Hello fellow tutu lovers! Emma here, your resident time-traveling ballerina, back with another glimpse into the fascinating world of ballet history! This month, I'm taking you back to December 12th, 1720, a date that holds a special place in my heart because… well, because it's a Tuesday. But that's not all! I'm about to share some exciting happenings in the world of dance that, trust me, will have you twirling with excitement.
Before I jump into the exciting bits, I must say I absolutely adore my new pink tutu, darling! I found this one during my last time travel trip and it’s absolutely exquisite - delicate, frothy layers, a shade of pink that just makes you want to pirouette in the sunshine, and an extra sparkly tulle skirt. Did I mention it's reversible?! I can wear it inside out for a more understated look, perfect for when I’m not feeling quite as showstopping.
But onto my time-travel escapade, darling! Today I was at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, a most dazzling place filled with opulent theatre seats and beautiful stained-glass windows. It felt quite the contrast to the slightly damp Derbyshire countryside I’d just left behind, I must admit! As usual, dear Magic Meg - my lovely pink and sparkly shire horse - waited patiently outside with my leather rucksack (stuffed with more tutu inspiration than you could shake a diamanté at!).
What was going on at Covent Garden this December day in 1720? Why, it was nothing less than a performance of "The Capricious Lovers," a ballet performed by the illustrious and ever-so-fashionable Italian theatre troupe, "Compagnie des Arts." You've just GOT to imagine it! This troupe was the crème de la crème back then - known for their elegant costumes, impressive acrobatic moves and, of course, the thrilling music! Now, I have to be honest - those guys had amazing talent, but I wouldn’t have minded teaching them a little bit about the delicate artistry of ballet technique, which of course was a bit more advanced then!
After the show, I ventured into the bustling streets of London (it was the fashion hub of the time!) I did a little ballet-related shopping, finding a few rather fetching silk slippers that could totally work with a tutu! Even then, you could see the fashion and art of the time intertwining. The craftsmanship of these garments was truly magnificent. And I do believe the English designers of the period even took their inspiration from these exotic ballet troupes! They truly started a fashion frenzy, darling!
You see, the impact of this performance (and similar ones happening all over Europe), goes far beyond the dancing! It shows just how important art, beauty, and entertainment are to all of us. From fashion to music, this period saw the influence of dance infiltrate practically every aspect of life. We truly have the dancing Italians to thank for making movement a focal point of artistic expression! They planted the seeds for ballet to flourish across the globe!
While this particular troupe didn't exactly feature tutus as we know them - more a combination of pantomimed movements, acrobatic tricks, and intricate footwork, the seeds for the dancewear we adore today were sown, right here in London. I think I saw a glimmer of a future for tutus in this world. We just needed a touch more whimsy and imagination, don't you think?
I know my passion for pink tutus and time-traveling may seem outlandish to some. But every journey starts with a single step, my dears. Don’t be afraid to dance to the beat of your own drum! What makes your heart flutter? What sets your spirit ablaze? That, my dear, is your pink tutu moment, waiting to be embraced.
As always, don't forget to keep a lookout for new posts and updates on www.pink-tutu.com! And please, don’t hesitate to send me a message – I’m always happy to chat about anything dance related. Until next time, happy dancing, darling!
