Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here! Welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travels - where history comes alive, and every trip is a pirouette into the past! This month, we're waltzing our way back to 1695, specifically to the 7th of July! Let's see what fabulous ballet-related events are on the calendar...
Firstly, I need to confess I'm absolutely in love with my new travelling companion: Magic Meg! This magnificent creature is a pink-sparkling Shire horse with a glorious white mane and tail, golden hooves, and a heart of pure gold! Meg gallops with a grace and speed that could rival a Balanchine pas de deux! She even lets me ride side saddle ā I simply couldn't resist adding a touch of my signature pink sparkle to her tack. Now, where was I? Ah yes! 1695!
Stepping out of the shimmering time portal, I found myself in the heart of Paris. Can you believe that ballet is only a mere 60 years old at this point?! We're still talking about the beginnings of a new art form - not the opulent world of pointe work, intricate sets, and dazzling costumes we know and love today.
Back then, ballets were mainly performed in the courtyards of grand French chateaus, with music played live, and costumes were very elaborate for their time, with feathers, fur and a LOT of brocade. But, darling, the real show-stopper back in 1695 was the Royal Ballet Academy of the Court of Louis XIV - the Sun King himself, a true patron of the arts! I am dying to find out more about this historical establishment!
And where else but at the Royal Academy of the Sun Kingās Court, I could discover a new design element to incorporate into my wardrobe - a feathered hat, all pink, naturally! It's quite fascinating, all this fashion from the past - think flowing panniers and billowing silks! So dramatic and stylish!
With Meg by my side, we are going to set out to Paris, to investigate this royal ballet academy and find some pink ballet-related treasures for my collection. It wouldn't be a true Emma time travel adventure without indulging in a bit of vintage Parisian shopping! Imagine - Parisian silk and brocade? Yes please! And oh darling! The most exquisite Parisian bonbons to savour at a tea salon - the absolute best, I can assure you.
What will I find, you wonder? Could this be the source of my beloved tutu design history? Or maybe a lost script? Perhaps a handwritten note from King Louis himself?
I've tucked away my journal, my leather backpack ready for a full Parisian Ballet adventure!
Oh! I must tell you all about my newest design ā a limited edition collection of my very own Pink Tutu Designs! This new range features the iconic pink feather-trimmed hat ā think a delicate ballet style for today! Available soon - donāt miss it, you simply MUST own this limited-edition gem!
But now I must gallop off and explore Parisian ballet history, darling. See you next month, same time, same place ā but, this time, you'll be seeing Paris! Donāt forget to visit our www.pink-tutu.com website for ballet history, exclusive pink tutus, and ballet news from around the globe.
Until next time, stay fashionable and never forget to dance to your own tune!
XOXO
Emma
P.S. Donāt forget, if you love all things ballet and are dreaming of a time travel adventure with me, why not enter my latest ballet competition for the chance to win a Pink Tutu prize? The contest runs on the 15th of each month. Look out for my "Pink Tutu Spotlight " section on our website. Weāre spotlighting our favourite dancers all around the globe!
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The World of Ballet: July 7th, 1695
The ballet world of 1695 was definitely not like it is today. It was still very much in its formative years. At the time, ballets were generally shorter works performed primarily as entertainment within courts and lavish events. You could say they were like grand musical dance events designed to impress.
Now, letās step into the past and journey back into the Court of Louis XIV. This absolute monarch, obsessed with all things magnificent and glorious, made ballet a centerpiece of his court. Ballet wasn't just a dance form in 1695 - it was a symbol of power, an artistic expression of his grandeur, and a chance to celebrate his love for art. He was a dancer himself in his youth - it's not a surprise that heās also the patron saint of Ballet! His name is forever engraved in the ballet world - a true historical Ballet icon.
Louis XIV also established the Academy Royale de Danse, which eventually transformed into the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the worldās oldest and most renowned ballet institutions. Can you imagine - what fabulous productions would have graced the Courtās stages! Sadly, I have no access to historical film - but perhaps I'll manage to find an exquisite handwritten journal.
The ballets performed were quite elaborate with a heavy emphasis on courtly etiquette and social grace. There were themes of mythical heroes, and a whole suite of intricate costumes ā very similar to what I have discovered in my time travels! I must admit, Iām really excited to dig into these elements! I even have my Pink Tutu design journal ready for some fresh inspirations! I just have a feeling that I might discover some spectacular trends for our new range of Pink Tutus and Accessories!
As we look at the history of ballet, we have the Sun King, a pivotal figure who transformed it from a court entertainment into an esteemed art form. Even the ballet terminologies - you know - those French words! - are linked to this era, such as:
- Ballet, BourrĆ©e, Pirouette , and even Pas de Deux, Pas de Quatre and Pas de Bouree, which mean: Dance of Two, Dance of Four and Dance of Step respectively, all beautiful and stylish - and Iāll be using them a lot in my new blog series "Pink Tutu Fashion and Terminology " so stay tuned.
Ballet in the world: While the French were a key driver in Ballet's development in 1695, weāre also looking at what else was happening around the world!
Across Europe: Italian ballets continued to influence, with ballet techniques being refined by choreographers like Giovanni Ambrosio and Francesco Cavalli - you'll often find them credited in ballet histories. Italians loved to showcase their unique stage design and costumes, and with that they influenced the development of the whole ballet community, with French ballet quickly picking up these design cues.
In England: While a little behind France, England started making its mark in Ballet. The earliest forms of ballet-inspired performances appeared in courtly pageants which had more theatrical roots, and included elaborate costume and musical entertainment.
It was an exciting period to be alive for Ballet and a crucial stepping stone in the development of our beloved dance form today!
I hope you enjoyed our Pink Tutu time travel adventure today, darlings! Until next month! XOXO
If you enjoyed this time travel, here are some further readings for you:
āLouis XIV and The Origins of Balletā by David H. Bates
ā Ballet : An Illustrated Historyā By Judith Mackrell
Please join our community and chat to our pink tutu time travellers at www.pink-tutu.com, I would love to hear from you all !
