Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, back from another exciting trip through time, this time landing right in the middle of the dazzling year 1696! As always, Magic Meg (my trusty, pink-sparkling Shire horse with hooves of gold!) and I were off on a whirlwind adventure, all for the love of ballet, of course. And let me tell you, this particular journey was simply bursting with delightful surprises.
This month, our time travel took us to none other than London, England. The year was 1696, and it was clear we'd landed in the midst of something truly grand - a royal court! And you know me, I love anything royal and fabulous, especially when it involves a captivating ballet performance!
The Court of Queen Mary II:
We arrived right on the 7th of July, smack-bang in the heart of the festivities for the court of Queen Mary II (who, incidentally, was quite the fashion icon! The ladies in attendance all donned gorgeous gowns adorned with exquisite lace and elaborate ribbons. Talk about a real princess look!). We had the most splendid time touring the bustling city of London. Imagine a city with grand architecture and a lively, vibrant atmosphere! There was even a fabulous performance at the theatre (the predecessor to our modern opera houses, darling!). And you’ll never guess what: the ballet was an absolute hit! The dancers were astonishingly graceful, they wore incredible costumes - all shimmering and magnificent. We’re talking a symphony of movement and colour. It’s safe to say the Royal Ballet was well and truly alive in the 17th century.
Now, while this particular ballet performance didn’t have any tutus, darling - that delightful fashion phenomenon didn't come around until a good while later - it was still a treat! We’re talking elaborate dances, impressive storytelling through movement, and dazzling performances that kept the audience mesmerised. Ballet has a truly timeless allure!
Finding Treasures for the Pink-Tutu Archives:
Of course, with any journey, there has to be some souvenir collecting involved, right? On our trip back in time, my trusty leather rucksack got a new selection of gorgeous memories to bring back to my archives:
- A lovely book of elegant dances (though the movements may seem a tad formal by our standards, it’s certainly beautiful!). It’s filled with little descriptions, illustrations, and, yes, you guessed it, lovely pink illustrations of swirling skirts!
- An exquisite ribbon from a dance costume! It's this fabulous, vibrant pink that's going to make a statement at the next pink tutu event in Derbyshire.
- And, what better keepsake for a ballet enthusiast than a piece of music that actually made its way onto the Royal Court's stage back in 1696?! I was fortunate enough to snag a sheet of musical notation - now that's a real treasure for any true ballerina fan!
Looking Ahead: My Time-Traveling Inspiration:
Being on a grand historical journey like this has certainly ignited my creative flame! The sheer grandeur, elegance, and passion for the arts found in 17th-century England left me yearning to bring back the enchanting atmosphere of that time period. And I think, wouldn't you agree, darlings, that there's no better way to celebrate history than to channel it into a new, absolutely magnificent dance performance? I am already envisioning my next big performance, I’m picturing a ballet showcasing a captivating blend of history and modern flair. I'm picturing delicate pointe shoes adorned with sparkly pink ribbons and perhaps some of the historical costumes reimagined for the modern world!
Now, who’s up for a pink tutu event?! This has given me such fabulous inspiration for my next collection of designs for the pink-tutu.com website - there will be beautiful historical motifs with modern elements, it will be gorgeous!
Remember, darlings, embrace your inner ballerina, find a pink tutu, and step into your very own ballet fantasy. Let your imagination take flight! And don't forget to join me on my time-traveling escapades - the journey’s always more fun with friends, and there's always room for more fabulousness!
Until next time, happy dancing!
Your favourite Pink Tutu Blogger, Emma 🌸🩰
P.S. Did you know that on July 7th 1696 the English Parliament debated the issue of royal succession. I bet Queen Mary II wished she could put on her ballet shoes and waltz around for a bit to calm those nerves. It might have been a lot more relaxing.
