Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things ballet, time travel, and, of course, PINK TUTUS!
This month, I'm whisking you back to the 1st of January, 1718. As we galloped through time on Magic Meg, I felt the air turn crisp and the landscape morph into a world of powdered wigs and elaborate gowns. We arrived in London, just in time for the New Year!
Now, you might be thinking: âEmma, whatâs so exciting about 1718? Thereâs no ballet on the stage yet! No ballerinas twirling in pink tutus.â But oh my dear friends, you'd be wrong!
Yes, this time period marks the start of ballet's "dark age," where formal, professional productions were rare, with the court in Paris reigning supreme in terms of dance and artistry. But this doesn't mean that ballet wasn't alive! People were still dancing, and those dances had a powerful effect on the fashions of the day.
Take a look at the men's fashions: I noticed the wide trousers with ribbons, called âbreeches.â They looked strangely familiar⌠don't they remind you of the wide legs of menâs tutus? Maybe a little too familiar for a gentlemanâs comfort in those times, but who knowsâŚmaybe they secretly yearned to pirouette!
Now, let's talk women's fashion! Oh my dear, it was a feast for the eyes! I couldn't resist snatching a few oh-so-stylish samples of fabric for my ever-growing collection of time-period dance attire! Silk and lace, so delicate and flowingâŚit made me think about the billowing layers of a ballet skirt, like an endless whisper of movement and grace!
Donât get me wrong, dear readers, weâre talking about fashion that was designed for standing and promenading, not for spinning and leaping. It was all about showing off your wealth, and while those elaborate dresses and hair styles would likely not make for the most dynamic on-stage presence, I couldnât help but picture those noble ladies with their hoops and long trains, gliding across the floor like ethereal ballerinas! Imagine that! A room full of silks and ruffles with ladies performing the graceful figures of the dance, not meant to tell a story or create illusions like modern ballet does, but rather as a testament to the elegance and poise that made the courts of Europe a breathtakingly beautiful, intricate tapestry of moving beauty!
And speaking of beauty, one of the biggest treats for the day was discovering the opera in 1718! My heart sang at the sight of elaborate costumes and the joyous sounds of musicians, it truly sparkled with that old-fashioned theatrical magic! You can bet I secured a seat, a stunning hat, and made sure I looked flawlessly chic for this historic event. My outfit, as always, revolved around the pink, of course! I wore a pale pink silk dress, shimmering with silver threads, and, you guessed it, a magnificent pink tutu! Not a contemporary one, naturally. Instead, it was a soft, multi-layered concoction, each tier cascading around my legs in soft ruffles, as if whispered secrets spun by an artisan who understood how light and air could transform silk into an ethereal garment that flowed as though it had a life of its own. The shade of pink echoed the blush of the flowers adorning the theatreâs exterior, the delicate hue a perfect compliment to the velvet and mahogany that lined the performance hall.
Here's something interesting, my lovely dancers: Opera singers were starting to integrate a few steps from the ballet repertoire into their performances in this time period! Imagine, dance moves creeping their way into an art form you wouldnât necessarily expect. Maybe that was the start of an exciting future for the dance! Iâd say we are witnessing something truly extraordinary. It gives me goosebumps and sparks ideas for a fantastic pink tutu, doesn't it?
Oh! Before I sign off, donât forget that Pink Tutu Travels is now also on Instagram and Twitter. Find us at pinktututravels. I post snippets of my time travels, pictures of fabulous ballet-themed fashion finds, and, of course, adorable snaps of Magic Meg, my trusty steed and a source of endless fascination!
Until next month, dear friends!
Stay fabulous, and never stop believing in the magic of ballet and, of course, PINK TUTUS!
Yours Truly, Emma
PS: Don't forget to visit Pink-Tutu.com to see our full collection of ballet-inspired goodies! From tutus to travel journals, we have everything you need to live your life on the pointe.
This blog post is #685 for the Pink Tutu Travels site, which posts a new entry on the first of every month. Each post recounts Emma's journey through a different time period in ballet history, allowing readers to discover its intricate details. Emma travels via the mystical Magic Meg, a beautiful pink horse with a golden mane and hooves. Funding for her time travels comes from Emma's various performances, where she showcases her dance talent and, of course, sports a stunning pink tutu for each show.
In her journeys through history, Emma not only uncovers intriguing aspects of balletâs evolution but also explores the impact of dance and fashion on the lives and cultures of the eras she visits. Emmaâs infectious enthusiasm is contagious, leaving readers both inspired and eager to explore the fascinating world of ballet and its history.
