Hello, my lovely tutu-lovers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and time travel! I'm Emma, your resident pink tutu-clad explorer, and this month I'm whisking you away to the enchanting world of ballet in 1760.
The Power of a Pink Tutu in the Past
I can't resist the call of a new time period! The history of ballet is so full of fascinating figures, dramatic stories and of course, stunning costumes. My favourite, as you all know, is the glorious tutu! What a statement piece it is! And even back in 1760, the tutu had a presence, although it was far less dramatic than the modern versions! Back then it was called the fichu and was really just a circular piece of lace or gauze, that served to show off the shape of the dancer’s hips, much like a dancer’s tutu today! I am very much hoping to discover an amazing antique version during my travels today, it would look fabulous in my collection!
Riding on Magic Meg Through the Time Warp
So how did I get to 1760, you ask? Well, let me introduce you to the star of the show: Magic Meg, my trusty time-traveling, pink sparkling Shire horse. She’s as reliable as the day is long and loves to gallop through history with me. Meg has golden hooves and a snowy white mane and tail that shimmer with a magical pink glow. I feel absolutely regal on her back, with my pink leather rucksack filled with all my travel essentials. We always pack some proper tea, a notebook to record the latest ballet happenings, and an endless supply of my favourite sparkly pink pencils! Oh and some new sparkly pink tights from M&S of course! This month my bag also features my brand new collection of ballet fashion from my last trip – some lovely ballet shoes, leotards and tutus that will look lovely in the current trends today! I'll show you my finds soon!
London's Theatrical Buzz: Dancing & Performances
1760 saw London abuzz with theatrical performances. The ballet was still developing as a separate form from opera, but its star was steadily rising. On this very date, July 7th, 1760, the renowned Italian ballet dancer, Giovanni Gallini performed at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London! Gallini was one of the pioneers of the ballet, credited with introducing classical ballet to the UK. His shows were often flamboyant and full of exciting acrobatic stunts.
One of the ballet's most exciting moments in 1760 was the introduction of female dancers wearing shorter and tighter skirts. It may not seem like much of a change today, but this completely transformed ballet from its previous form!
I’d love to go see Gallini perform – I hear it's quite spectacular! Meg seems a little less keen on a trip to London right now as it is quite busy and she is rather tired. We will find a lovely tea room with beautiful pink floral decorations in a beautiful stately home somewhere in the country instead, while we are in 1760. I feel a pink and floral china tea set coming on - don't you think so too?
Finding Fashion in the Past
While London buzzed with theatrical excitement, women in the countryside were adorned with more understated yet elegant attire. It is really interesting seeing how different styles are at different parts of the country. Silk gowns, fine fabrics, and delicate embroidery were all the rage, creating a look that was simultaneously elegant and timeless.
Did you know, my lovelies, that in the mid-18th century, pink was still considered a colour suitable for boys! It’s fascinating how colours shift in meaning through the ages! But it doesn't take much to make a shade look quite different; perhaps that's why I’m finding some truly lovely shades of pink on this trip! Just wait until you see the beautiful dresses! If I were to wear a pink silk gown while exploring 1760s Derbyshire, I bet I’d be the talk of the county! What an excellent opportunity to make pink a truly fabulous and fashion-forward statement!
Sharing Our Tutu Adventures
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into 1760 and my incredible time travel adventure! What did you think of it all? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! I would love to know what you would love to learn more about. And don't forget to check out the Pink Tutu website for my collection of 1760s ballet finds.
I’m off to the beautiful country roads of 18th-century Derbyshire now to find a pink-coloured fichu for my collection! And, who knows, I might even find a new outfit to add to my collection! Stay tuned!
Remember, the power of the pink tutu knows no bounds, not even the constraints of time! Happy dancing, and remember to keep shining!
**Lots of love,
Emma xx**
Remember to visit *www.pink-tutu.com to check out all my latest posts, follow me on my Instagram PinkTutuTimeTraveler , or come and visit me in the beautiful village of Ashbourne, Derbyshire!
And please do stay tuned next month when I’ll be posting about a tutu-tastic visit to the beautiful world of ballet in the year 1840!
