Hello my lovelies! It’s Emma here, back from another enchanting jaunt through time. May I introduce you to the darlingest pink tutu I’ve ever encountered? It's actually quite the surprise, as today I’m celebrating not just ballet history but also a trip to… drumroll 1721!
As you all know, I, your faithful pink-tutu-loving chronicler, am eternally seeking the ultimate ballet inspiration. Where better to find it than the dawn of the ballet craze?
This month, Magic Meg (my trusty pink-sparkling shire steed with the golden hooves and white mane and tail, how else?) has taken us all the way back to the 5th of May 1721. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing… and, wouldn't you know it, everyone was absolutely delighted to see me. My pink tutu certainly made quite an impact! They just couldn’t get over the bright pink loveliness – I suppose, in their drab brown and black world, a burst of vibrant colour was something quite extraordinary!
My leather rucksack, lovingly adorned with sparkly pink trim, was a magnet for treasures. Did I ever tell you about my incredible talent for gathering the most delightful trinkets during my travels? It's all part of my ballet collection, and let me tell you, today was a haul day! Imagine my glee when I found a pair of 18th-century dance slippers! I couldn't resist trying them on - oh, the struggle! Those shoes weren't designed for comfort, let’s just say!
But the real gem of this trip was witnessing a ballet performance at the newly built Opéra de Paris. Yes, you heard that right - Opéra de Paris! Can you imagine the thrill of watching a dance in such a prestigious venue, in its very first years? This was history in the making!
The style, the music, the drama, the costumes! The whole atmosphere was just breathtaking. They were performing L'amour de Titon et de l'Aurore, a charming piece with lovely music by a young and very talented Frenchman named Jean-Baptiste Lully. It was an incredible experience!
The whole production was a marvel of grace, finesse, and beautiful costumes. Their costumes weren't quite as sparkly and glittery as the ones we wear today, but they held a kind of classic elegance, much like a stunningly beautiful antique piece. Oh, to be a ballerina during this golden age!
After the show, I spent hours chatting with local fashion designers. Imagine my excitement to find out about the development of les ballerines - shoes designed specifically for dancing! The fashion for ballerinas was all the rage! Apparently, those flat shoes we wear for dance class were inspired by the ladies of this period and their espadrilles - think flat canvas slippers - which, surprisingly enough, were considered fashionable footwear for everyone. So, we have that to thank them for!
This trip was truly a delight. Seeing how ballet began its incredible journey through the centuries and meeting all those lovely, fascinating souls from the past was an experience that has left my heart dancing with joy.
So, tell me, what's on your bucket list for the world of ballet? Do you fancy travelling through time and meeting a historical dancer? Do you have a favourite period of ballet history? I’d love to hear from you. And remember - keep those pink tutus at the ready, ladies! After all, we're on a mission to make the world a little brighter, one pink tutu at a time.
See you next month, lovelies!
With a pink-tutu twirl,
Emma
p.s. Don’t forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more posts on our dance through time. We'll be exploring the amazing history of ballet every month - from the elegant 18th century right up to our modern dance scene.
