Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! This month, we're whisking back to a date in history which just SCREAMS "pink tutu opportunity!" We're hopping aboard my lovely, magical Meg - a shimmering pink Shire with golden hooves - and galloping straight into 3rd March, 1701.
Now, I know what you're thinking: 1701? That's, like, way before tutus were a thing! And you'd be right, darling. Back then, the world of dance was all about the minuet, and those grand courtly ball gowns with layers and layers of petticoats.
But listen closely, dear readers because this trip isn't about what wasn't happening in the ballet world - it's about the foundation, the exciting potential, of a beautiful future we all know and love.
This 3rd of March, 1701, marked the birth of one of ballet's most beloved and iconic figures, Jean-Georges Noverre. He wasn't born into a glittering, perfumed theatre space. Instead, he arrived in a quiet village in France.
Now, darling, can you imagine - a baby Jean-Georges Noverre?! Such potential, don't you think? His little tiny fingers, already yearning to dance, already dreaming of choreographing exquisite movements that would one day capture hearts and inspire generations!
It would be nearly 50 years before Noverre would grace the world with his genius, but 3rd March, 1701, was a monumental day for ballet, a seed planted which blossomed into a brilliant, pink-hued, fabulous dance tree.
This was also the very same year - gasp! - that our own beloved English ballet was really taking shape. Now, don't worry my dear Derbyshire loves, we're still not ready to pack in those Derbyshire cream teas just yet, we're merely peering back through the historical veil at a moment where the foundations were being laid for the incredible ballet world we get to experience today!
But back to our darling Jean-Georges. A true revolution was just around the corner. He would challenge the stiff formality of the traditional ballet and inspire a revolution in movement - more fluid, more dramatic, more emotional. Imagine, my darlings, the excitement in the air!
Can't you see him, dancing, maybe even in a pink-tinged costume with silk ribbons trailing around his ankles - although he didn't actually dance in a pink tutu because it was the 18th century, dear readers. Still, a girl can dream, can't she?!
He would lead the way with his own ballet company, introducing his innovative, captivating performances, and ultimately, he would pave the way for all those lovely tutus, leaps, and captivating dance moments we see and cherish today. Isn't it incredible to see just how a seemingly tiny seed, like a young Jean-Georges Noverre, could blossom into such magnificent flower of ballet history?
We also discovered on this journey that in the world of fashion back then - imagine, dear readers - pink was actually seen as quite an unusual colour! It was considered a little too delicate for serious people, which of course, I find absolutely hilarious. My darlings, we must prove to those early-1700s folk that pink is most definitely not for wimps, and is the most elegant, magical and expressive shade.
In fact, to celebrate our 1701 visit, I've started adding to my Ballet Archive a collection of the most exquisite pink ribbons, and even a beautiful pink feather, a gift from an artist in our travels! Maybe next time, we'll discover some historical inspiration for pink ballet costumes!
On my trip back from 1701, I'm stopping by a London theatre - which, unlike today, only really had one major theatre in those times! It's a bit more low key than my favourite West End Theatre shows these days, but they'll have their own captivating ballet world, so keep a look out for some upcoming posts featuring some backstage glimpses and secrets!
And don't forget, my darlings! Make sure you follow me on pink-tutu.com - and of course, join my ballet classes every Wednesday evening. We're all about those dazzling leaps and captivating pirouettes. It's my aim, you see, to have the entire world twirling and smiling in a beautiful pink tutu. After all, isn't pink the colour of magic, the colour of ballet, the colour of every wonderful dream and delightful dance?
Until next time, my darling loves! Don't forget to dream pink and dance your heart out.
Lots of pink and glitter, Emma xo
