Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another thrilling time-travelling escapade for your viewing pleasure! Buckle up your tutus, grab a cuppa, and let's journey back to the fascinating world of ballet in the year 1713!
A Trip to the Past
It was another typical morning in my little Derbyshire cottage when the urge to travel struck. You know, that tingling feeling, like your heart's about to burst with excitement. So I slipped on my trusty pink tutu (my go-to for any occasion, really!), patted Magic Meg’s sparkly white mane, and we were off! Meg is, of course, my magnificent pink Shire horse with those stunning golden hooves - she’s the perfect partner for any ballet-themed time travel adventure!
My journey back to 1713 was like a fairytale come to life! The fields were golden with autumn leaves, the air crisp and clean, and the aroma of woodsmoke hung heavy in the air. It felt a bit like stepping into one of those stunning 18th-century paintings I adore – the ones with the dancers in powdered wigs and beautiful satin costumes.
This trip I packed my leather rucksack with a little extra space for something special - a vintage, delicate, pale pink silk scarf. Just picture it, a ballet dancer from 1713 swishing around the stage in a beautiful scarf… swoon!
A World of Baroque Ballet
So, where did we end up in 1713? Right at the heart of the Royal Ballet's premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. This was truly an exciting time for ballet, with the beautiful elegance of baroque style in full bloom. It felt almost like stepping into a grand ball!
Oh, the costumes! They were simply breathtaking, like works of art. Corsets, puffy skirts, and extravagant ornamentation, adorned with vibrant colours and beautiful textures - all these added such visual drama and glamour. I particularly loved the sparkling brocades and satins – just imagine all the shimmering and glittering! The dances, meanwhile, were so intricate and technically challenging.
Ballet: More Than Just Dancing
Even though the choreography we see today wouldn't be out of place back then, ballet wasn't just about graceful movements and expressive dance in those days! It was part of lavish theatrical performances filled with intricate sets, fantastical costumes, and even poetry and opera! It was a truly multi-disciplinary affair!
Now, I must confess, the stage in 1713 was rather bare. Gone was the lush scenery we are used to. But that didn’t stop the artistry – instead, it allowed for pure imagination and storytelling. We saw fantastic allegorical plays – think of "The Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi, which I'm sure many of you have heard. I can only imagine how the ballet dancers conveyed the drama and power of those powerful compositions – oh to see it performed live!
Discovering Fashion of the Time
Being a pink tutu-loving gal, naturally, my attention went straight to the fashion. In 1713, the elegant ladies of London were sporting panniers to create a very wide silhouette. Those voluminous, round skirts looked simply exquisite, like gigantic blooms of frilled fabrics!
My little pink scarf wasn't the only treasure I found. In a little vintage shop, I stumbled upon a pair of delicate ivory slippers that would have graced the feet of a graceful 1713 dancer. They are so exquisitely delicate – I can imagine the dancer would have made such beautiful movements in them. I purchased these immediately – you’ve never seen a pink tutu dance so beautifully on those dainty soles.
Keeping Our History Alive
And here’s a little tip, my lovelies: If you’re visiting London, you should absolutely pop into the Victoria and Albert Museum! It has an exquisite collection of 18th-century ballet costumes – they’re absolute eye-candy! And imagine how those intricate garments would have transformed on stage, with all the dancing and twirling. Such inspiration, darlings!
As for my own vintage ballet pieces, I lovingly preserve them in my little cottage – they are just as precious to me as any heirloom. These beautiful items hold a piece of ballet history, and they inspire my imagination as I travel back through time. Oh, and they just look so glamorous against a pink backdrop!
Spread the Tutu Love!
You know what they say, darling: Sharing is caring. So go on, pop on your most vibrant pink tutu, channel your inner 1713 dancer, and spread the ballet joy! We've got some fabulous ballet productions happening all over the world this month. Check out www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest updates, reviews, and inspiring photos.
And of course, don’t forget to take those adorable tutu photos and share them with the #pinktutudreamers tag on your social media. Let’s make the world a pink-tutu-filled paradise, one graceful step at a time!
Until next month, lovelies, happy dancing!
Emma xo
P.S. Did you know that the term “ballet” first appeared in England in 1713? How exciting is that?! It’s just another wonderful piece of ballet history to appreciate!
