Hello lovelies! It's your favourite ballerina blogger Emma here, ready to take you on another delightful journey through time with my trusty pink steed, Magic Meg.
August is a truly special month for ballet – it’s a month to celebrate movement, expression, and all things twirling! Today, I'm venturing back to August 8th, 1705, and trust me, darling, this era was ripe with ballet's nascent steps. Think about it – fashion, art, dance – everything was becoming increasingly ornate, refined, and absolutely delightful.
But before I delve into the past, I need to tell you all about this month's dazzling fashion find. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a charming vintage store hidden in a Derbyshire cobbled alleyway last week. Amongst the exquisite gowns and top hats, I found it: a delicate pink tutu with delicate, swirling embellishments. It was made for dancing under the shimmering gaslights, wouldn't you agree? I couldn't resist adding it to my ever-growing collection of pink tutus – after all, wouldn’t you agree that everyone looks their absolute best in pink?
Okay, let’s gallop back to 1705 with Magic Meg! The sun is setting, casting an orange glow over the cobbled streets of Paris, where we’re headed to witness a dance performance, oh, I’m so excited! I'm dressed in a graceful pale pink gown with a matching shawl and a pearl necklace. This, darling, was a time when dance was transitioning from a grand spectacle to something more intimate. I mean, it's all about the finesse, isn’t it?
Now, if you're thinking, "Emma, 1705, you haven't said much about ballet..." well, my darling, this is where the journey gets intriguing. We’re not talking about tutus and leaps yet; we're still in the era of what is called the “Académie Royale de Danse”. Now, you can't talk about French dance without mentioning Louis XIV, our beloved sun king. This king was absolutely obsessed with dance! In 1661, he created this esteemed Academy, setting a standard for classical dance.
What was the Academy like? Picture a magnificent grand hall with elegant dancers moving with a precision and style unmatched at that time. The Academy wasn't just about dance, it was about culture, artistry, and yes, you guessed it – fashion! Ballet, dear reader, was considered a fashionable and high-society art form, with elaborate costumes and graceful movements. It was truly the pinnacle of sophisticated entertainment.
Oh! Speaking of fashion! August 8th 1705 saw a significant fashion shift in Paris. The arrival of ‘Robe à la Francaise' also called the Watteau Pleat, an elegant and grand gown, quickly became a trend, not only in the fashion world but also impacting how ladies of the court danced. This shift from "Robe à la Polonaise", a flowing style, towards the dramatic volume and elaborate designs of the 'Robe à la Française' introduced a more grand and dramatic silhouette, which in turn affected the fluidity and emphasis of the ballet performances. Just imagine how magnificent these courtly ladies must have looked in their exquisitely decorated costumes. I wouldn't mind trying out some of those flowing skirts and ruffles myself. It’s so exciting how fashion intertwines with ballet!
As for the ballet itself at this time? Well, ballet was essentially theatrical entertainment with dances that focused on narrative storytelling. Now, the French at that time, oh, they loved their stories! Can you imagine having an evening where stories and dance interweave to form an incredible narrative, all set against a background of beautiful costumes? It's not hard to see why ballet quickly became the ultimate form of entertainment for the elites, a sophisticated combination of movement, spectacle and story, just brilliant!
So what did our esteemed Academy of Dance teach back then? Well, dear reader, it's more about ballet d’action – ballet of action, or storytelling dance. Imagine, the elegant figures on stage miming scenes and events, all meticulously choreographed! Can you see those elegant movements and beautiful, telling steps? The ballet’s storytelling was focused on emotions and passions, often based on mythological figures, or heroes.
Now, back to August 8th, 1705. Let's step back into my Parisian adventure with Magic Meg. Our horse has taken us to the Salle des Spectacles du Palais-Royal. Imagine this - a ballroom glittering with lights, full of dazzling gentlemen and ladies, all dressed in their most exquisite finery, sipping from delicate crystal goblets. The energy, darling, was electric, as the dancers gracefully moved across the polished floor, with a passion and dedication to storytelling. There was something truly special and romantic in the air, a true essence of the art of dancing and its enchanting power.
I must confess, I felt a twinge of envy for those early dancers. I wish I had lived in their era, experiencing the magical moments, witnessing their passionate interpretations, all in those stunning, historical costumes! It’s quite remarkable how dancing played such an important role in their social lives. Can you picture these ballet performances as the highlight of social gatherings, captivating and entertaining the crème de la crème of Paris?
Sadly, our journey through time is coming to an end, darling. It's time to bid adieu to 1705 and head back to my dear Derbyshire, with a satchel full of enchanting memories, stories, and my own historical fashion discoveries. But I promise you this – we'll return, with more excitement and adventure! Don't forget, I will be back here with my next ballet time travel story in just a month's time.
I love sharing these incredible discoveries and memories with all of you, my beautiful ballet lovers! Until next time, do remember to always wear pink and keep your ballet dreams big and bold!
*Much love, *
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
