Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and I'm absolutely thrilled to share with you my latest adventures! It's September 9th, 1776, and my sparkly pink tutu is feeling very patriotic today. 🇺🇸✨
This post is number 1389, and if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com to get all the latest ballet-related travel tips, historical tidbits, and of course, pink fashion inspo!
Today, I've journeyed to Paris, the city of lights! I think the pink tutu always seems to glow a bit brighter there. This month's journey is a particularly special one, as I'm delving into the world of ballet during the early years of the American Revolution!
As you all know, I adore my sweet Meg, my time-travelling shire horse, and she was especially delightful today, looking majestic in her shimmering pink halter and shimmering gold-hooved glory. Did you know that Shire horses originated in England? That makes her even more fabulous, don't you think? 🥰
Our trip was pretty seamless, thank goodness, as I was bursting with excitement to see what the world of ballet held. I was eager to learn what kind of moves were captivating the Parisian audiences in those times. And can you imagine, just a few months ago, they had a grand ball to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence! They do love a good party, don't they? 🎉
I spent a couple of hours in the bustling Parisian streets, watching the hustle and bustle of everyday life, feeling that oh-so-fabulous blend of history and fashion. There were men in breeches, ladies in their charming panniers and powdered wigs. It made me wish that there was more pink! I mean, how much more beautiful would the world be if everyone wore a little bit of pink, right? 💖
Of course, no trip to Paris in 1776 is complete without a visit to the Opéra Garnier, right? The building hadn't yet been completed, but imagine the buzz! Imagine the anticipation! The feeling of waiting for that first show to be unveiled. That was definitely on my "to-do" list today!
So, I popped into a local café for a delicious, very pink, macaron, grabbed a cuppa (Earl Grey, of course!), and got to delving into the history books. Turns out, the Parisian ballet scene in 1776 was just bursting with creativity. They had quite a few companies in operation. In fact, I even learned that Louis XIV’s Académie Royale de Danse was in full swing! Imagine, ladies, having a Royal Academy devoted to ballet! Isn’t that just absolutely fabulous? I bet they wore a lot of pink, too, but alas, history is silent on the colour palette! 😜
While ballet might not have had the spotlight as it does today, it was certainly not lacking in popularity! This time period was the start of the transition to a more Romantic approach to ballet, away from the grandeur of the Court. A little hint of that trend, I could feel it! You'll be thrilled to know, the performances weren't purely traditional – there was a touch of novelty as well! You know how I love to shake things up, and I feel a kinship with the ballet dancers of that time. 👯♀️
Speaking of shaking things up – and the novelties! – they were experimenting with more dramatic performances that explored more emotional themes. Imagine the drama, ladies! It really is about taking those bold steps, like our fellow ballerinas did so long ago. 💪
However, you might be wondering, how exactly did they keep the dancers on their toes with no YouTube tutorials and Pinterest inspiration? Well, they had a brilliant system! There was this amazing book called Théorie et Pratique de la Danse by Pierre Rameau. Talk about a game-changer! I was able to snag a copy for my rucksack – can you believe it? My backpack is overflowing with ballet stories and amazing finds, and now I’ve got this beauty! ✨
I bet there were some amazing tutu designs floating around as well, although my lovely leather satchel sadly didn’t have a single piece of old tutu fabric in it – it would have been heavenly to add to my collection! Maybe in my next trip! 😉
Even though the world of fashion and ballet looked a bit different in the 1770s, there was one common theme - an absolute reverence for graceful movement, poise, and beauty. These timeless principles of elegance that I embrace every time I slip on my tutu – aren't those things so beautiful? Isn't it incredible how these things haven't really changed over time?
Just imagine, you guys! The dancers in Paris, even those two-hundred-plus years ago, wore beautifully ornate costumes. Imagine, sparkling embellishments and graceful flounces – what could be better? That reminds me, I’ll need to make a quick trip to the vintage market to find some amazing materials for a new pink tutu!
As my pink tutu time travels draw to a close, it's quite fascinating how much of the foundations of the ballet world were laid in that time period, even as a new nation was born across the Atlantic. Ballet was a truly international affair! That really excites me for the future – as I can’t wait to visit more countries and uncover more secrets!
This September 9th was absolutely unforgettable! Thank you for coming on this journey with me, my dear readers. You’re my favourite little time-travelling dance fans! Remember, never be afraid to express yourself, take a chance, and, of course, wear your pink tutus with confidence! It’s time to spread the love for ballet and dance around the globe! 🥰 See you on the next trip!
P.S. - While I am a devoted ballet fan, I'd love to hear your stories too! What are your favorite time periods, what’s in your ballet collection, what colours do you like best for your own tutus? Tell me everything! I always enjoy reading your thoughts! 💕
Until next time, my lovelies! 💕💖
