Hello my lovelies, welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travel, your one-stop shop for all things tutu, pink, and time travel! I’m Emma, your Derbyshire darling, and it’s time for post number 699! I’m a little giddy with excitement because today, my dear readers, we’re stepping back to 1719, and oh, let me tell you, it’s a real whirlwind of fashion and dance history!
As usual, my trusty steed Magic Meg is patiently pawing the cobblestones outside my flat, her pink glitter-sprinkled mane glinting in the morning sun. You might be wondering how a pink shire horse with golden hooves magically whisks me through the centuries, and well, let’s just say that anything is possible with a bit of pink sparkle and a love for ballet! My performances fund our time travel, and each month I pick a new date in ballet history to explore, and today, it’s a journey back to the world of 1719!
Today I'm rocking a blush-pink tulle tutu with silver-toned sequins. It's a nod to the extravagant dresses of the French court in that era, but with a hint of modern chic, of course! My sparkly, pink rucksack is ready to be filled with all sorts of intriguing ballet snippets from 1719. I always feel like a princess on these adventures, even if sometimes the toilets aren’t as sparkly as my tutus!
So buckle up my darlings, because it's going to be a dazzling trip! ✨
As we land in the year 1719, I can almost smell the scent of beeswax candles and freshly baked pastries – this century is bursting with character and elegance! I find myself in the French court, where the world of ballet is truly blossoming!
1719, darling readers, was the year that King Louis XV, at the young age of eight, officially declared "le roi soleil", King Louis XIV's successor, was declared the King of France. Can you imagine, just a young boy holding so much power! This young ruler, like his predecessor, adored the art of dance and ballet was enjoying immense popularity and influence, shaping its path to becoming an intricate and grand art form!
In the heart of Paris, Les Grands Ballets were held at the Palais-Royal, a grand hall dedicated to celebrating the arts and entertainment. The very word "ballet" evokes such a sense of romance, and those performing for King Louis XV would be nothing short of captivating! It's hard to imagine how those magnificent sets, elaborate costumes, and captivating performances must have mesmerized the court, adding another layer of drama and luxury to a truly regal atmosphere.
Oh, wouldn't it be incredible to travel back in time and catch one of these opulent ballet shows? Imagine stepping into a palace hall filled with the vibrant and shimmering colours of a lavish court. To see dancers in their silks and satins, adorned with feathers and glittering gems. I can already picture myself waltzing through a bustling salon, perhaps in a vibrant blue and gold satin gown, catching the eye of a handsome courtier! 💖
We'll have to get back to this topic, but right now we’re off to delve a bit more into the world of ballet at this time. You know I have to share what the trends were, darlings! I mean, who doesn’t love a peek into the closets of the past?
Now, here's the thing. Ballet dancers in 1719 were not wearing tutus, no dear readers. That trend wouldn’t develop for another century! Can you imagine how hard it would be to leap and twirl in that gorgeous, but impractical, voluminous dress with its big, heavy panniers? Talk about a struggle! They would have needed to wear special shoes, almost like ballerina slippers, which would be the foundation of our contemporary dance footwear!
That year, we also find Pierre Beauchamp’s, a famous choreographer and dancing master, "Treatise of the Art of Dancing", published. This treatise provided the basis for our contemporary ballet language we use today. Just think, this book from almost 300 years ago forms the very foundation for all that amazing technique that I work so hard on at my dance class.
But remember, dear readers, ballet is a journey! Its steps, its styles, its themes – all evolve and adapt with each generation! We wouldn’t have our contemporary ballet, its freedom of movement, its stories, its raw expression without all those years and all those talented pioneers paving the way. It’s always humbling to realise what came before me!
But darling readers, don’t forget that all my ramblings about history need to be grounded by some PINK SPARKLE. Remember how I am working towards getting everyone in the world to wear a pink tutu? Well, guess what I stumbled upon today?! A beautiful, frilly, blush pink fabric. Yes, this discovery was more valuable than the whole "Treatise of the Art of Dancing"!
You know how it is: the sight of something PINK, it’s pure magic! The texture, the colour, and the shimmer... oh, and my readers, you just don’t know how excited I am! Just a simple discovery of a pink fabric could just change the world. Now, what I want you to do is think of a style of tutu we could design, maybe using that frilly fabric, which would truly look lovely in 1719!
Maybe we can even go back in time one day and make everyone at the palace wear it.
That's all for now, my lovely darlings. Thanks for taking this little journey into 1719 with me, I hope you’ve been entertained. Don’t forget, dear readers, wear a pink tutu, embrace the magic, and always let your inner ballerina shine! 💖
