Hey everyone, it's Emma from www.pink-tutu.com here! Back with another dazzling instalment of my time travel adventures. This month, I've swished and twirled my way back to the 5th of May, 1716. Now, you might be thinking, "1716? What on earth could be happening in the ballet world back then?" Well, let me tell you, my lovely readers, there's always something exciting happening, even if it's not quite the grand spectacle we have today!
I mounted my trusty steed, Magic Meg - a magnificent pink, sparkling shire with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail - and off we galloped through the shimmering time vortex. Imagine a scene out of a fairytale, the wind whipping through my hair, the smell of the sweet hay mixed with the tang of ancient earth. As I settled into the saddle, I couldn't help but notice how utterly gorgeous my pink tutu looked against the backdrop of the 18th century - just pure girly magic!
Now, for those of you who aren't in the know, ballet as we know it wasn't really a thing back then. It was mostly a series of elegant court dances, with fancy costumes and intricate steps. Think ballroom waltzes and stately minuets.
However, there was still a whole world of movement and performance happening. For example, that very day in 1716, there was a grand masque at the Court of George I, celebrating his birthday! You might be surprised to hear that masks, which are often associated with theatre and dance today, were a huge hit back then. These elaborate, dramatic affairs combined dance, music, and costumes to tell stories, much like the ballets we adore today.
My journey in the 18th century took me to the Opera House in Paris. It's still standing today, a testament to the power of art, even in a time when it was vastly different from what we see today. I couldn't help but imagine the exquisite ladies in their extravagant gowns and powdered wigs, waltzing in the spotlight. Oh, to see those dance floors in their prime!
As for fashion, oh darling, let's talk about fashion! While they were still clinging to hoopskirts and extravagant headwear, a little more movement was beginning to trickle in. Even back in 1716, some designers started experimenting with more delicate and lightweight fabrics. Imagine! My Pink Tutu wouldn't have looked so out of place, now would it? wink wink
Don't get me wrong, I may love tutus, but this period brought back an old longing in me: for elegance and the art of dance. It felt wonderful to immerse myself in such a unique and elegant world, and the intricate dance floor patterns used for those elegant waltzes had me daydreaming about ballet class all week!
Oh, the stories I collected on that day in my leather rucksack! They'll be fodder for my blog posts for weeks to come, darling! From tales of Parisian socialites to secrets of the Court of George I, I truly believe my mission in life is to spread the love for all things ballet, past, present and future! So why not embrace your inner dancer, don your own tutu, and dance your way to your own fairytale? You never know what adventures await you in the world of ballet history!
Until next time, my lovelies!
Yours always,
Emma from www.pink-tutu.com 💕🌸🩰
P.S. Stay tuned for my upcoming ballet fashion blog post, "Tutustorical Time Travel: 18th Century Dance Fashion!" It's gonna be fab!
