Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where history meets haute couture and time travel is just another Tuesday. It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler, and I'm so excited to share another one of my extraordinary adventures with you. Today, we're taking a leap back in time to 8th August, 1696! Buckle up, loves, because this trip is going to be full of historical insights and, of course, a sprinkle of ballet magic!
This month, Magic Meg, my darling pink shire horse, has brought us all the way back to 17th-century England! She truly is the most amazing horse; with her sparkling pink coat, golden hooves, and that glorious white mane and tail, she looks like a dream come true. And when we set off on our time travel adventures, she shines like a magnificent celestial creature under the stars. I wouldnāt be surprised if Megās dazzling appearance makes people forget the old myth that pink isn't a strong enough colour for a powerful animal! I find this amusing, as she's as strong and noble as any black horse, yet I much prefer the pink shade for her majestic coat! I have the most exquisite saddle in the world to match, hand stitched and decorated with tiny pearls and a rose design to reflect our own passion for all things delicate and pink!
With the air fresh from the moors in my face and Megās elegant, graceful trotting beneath me, the time journey began, taking us away from my Derbyshire home. My backpack, full of vintage finds from our time-hopping exploits, was securely strapped onto my back, and I had my pink-feathered quill and inkpot ready to capture all the fascinating snippets of history we found. As always, my eye was always searching for elements that connected to our love of dance.
So what happened in the ballet world on this particular date in history, back in the late 1690s? Well, my dear readers, ballet in the mid to late 17th century wasnāt as we know it today! Ballet was more akin to a spectacle performed in courts and on special occasions for dignitaries and royalty, featuring theatrical elements and elegant, stylised gestures. They even called the dancing ācourt dancingā, or the ādance of the nobleā, and these ballets had little in common with the structured artistry that developed centuries later!
Interestingly, while there werenāt actual professional ballet companies on 8th August, 1696, one could witness ācourt dancingā performances taking place all around Europe, not only at court. These court ballets would have involved impressive costumes and props and were intended to impress and enthrall the audiences, highlighting their knowledge of classical literature and history.
Imagine a beautiful stately home filled with music, laughter, and the shimmering movements of courtiers dressed in their most flamboyant costumes! If Iām being truly honest, dear readers, I wouldnāt be caught dead in the restrictive attire those women had to wear in 1696. We, on the other hand, will continue to have so much fun exploring and getting a peek into the past with a delightful mix of fashion, dance, and time travel, and we always keep my pink tutu stylish!
But that doesnāt mean it isnāt interesting to see how things evolve! While these ācourt balletsā might seem tame to us today, we must acknowledge how this type of spectacle paved the way for what would eventually be the beautiful art form we have come to know and love today.
Speaking of evolving, while the world was getting into a frenzy about the French ballet company Les Petits-Ballet, our friends in England had their own ways to enjoy dance. You can imagine that during this period, dancers would be more often found on the streets or performing for noble families at home than on stage in huge, formal theatres, where theyād often use very small spaces! These smaller, more intimate ballets were what really encouraged the artistic talents of individuals. Thatās exactly the kind of creative energy that inspires me to keep promoting the magical, vibrant power of pink and dancing in my life, which you can see for yourselves if you take a peek at my dance routine for this blog, as this performance is helping to fund my next time travel escapade!
After all, if those ācourt dancersā could impress an audience in a space smaller than my shoe, we should be able to make some magic in a theatre! Thatās where you lovely lot can join us in my dance routine - the steps are simple to learn, so no matter what level you are at with ballet, everyone can join!
And whatās even more magical? We can share our pink-tutu spirit! We are about making the world a more glamorous and uplifting place. The key? Pink tutus! The only fashion rule for me is that every time a lady has a chance to wear a pink tutu she should grab the opportunity with both hands, darling, because wearing a tutu in pink is simply delightful. If that makes me seem a little āout thereā then, my dear readers, itās perfectly fine to get a little wild with me because I have a whole new series of tips on my blog that explain how pink tutus can brighten your day!
Iāll leave you all now as I have to go get ready for a special āCourt Dancingā style performance tonight in a stunning ball gown. My costume has feathers, beautiful lace details, and the whole ensemble is absolutely exquisite and it's been custom designed to include lots of pretty, sparkling pink - how fabulous! Just as soon as I get back, Iāll be sure to upload photos for my blog and, of course, more from my fabulous time travel adventures, including where Meg took me to meet this magnificent horse named Pegasus in a medieval French castleā¦ Oh my! Youāre going to love that story! Until then, my loves, be sure to get yourselves those pink tutus and dance!
