Welcome back to my Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! It's Emma here, your resident ballet-obsessed time traveller, and today we're hopping back in time to January 1st, 1717! It's a rather special date for me as it marks my 673rd journey through time - oh, how I love a good milestone!
Now, you might be wondering what the ballet world looked like all those years ago. Well, I can tell you it was a far cry from the beautifully staged productions we see today. You see, the year 1717 was still relatively early days for ballet in Europe. The French had already had a royal ballet academy since 1661, and the Italians were certainly holding their own, but this was the dawn of the "balletomania" that would eventually sweep Europe!
Imagine, if you will, a world without tutus - gasp! Shocking, I know! While the ballet shoes we know and love were still a long way off, the dancers were already putting their own spin on movement and footwear. They would've worn satin slippers or light heeled shoes, perhaps with some decorative buckles for a bit of sparkle!
Today, we're taking a stroll down memory lane in Paris. I hopped on my trusty steed, Magic Meg (did I tell you about her? A pink, sparkling Shire with golden hooves - simply divine!) and landed smack bang in the middle of the French capital.
What did I discover? Well, this was just a few years before the illustrious Ballet de l'Opéra in Paris - the Opéra Garnier - was built, so the dancing would have been in other spaces like courts, grand halls, or even outdoors! You wouldn't find grand pas de deux, pirouettes, or leaps like today, more focus was on the expressive elegance and telling stories with the body. Think intricate poses, gracefully sculpted gestures and a good dollop of theatricality.
My little pink rucksack (stuffed with ballet memoirs and vintage footwear finds - my trusty collection tool!), was already bulging with ideas for the new collection for www.pink-tutu.com.
My pink ballet shoes would certainly make quite the splash on the cobbled streets of Paris back then - I can picture myself prancing in my twirling ballet dress through the busy market place with the Parisian ladies all agog, a true Pink Tutu Vision. It's always fun imagining the looks on people's faces as I waltz past in a glorious cascade of pink. I hope they'd all be tempted to slip on their own tutus - I dream of a world filled with pink!
While I can't give you an exact ballet program, as historical records for that date are scarce, we can definitely dream together. Let's paint the scene! Imagine a regal ball at the Palace of Versailles. Dancing couples swirl through the opulent hall, a chorus of courtiers watch on, a lively musical interlude weaves a tale of courtly love and honour. This is what I envision on a night like January 1st, 1717, a spectacle of aristocratic grace and early ballet elegance.
I might be able to fill you in with some specifics on my next trip. Perhaps there'll be news on a particular royal performance or a famous dance teacher – the historical ballet landscape is full of hidden treasures just waiting to be uncovered!
But for now, it's time for me to dust off my shoes and practice my own twirls. I have a performance lined up at the Derby Theatre tonight, funding my next journey through time. It will be a ballet of pink tulle, sparkle and a little touch of history! Remember, every dance brings us one step closer to a world where everyone can embrace the power of a pink tutu.
See you next time! 💖
Yours in pink twirls, Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com*
