Hey Tutu-lovers! It’s Emma here, ready to take you on another magical journey through time! This month, we're jetting back to March 3rd, 1696, a date brimming with historical charm and, of course, a sprinkling of ballet history. As always, my trusty steed, Magic Meg (yes, a pink sparkling shire with golden hooves, white mane and tail - I just adore pink!) is champing at the bit to whisk us back to the past. We've packed our pinkest tutus (you can never have too many!), a comfy pink travel rug for Meg, and of course, my trusty leather rucksack to collect all the exciting ballet finds along the way!
I’m excited to share that thanks to another fabulous performance in Derbyshire – I debuted a new choreographed number inspired by 18th century fashion, so much fun! – my time-travel fund is healthy. You know how much I love a good performance, and even better, being able to take my adventures to new corners of history!
1696: A Time of Flourishing Elegance
The year 1696 in Europe was a time of exquisite artistry. Imagine, walking the cobblestone streets of London, or the grand avenues of Paris, with elegant men in their powdered wigs and silks, and ladies in flowing gowns, delicately painted and adorned with intricate jewels. The spirit of this era reflects itself in ballet, too!
A Whirlwind Tour of 1696 Ballet:
Though formal ballet as we know it today was still a bit of a twinkle in history's eye, the stage was buzzing with dramatic performances influenced by the courtly dance of the time. Think lavish costumes, dazzling courtly etiquette, and plenty of elegant footwork - it would make even the most discerning dancer impressed.
What’s on in the World of 1696 Ballet?
There are plenty of intriguing shows happening on this day:
- Paris: At the royal palace of Versailles, the prestigious Académie Royale de Danse held its regular performances. Courtly dancers, often royalty themselves, would dazzle audiences with intricate court dance steps and elegant, theatrical displays of courtly behaviour. Imagine the pomp, the beauty of the ladies' gowns! (Yes, a few ladies even dared to wear an early version of the tutu - perhaps not a pink one though!)
- Italy: Over in Italy, ballets were bursting onto the stage with energy and flair! Venice was home to one of the earliest dedicated dance theatres, where Italian ballets featured vibrant costumes, expressive performances, and plenty of acrobatic skills.
- England: Court masques were the rage in England. Combining elements of dancing, singing, and elaborate costumes, these lavish theatrical shows were popular with nobility and high society, a truly grand experience.
Time Traveling Fashion Inspirations:
You can bet I snuck into one of these dazzling 1696 performances - after all, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to see what costumes and trends were making waves in the world of 17th-century ballet! It's all about finding inspiration for new ballet styles and, let's be honest, my next tutu design!
I found so many stunning inspiration ideas for the latest edition of Pink-Tutu's “The Time-Traveling Tutu”, our monthly fashion blog (it’s totally FREE and full of exclusive time travel tips for any budding time-traveling fashionista! Make sure you check it out - it’s always brimming with colour, elegance, and fun. I'm even thinking about including a new series featuring "ballet time-traveling fashion must-haves"!)
In a World Full of Black Swans... We Wear Pink!
Every time I go on a time-traveling adventure, I find a little something that reminds me that wearing pink is never a mistake, especially if you love ballet!
And here's another secret: My latest time travel "catch" (a bit of ballet history for my blog and personal collection, see that fancy leather rucksack?) turned out to be a miniature dancing ballerina doll, in a dainty pink dress, made of wood and hand-painted. What an amazing discovery! I'll post the photos on Pink-Tutu's website next week, you'll love it!
And as always, my friends, let's celebrate everything pink! Don't forget, life's too short to wear just black swans, when you can embrace your inner pink tutu diva!
Love, Emma
P.S: My latest tutu collection will be released next week at www.pink-tutu.com - including designs inspired by 1696 ballet, of course. It will have a brand new, exciting addition - "Time Traveller Tutu"! I just know you're going to love it!
Don’t forget to share your own #pinktutu style inspirations on social media - let’s spread a splash of pink all around the world! You can even post pictures of you in your own pink tutus, and you may even end up on my blog - it's totally happening! 😉
