Greetings, fellow tutu-lovers! Emma here, ready to take you on another enchanting trip through the shimmering tapestry of ballet history. This month, we’re hopping on the back of Magic Meg, my pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a mane like spun moonlight, and whisking back to February 2nd, 1770.
My rucksack is ready for a delightful haul of stories, trinkets and secrets from this year, which I can tell you is a simply sparkling time for dance!
Now, imagine it, darlings: pink tutus swirling through the candlelight of a London theatre… it’s almost too wonderful to fathom, isn’t it? That’s the very vision I have dancing in my head as we journey back, because 1770 was a pivotal moment for ballet, even though tutus as we know them wouldn't make their grand debut for a good while yet!
This February 2nd, we're going to explore a fascinating world: a world where Marie-Madeleine Guimard, a rising star at the Paris Opéra, was captivating audiences with her stunning grace, while in Italy, the innovative Vincenzo Galeotti was busy revolutionizing ballet techniques. We’re also about to stumble upon some simply delightful developments in dance fashion! (A pink tutu enthusiast like me could never resist a peek into the ballet fashion of bygone eras!)
The Dance of the Parisian Courts
In Paris, ballet was still very much an affair of the court, and oh darling, imagine those frock coats! But while those dandies in powdered wigs might have thought they were all the rage, I bet they would have been utterly mesmerized by Guimard’s ballets.
Her dances weren't just technical masterpieces; she breathed life and emotion into them. They weren't about the perfection of technique but about telling stories through movement. That’s the kind of passion and dedication that gets me really going, don’t you agree?
And did I tell you about the absolutely delightful outfits those ballerinas wore? Silk panniers, frilly, embroidered bodices, and an absolute rainbow of colours (a pink one here and there wouldn’t be out of place at all, wouldn't it be lovely to find some vintage pink dance silk?). All of that, under a billowing cloak of sheer tulle that billowed around their graceful moves!
These weren’t your conventional tutus yet, darlings, but oh, I simply adore their history! To see those graceful dances happening now is just the greatest! We are all standing on the shoulders of these giants, wouldn't you say?
Italian Ballet BlossomsNow, let's journey to Italy, where the sparkling Vincenzo Galeotti, the most prominent figure in the field of Italian dance, was shaking up the ballet world.
This dashing young man brought a revolution to Italian ballet with his innovative ballet company in Florence. It was the birth of a brand-new dance school - a truly magnificent feat, I can tell you. He incorporated classical elements into a more dynamic and expressive style of ballet, adding drama and athleticism to the art. The sheer brilliance of it all - oh, how I adore discovering those pioneering individuals in our dance history.
Of course, my favourite time travelling part? Discovering those extraordinary people who loved dance as much as I do! You know, in this period, the fashion scene really starts embracing some truly gorgeous looks! It’s just perfect for pink-tutu lovers like myself. Let's explore them now, darlings…
Ballet Fashion in 1770: A Wardrobe for the AgesOh, wouldn’t those 18th-century dandies have loved to see us in our tutus! Back in 1770, it was all about elegance and refinement, darlings. A true dance fan would certainly have looked positively dashing.
First, we need to get the dress right. They wore a full skirt that swept around with their every movement, oh my, simply dazzling! Then, a bodice that fit perfectly, no matter how dramatic their movements were.
I've got a particular weakness for lace, darlings, so my 1770 wardrobe would be filled with lovely lace trims, maybe a hint of embroidered velvet - oh, darling! And don't forget the most charming little touches: a dainty pearl necklace, some sparkling earrings, perhaps a lovely silk flower nestled in your hair. Just a little flourish of magic that turns every dance into something truly special, wouldn't you agree?
The only question is, would we be wearing dancing slippers in these colourful concoctions of dancey magic, or something even more stylish? Imagine it - a ballet performance in 1770! The sheer loveliness of it all!
My Pink Tutu Wardrobe for 1770
Of course, I simply must incorporate a dash of pink! What’s a ballerina’s dream without a little pink? Now, here’s the outfit that has my heart beating, my darlings! Imagine it, a vintage, luxurious blush-pink silk dress. It swishes like a fairy’s cloak. The bodice? Fitted to perfection, just like those fabulous ladies in 1770, and of course, lace all over! My dancing slippers are pearl and pink to match. And - my pièce de résistance! A simple but exquisite pink, pearl and velvet tiara for added magic. And my dancing partner, darling, of course, must be wearing matching pink breeches! Oh, how utterly lovely it would all be!
Pink tutus forever!
I could easily stay here in 1770 for another thousand years! I'd certainly wear a few pink tutus in every colour imaginable, that much is certain! But for now, darling, I must get back to my time. You simply have to follow me through this portal of history and see just how captivating these dancers are in our time, and just how wonderful pink tutus really are!
Pink tutus forever, darlings! And Happy Ballet-ing!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
