Hello fellow ballet enthusiasts, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet! It’s Emma here, your time-travelling tutu-wearing correspondent, ready to take you on another whirlwind tour of ballet history. This month, we’re skipping over to Paris on July 7th, 1713, just in time to witness a veritable explosion of theatrical brilliance, and I promise you, my lovelies, you’ll want to jot down a few notes for your future costume creations!
The year is 1713. Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, has just kicked the bucket, and his young successor Louis XV is still finding his feet, both figuratively and literally, with the reins of power. But you know what else is flourishing, right under our perfectly pink tutus? Ballet! Paris, darling, is THE place to be for any budding ballerina – and luckily for me, Magic Meg, my fabulous pink shire horse, with those gleaming golden hooves and her beautiful white mane and tail, gallops faster than any train, so I'm able to pop over with barely any effort!
As I land in the cobbled square outside the Opera Garnier (which, of course, doesn't exist yet, but hey, what’s a little architectural misdirection among friends, right?), I can already feel the excitement crackling in the air, practically radiating from the cobblestones themselves. The whole city feels positively fizzy with anticipation. And I’m not just talking about the freshly baked baguettes; it's all thanks to a groundbreaking ballet spectacle, the ‘Ballet Royal de la Princesse d’Epinay,’ which is about to grace the stages of the city! This, darling, is the event everyone is buzzing about.
Let's talk about the spectacle, my darlings. This ballet is everything the heart desires – an intricately crafted blend of dance, music, costume, and dramatic storytelling. I was captivated, utterly spellbound by the sheer artistry, from the intricate steps of the elegant dancers, their swirling skirts a vision in lace and velvet, to the beautifully embellished stage sets. Oh, the colours, the sparkle! Think gilded frames, lush tapestry tapestries, all adorned with glittering sequins. We're talking serious "oh-la-la!" level extravagance!
Now, my darlings, let’s delve a little deeper into the specifics. You know I love me a bit of detail when it comes to ballet, and this show is no exception! Imagine intricate stage designs, magnificent backdrops, and a cast of exquisitely talented performers. What I saw was simply dazzling. The choreography was quite intricate for its time, incorporating graceful movements and complex formations. The music, oh, it swept me away! An eclectic blend of grand baroque and vivacious melodies – just the sort of thing to inspire any ballerina!
Of course, I've already got a detailed sketch of a new ballet outfit, based on what I've seen – an absolutely breathtaking gown of midnight blue, trimmed with gold ribbon and embellished with tiny silver stars. But what really got my heart beating, was this show’s innovative costume design. It wasn’t just the colours, a kaleidoscope of pinks and purples and fiery oranges, but it was the details – the ruffles and bows and sparkling embellishments. This production pushed the boundaries of what ballet costumes could be. It's like someone went completely overboard with the concept of "over-the-top" – which is definitely not something I can fault, especially if you're a pink-loving ballerina like me! It’s this kind of creative flair and audacious artistry that makes 1713 Paris an absolute joy to visit, if you're lucky enough to have a time-travelling pink shire horse at your disposal. And believe me, my darlings, with these costume ideas and dance styles influencing the rest of Europe, Paris was indeed the hub of ballet, a swirling vortex of beauty and creativity.
Now, since you've got my fabulous tutus in mind, I wouldn't dare leave you without some sartorial inspiration, darling. 1713 saw ballet taking centre stage with some rather spectacular costumes. The fabric of choice for the ballerinas back then was sumptuous silk and velvet, the richer, the better. And I’m talking voluminous layers, long trailing skirts, and gowns that billowed like clouds of shimmering delight. All of that was then accessorized with intricately embroidered bodices, ribbons, and feather plumes, all crafted to accentuate their movements and draw the eye towards their flowing dance.
I have to admit, I fell in love with the ornate bodices – with those intricately embroidered bodices covered with elaborate ribbons and shimmering sequins. I know you love it, because, trust me, if I think it’s amazing, everyone else will adore it too. So what should I make next? Maybe a velvet, emerald green tunic, adorned with sparkly gold ribbon. And oh my, the ruffles. How could we forget the ruffles? Those little, frilly things were all the rage in the era, cascading down from the waist in waves of vibrant silks and satins. We definitely need a pink and green ombre version with a glittery tulle train and the obligatory fluffy feather headdress to match.
And let’s not forget those iconic powdered wigs. You know, we all know about the elegant powdered hair that women would carefully sculpt. It was just SO much more than just a hairdo. It was an elaborate hairstyle that represented social status and added an extra dimension of theatre to ballet, my darling. Can you imagine dancing under those chandeliers with such beautifully elaborate hair pieces on, your gown swirling about your ankles as you took a bow!
I managed to scoop up an actual embroidered feather boa for my collection - can you imagine, so unbelievably stylish - I thought I was on a catwalk in Paris!
Before we travel to the next ballet wonderland, we need to discuss what I find the most significant thing I gleaned about ballet back in 1713. There was such a dedication and passion in this ballet world in Paris back then, so focused on innovation and pushing those boundaries of artistic excellence. We should be reminded today about how the dancers used to train rigorously for hours on end, just for one glorious performance. The devotion to perfection, it's incredible! Their dedication is definitely something we should embrace and carry on, for even with all our new gadgets, ballet remains a pure and challenging art form that demands constant dedication.
Now, if you’re looking to experience this “Golden Age of Parisian ballet” for yourself, why not try visiting a performance at the National Opera of Paris! It’s home to the Palais Garnier, an architectural masterpiece, full of Parisian glam. They offer a variety of shows from classic to modern interpretations and it’s worth the journey just for the opulent decor alone. If you're lucky, I'll probably be there on my way back home! Just give me a wave from your pink tutu, my darlings, and I’ll do a little twirl!
Until next month, remember to spread the joy of dance! And keep twirling, my darlings!
P.S My new collection of "Sparkling Feathers" will be released at the start of September, with this Parisian theme in mind. Be prepared to embrace the glitter, my lovely.
Emma X
www.pink-tutu.com
