Hello my darlings, and welcome back to the Pink Tutu Time Travels blog! As you all know, it's my mission to spread the joy and beauty of ballet everywhere I go - and of course, I wouldn't be me without my trusty pink tutu, now, would I?
This month, dear readers, I'm taking you on a whirlwind trip back to the 1760s, specifically to the 5th of May, 1763! Now, before you picture me dancing on a cobbled street, let me tell you, I haven't quite worked out the etiquette of time travel fashion - particularly for past eras. Luckily, my lovely Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling shire horse with her golden hooves and white mane, has a magic of her own - a subtle ability to shift my attire into something just a little more fitting for the time!
I tell you, she is the most patient steed you could imagine. She puts up with my frequent stops for admiring architecture (some beautiful rococo pieces!), marvelling at fashion (I always pack a spare pair of tights in case of a snag, you never know with these historical adventures!), and, of course, getting a glimpse of what was happening in the ballet world on this very date!
1763: A Year of Royalty and EleganceAs we arrived, the world seemed steeped in elegance! This year saw the signing of the Treaty of Paris, bringing an end to the Seven Years’ War. What does this mean for us, my darling ballet enthusiasts? A bit of peace to appreciate all the art and artistry flourishing during this time! I am absolutely thrilled to tell you that this date saw a captivating performance of ballet, with none other than the King of Dance himself, Jean-Georges Noverre, as a lead! He is simply magnificent, don't you agree? Imagine the magic! I wonder what the dancing steps were like. I'm sure a certain Parisian princess might have graced the stage - perhaps she danced in the ballet d'action genre, with its emotional drama? I've added "The Ballet d'action: History & Technique" to my must-read list! My rucksack is filling up rather fast - perhaps I should make room for some antique ballet shoes?!
Speaking of fashion, darling readers, I couldn't help but notice the incredible hats in 1763. Not quite tutu worthy, you understand, but charming none the less! I adore the big, elaborate structures, all with feather plumes and beautiful embellishments - the ladies are clearly quite the show stoppers. One could say that even the mundane has been turned into a stage, the streets bustling with artistry! I feel a post about time travel fashion is brewing. Imagine a Pink Tutu Time Travels-themed show where the entire audience dons pastel colours, feather-embellished tutus, and bejeweled hairpieces, all dancing through history, creating an ever-changing tableau of fashion! Meg will need to start learning some time-hopping, magical pony moves to carry such a fantastical sight!
Now, darling readers, you must know I adore collecting stories of the dance - the magic, the movement, the music! I find that the history of ballet is so fascinating! This year saw a captivating event - an important step forward in the world of choreography - the founding of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dancing! My, my! Can you imagine a world without it? Where would we all be, darling readers? Perhaps my dear Meg would have been destined for a stage in another life, prancing about to the tunes of a Parisian street performer! A thought for another day! I can hardly believe that we are now only a handful of years away from the 18th century, which is overflowing with exciting ballet happenings! It really is all so much to take in - don't forget - the best way to digest this new information is, of course, by engaging in your own ballet rituals! Maybe a spot of practice a la barre, some lovely lyrical poses or perhaps a ballet-themed film to fuel our dreams of swirling tutus?
Now, darling readers, I've just remembered an absolute treasure I found earlier! Tucked away amongst some cobbled streets (that my trusty Meg has taken us over!) I discovered a lovely old, antique shop. The moment I walked in, the aroma of leather and parchment and, dare I say it, old silk ribbons enveloped me, and in the centre of the shop floor... imagine my delight! ...A beautifully aged, engraved dancing slipper! It looked to be made from a pale pink kid leather - almost an antique pink, my darling readers! I was so overwhelmed - what joy! Now I can use it as inspiration to make some new designs for my Pink Tutu ballet line. Just wait until you see it! My, oh, my, what wonderful possibilities, aren’t there? A ballet pink ballerina slippers with antique engraved trim? Now that's a piece I must have. You have no idea what's about to come, my dear ballet loving audience!
Remember my darlings - until next month, keep your passion for ballet alive and keep those pink tutus dancing! Let's continue this time travel adventure together! Don’t forget, darling readers - you can follow me on social media: PinkTutuTravels
And don't forget, to check out my other Pink Tutu posts at: www.pink-tutu.com
