Hello fellow pink tutu enthusiasts! Itâs your favourite ballet time traveller, Emma, back again for another jaunt through history. This month, weâre stepping back to 1732, specifically August the 8th, for a peek at a pivotal moment in ballet's evolution! Buckle up your sparkly shoes, because itâs about to get exciting!
Oh, and if youâre new to this little corner of the internet, this is www.pink-tutu.com, a place where ballet history, fashionable footwear, and a little sprinkle of magic come together. We dive into the past, exploring the amazing world of ballet across time, from the dazzling days of the Italian Renaissance to the modern dance sensations of today.
And this month, our destination is the heart of France.
The Story Begins In Paris
Imagine Paris in 1732. The city is abuzz with culture, the arts are thriving, and everyone is flocking to see the latest ballets at the Paris Opera. The stage is ablaze with passion and stories woven into elaborate, often comedic, dances. It's truly a beautiful and enchanting period, and for ballet lovers, thereâs no better place to be.
Now, while this date doesnât hold a massive âBIG EVENTâ in the world of ballet, what it does hold is the beginning of an incredible wave of creative expression, a burst of ballet ingenuity.
This year, a ballet called âThe Triumph of Beauty over Ugliness" premiered at the OpĂ©ra de Paris. It wasnât just the subject matter that was so captivating (even though who wouldn't love a ballet about defeating ugly?) but the groundbreaking performance by Mademoiselle SallĂ©.
Sallé, an Italian ballerina, made history for challenging ballet traditions and bringing a new dynamism to her dance. She was a whirlwind of grace, technical virtuosity, and fearless artistry, pushing the boundaries of the expected.
Just picture her swirling across the stage, her every movement imbued with a fresh, bold, and passionate intensity. Now, it was quite rare back then for dancers to wear simple costumes â often, theyâd have elaborate embellishments or accessories, kind of like how we see performers today dressing up to fully embody the character.
Well, Mademoiselle SallĂ© was quite the iconoclast. She appeared in her performance wearing a simple white tunic with a flowing train â revolutionary for the time! She made it her mission to highlight the dancerâs skill, letting the choreography do the talking, and wow, what talking it did!
The Rucksack and A Very Special Moment
Here in Derbyshire, itâs chilly, but my time travel bag, filled with treasures from the past, is always bursting with warm memories. You can probably hear the rustle of antique ribbons, see the gleam of an old theatrical programme, and maybe even smell the scent of long-forgotten perfumes as I carefully weave each story together for you!
In my latest trip to Paris, I saw this performance firsthand. The air was alive with energy as Mademoiselle Sallé captivated the audience. Seeing her break free from the rigid, traditional styles and embrace a more natural movement really changed my perspective!
Itâs moments like this that make time travelling so worthwhile. Witnessing these early stages of ballet, these brave trailblazers like Mademoiselle SallĂ©, makes you appreciate just how far ballet has come. But at the same time, reminds us to keep pushing boundaries, to express ourselves fully through movement and to keep the spirit of innovation alive, always, always.
A Pink Tutu Twist - Parisian Ballet
Did you know, Parisian ballets were known for their charming and light-hearted character? It wasn't all seriousness and long, dark narratives â although there was definitely some of that too. But a lot of the focus was on the beauty of movement, light, and even a little playful rivalry amongst dancers.
Of course, these performances werenât quite like what we'd consider a tutu today. Ballet costumes have undergone a dramatic transformation, from the long skirts of the past to the now-iconic tutu that so many ballet dancers wear. And itâs the little details that are the real stories! For example, many ballets, especially during this time period, featured dancers in what are known as *âĂ la Polonaiseâ **styles of dress, meaning it involved long and flowing garments!
From the Archives
Back in Derbyshire, my ballet collection grows every month! A vintage lace shawl I picked up at a Parisian flea market, an elegant programme from an 18th-century ballet, all find a place in my time travelling bag. Itâs fascinating how balletâs history, like a beautiful mosaic, is made up of so many diverse stories!
One of my latest finds? A hand-drawn sketch of Mademoiselle SallĂ© performing in âThe Triumph of Beauty over Uglinessâ. She looks so full of life! This is why I always say that balletâs past isnât just about reading dusty books and learning about obscure dance moves; it's about capturing the passion, the emotions, and the pure beauty that transcends time.
Fashion Inspiration from The Past
The Parisian fashion scene is always a treat! And trust me, back in 1732, the ballet scene definitely had its own sense of style. For this blog post, I wanted to pull out a specific fashion theme Iâve discovered that really highlights this era! Itâs all about elegance with a playful twist. Imagine beautiful silk dresses with a slight puffed effect â itâs almost as if they were already anticipating the iconic âRomanticâ era tutus! This is something Iâve tried incorporating into my own style.
There was so much charm in the subtle hints of lace and embroidery on garments worn during these ballets! Think delicate bows and a little bit of sparkle, without being overdone. It was all about the dancerâs artistry taking center stage, while the attire added a touch of sophistication and grace.
Onwards to a Pink Tutu Future
1732! Itâs a year that reminds us to embrace boldness and originality, and to see the beauty of simple, elegant expression.
I know that some people will always prefer the classic ballerina styles of the past. But I truly believe that incorporating a pink tutu is the next evolutionary step. The vibrant energy, the playful spirit, the simple joy â those are the core elements that are truly making their way back to the forefront of dance and fashion, even today. It's all about finding ways to celebrate the spirit of movement, of elegance, of creative expression, with a hint of playful magic, and whatâs more joyful than a bright, pink, billowing tutu?
Iâve been dreaming about one thing ever since I first met Mademoiselle SallĂ©. The dream of seeing all ballerinas across time and space dance in a beautiful pink tutu. Perhaps Iâll travel back to this very time in 1732, find her, and bring her a little pink gift!
I have a feeling she might just be a fellow pink tutu enthusiast.
Remember to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com where you can find more stories and inspirations. And of course, don't forget to share your own ballet memories and inspirations in the comments below. I canât wait to hear your thoughts!
Until next month,
Emma xx
P.S. And remember â keep your tutu tight, keep your spirits bright!
