Okay, let's delve a bit deeper into the performance, shall we?
*Firstly,* I discovered the sheer artistry that goes into creating something like Les Fêtes Galantes. Not only were the dance moves graceful and elegant, but they also expressed stories through movement! * Now *that's something we still enjoy in contemporary ballet! * This is a legacy I want to be a part of! * * * *And don't even get me started on *the music! I just adored the Baroque style. Its richness and elegance matched the graceful flow of the movements perfectly. My feet are already twitching just thinking about it! **
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, I had an amazing surprise!
During my exploration of the Paris of 1695, I stumbled upon a small, hidden atelier of a famous Parisian costume maker - he created some of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring, opulent, and simply stunning costumes for the French court, you wouldn't believe it!
As you might guess , he just happened to have some scraps of tulle laying around… *a most magnificent *pink shade that shimmered under the Parisian sun! The very colour of dreams, my dear.
Now this is something even a history buff like me had to grab! *Think of what I can learn from *it! * *Can you just picture it? The exquisite fabrics and design from that era, mixed with my 21st-century fashion knowledge and a healthy dash of *pink! *
You know me! * It's time to think ahead to my next collection - one filled with *pink tulle from 1695 in a spectacular array of ballet-inspired creations! Wait, dear reader , *I *think you need a picture. * *Maybe we should have Magic Meg deliver my latest ballet time-travel fashion post on Friday? **
This has got to be the most inspiring adventure of my time travel blogs so far. Just think of the possibilities for *ballet history and *ballet fashion . * The next time I come back from a time travel adventure, I *may even incorporate the historical design elements with a touch of 21st-century inspiration for an exclusive, limited edition collection - available only to you, my beloved readers!*
Stay tuned to the *Pink Tutu website, darling! Let me know what you think! Will you come with me on my next time-traveling journey?
*Don’t forget - * *wear your pink tutu with pride! * *And of course, always follow me on my journey, www.pink-tutu.com!
Until next time,
With love and glitter,
*Emma * *
And as always - thank you to Magic Meg and her amazing golden hooves!
