Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers!
Welcome back to my blog! I'm Emma, and this month I'm taking you on a trip back in time to 1774, 8th August! I know, I know! That seems a lifetime ago! And you're absolutely right, it was!
So picture this - it's a glorious summer day and my gorgeous, sparkling shire horse, Magic Meg, and I are stepping into the annals of history. I'm decked out in my best pink tulle tutu and a dashing, swirling bolero - because even in the 1700s, a girl needs to make an entrance!
The journey on Magic Meg was smooth, like gliding across a ballet floor. My leather rucksack, filled with vintage ballet notes and scribbled dreams, bounced along cheerfully as we navigated through the bustling streets of Derbyshire, and into the waiting time portal, a shimmering mist in the forest beyond our stables.
We arrived at the grand Court of Louis XV in Versailles, and let me tell you, the French always know how to host a good ball. I saw so many lovely ladies twirling in elegant skirts. Now, while their movement wasn't exactly en pointe, they moved with such graceful abandon! You could see their energy rippling through the floor. It was all so swirlingly, romantic! I took notes on the etiquette and danced right along, trying my hardest not to grand jeté right out of my satin slippers!
You know how much I love the details in fashion and history, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to be right smack in the middle of the Précieux movement. All the lavish costumes! I’m sure even back then the men were wearing velvet with fur, and the ladies all had incredible jewels. All those lovely shades of lace and pearls - sigh... sparkly! It's all just SO inspiring!
Now, I was absolutely blown away to learn that around the same time period - 1776! - ballet, you know the grand performances, wasn’t as readily available! Can you imagine - no * Swan Lake, no *Giselle, no Nutcracker! I did catch the name of a rather captivating figure in the ballet world during this era - Mr. Noverre, he of the radical, expressive, dramatic, ballets! Apparently, he thought that dance shouldn't just be about beautiful steps - it was all about storytelling and evoking emotion. Isn’t that wonderful? I think Mr. Noverre would approve of my Pink Tutu Time Travels – the stories of my adventures in the dance world could make such lovely little * ballets!*
I couldn't leave Versailles without capturing some fashion tips. I mean, I need to keep my pink tutu looking fabulous for all of my time travels, right? Well, in the 1770s, everyone loved a puff, ladies! Lots of puff. And bows - even more bows. Oh! And the ladies - so feminine! This really did influence a whole lot of styles - we still see puffs, ruffles and those dainty bows in some ballgowns even now, so it really goes to show the timeless elegance of that era!
As I wrapped up my Parisian interlude, I snuck back into Magic Meg’s stable, right by the shimmering portal, to catch the last golden light of the day, packing a few carefully sourced 1770s ballet programs into my bag as souvenirs. The French may not have had a lot of grand ballet shows on 8th August 1774, but I can't help feeling a little bit nostalgic! And just to share some history with all of you, the 8th August is apparently the anniversary of a very big event in my neck of the woods, Derby! It was the 15th anniversary of the "Derby Gaol riot", such an unusual event! Now who would have known - the first "rebellion" to kick off with "a great number of women" from Derbyshire leading the fight against a local jail! Imagine how I felt, being surrounded by that energy in the past! The ladies here, like us, they know what it means to stand up for themselves. This makes my tutu feel like it truly connects with a special heritage, not only in the art of dance, but in all the movements of the spirit, and the beautiful ladies who've come before!
I have a special blog for you next month where I talk more about women in history, and how their resilience and spirit inspires me! And, I will talk about the exciting things that happen on 8th August in the world of dance! There's the International Dance Day - yes! There is a day for this beautiful art! And this month it's the start of La Fête de la Musique (A festival of Music), where the entire city of Paris bursts with joyous sound, music and, hopefully, dance! * Who knows? Perhaps *I might even visit. You never know where my Pink Tutu Time Travels will take me next!
Now go forth, and find that spark in your spirit - whatever your passion - * embrace the energy of dance, twirl with style, and always wear your pink tutu with pride! And make sure to check back next month - there is plenty to come!
Yours truly, Emma xx
