Hello darlings!
It's your favourite time travelling tutu-clad ballerina, Emma, back with another whirl through the world of ballet history! This month, I'm skipping through time to the 4th of April, 1721, where I found myself in the midst of the French court, nestled amidst elegant gardens and ornate salons. It was a bit of a shock to see the lack of pink tutus, though – they wouldn't really become a ballet staple until much later.
Fashion Faux Pas?
The ballet fashion of 1721 was rather dramatic, darling. Think silks and satins, lots of elaborate headdresses, and lots of ladies trying to show off their amazing bodices! Of course, there was a lot of powdered wigs, which I must confess made the men look very posh. I was so tempted to show off a vibrant pink tutu, but I decided to hold off. The fashions back then were so different – so intricate and often flamboyant. I really would have been out of place!
Finding the Story Behind the Steps
Now, although the outfits might have looked a tad stuffy compared to our modern tutu attire, there were some incredibly interesting developments happening in ballet. I wandered into the Salle des Spectacles, a beautiful room where ballet performances took place, and discovered an incredibly talented group of dancers performing ballets from some of the biggest names in the early ballet scene, including Michel de Blondy, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and even Pierre Beauchamp!
My trusty rucksack filled with ballet stories and keepsakes just burst with notes! Just imagine - in a world of no tutus, these pioneers of ballet were pushing the boundaries of dance with every performance!
Time Travelling with Magic Meg
Of course, no time-traveling adventure would be complete without my trusty steed, the beautiful, majestic pink shire horse, Magic Meg, with her sparkling golden hooves and billowing white mane and tail. Meg galloped us all around the royal gardens, taking in the lush blooms and fragrant rose gardens – they would inspire the stunning designs for our contemporary ballerinas’ costumes! And, just to give you a little insider peek – my pink tutus often carry subtle whispers of the colours of nature.
My Pink Tutu Quest Continues...
So, darling, even without a pink tutu on display in the courts of Versailles, I learned a ton this month about the early development of ballet.
Remember, the journey to achieving the ultimate world of pink tutus continues! I need to be on the front line of fashion and ballet history. That means getting on the stage whenever I can, and, of course, travelling back through time with my Magic Meg, to find out more about what’s been inspiring ballet ever since.
Don’t forget to follow my monthly blog posts on www.pink-tutu.com, where you can learn all about ballet and maybe, just maybe, find some inspiration to step into your own pink tutu!
Love, Emma 💖
*(P.S - Don’t forget, darlings! We all need to be working on achieving a pink tutu future - and if you are struggling with a tough week, a new outfit could help!) *
This post is #724 for my ballet time travel blog. My website is www.pink-tutu.com and is dedicated to celebrating everything about ballet - from the past to the present.
