Hey gorgeous ballerinas, welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! This month I'm taking you back to 4th April 1715 - quite a time to be a lady, or indeed a gentleman! Imagine a world before teacups and porcelain - I mean, even I think that would be a little jarring!
So buckle up my darlings, because Magic Meg and I are going for a canter back in time - and she’s looking positively radiant in her pink, sparkly saddle blanket! It's always so much fun riding with a horse who absolutely radiates like she’s dipped in glitter!
Today I'm sharing some highlights of what the ballet world looked like back then - remember, this is when ballet was a far cry from what we know today! There wasn’t even an idea of ‘pointe’ shoes for quite some time!
It’s funny, back then, a lot of ballet movements were inspired by dancing peasants - who knew the best dancing could come from humble roots?! We have to thank our countryside friends, really, for how much dance has developed.
Time-Travelling to Paris in 1715:
First, let’s start our journey in the heart of Parisian elegance - who doesn’t love the city of lights?! In this year, the famous ballet master, Pierre Beauchamp, was hard at work in his ballet school in Paris, and, bless his heart, it was in its hay-day!
You might not be able to visit the Parisian Ballet today - I haven’t figured out that time-traveling trick just yet - but there are loads of videos of this era on the internet that we can peek at! This school was the main hub for everything ballet - imagine how busy that little room must’ve been.
For those of you who are absolutely obsessed with your tutus (who’s with me!), it would’ve been hard to see them on the dance floor yet. 1715 fashion would have you in corsets and lots and lots of petticoats. And maybe, if you’re really lucky, a flowing skirt. Imagine, no frills or ruffles…how much of a missed opportunity! You know me, I adore my pink tutu, but sigh – no time to moan about what could’ve been! I have to let the past stay in the past, otherwise we wouldn't have such fantastic costumes to wear nowadays!
Thankfully, they were making a real move toward the elegant ballerinas we see in movies. Those ladies of this era really did know how to spin, jump, and leap…although the dresses might not have helped with that. They wore long, wide, elaborate skirts that took a great deal of skill to dance in – imagine keeping a ballgown looking elegant on stage while you’re attempting a complex step! Now, THAT’S skill!
I'm telling you - dancing in the early days wasn't for the faint of heart! No ballerina, even one as fierce and fearless as myself, could attempt these jumps, leaps, and turns without rigorous training and unwavering confidence!
Back to Ballet’s Beginnings - 1715’s Influence:
Before I pack up Magic Meg’s saddlebags with the most recent treasures – I can’t leave a blog without a few fun tidbits about my little treasures! So here is one from our trip:
Believe it or not, these dance pioneers laid the groundwork for today’s pointe shoes – who’d have thought! Back then, dancers wore hard leather shoes with pointy tips – I'm so glad I got my paws on some for my rucksack – such interesting artefacts! These weren't comfy, and let’s be honest - not terribly practical! They must have hurt. Oh, these dancing goddesses and gods!
I can’t tell you how fascinating it is to be transported back and discover how the world of ballet developed from these basic yet significant tools! The ballet that emerged from those days helped to influence our styles today – every single time I go to ballet class and perform on stage, it makes me appreciate these pioneers! I don't know how many of us could handle wearing pointy leather shoes on pointe!
Now that's an interesting thought, my fellow ballerinas! Why don’t you share your thoughts in the comments - perhaps we can put our brains together to create a time capsule to send back for them, with comfy pink pointe shoes, lots of bright tutus and sparkly things – what a surprise! We all love a little touch of pink sparkle!
Pink Tutu Shopping Spree in 1715 - And the Inspiration to Wear Pink Tutus Everywhere !
But wait, what’s a Time Traveller without a shopping spree?! The fabrics, oh the fabrics! Think velvets, brocades, and taffetas! Talk about extravagant and lush! These were some of the finest materials – you can only imagine how much these garments must have cost! And imagine – wearing silks while you dance – you’ve got to think they were sweaty!
Honestly, who would've thought a girl could be inspired to wear a pink tutu on an ordinary, day-to-day basis in this time period?! (Well, I'm not exactly day-to-day...time travelling changes the routine a little!). But for those back then, fashion truly was art, every piece had so much attention to detail!
Oh, and can I just mention how many layers these women wore? Hats, gloves, lace collars and – are you ready for this? – corsets. Imagine wearing that and attempting a graceful leap?! That's talent! So much focus and dedication went into crafting these pieces that I know would definitely inspire a modern ballet design team – and let's be honest – we could use a little more sparkle in our dance fashion nowadays!
Off To New Adventures…:
Until next time, beautiful souls, stay creative and always remember, no matter your age or stage, there’s a ballerina within! So wear those pink tutus high and proud and be ready for some ballet fun!
Toodles, Emma and Magic Meg
Don't forget to check out the new online shop where I'm featuring an amazing range of ballet-themed fashion inspired by the best vintage designs and of course - plenty of pink, glittery tutus to brighten your day!
[www.pink-tutu.com]
