Hello my lovely ballet-loving darlings! Welcome to Post #1390 of the Pink Tutu Time Travels blog. Today we're stepping back in time, soaring through the centuries on Magic Meg, my magnificent pink sparkling shire horse with those gorgeous golden hooves and white mane. Oh, wouldn't she be stunning in a pink tutu, don't you think?
This month we're whisking ourselves back to the 10th of October 1776, a date ripe with revolution and excitement! Don't worry, darlings, no political pronouncements from me today, just ballet! 🩰
The year is 1776, and across the Atlantic, the American colonies are busy declaring their independence. But, while America is grappling with politics, over in Europe, the world of ballet is abuzz!
My pink tutu, today, it’s positively sparkling with the sheer thrill of it all! Can you imagine what it must have been like to be a ballerina in 1776? The elegance, the grace, the passion! It truly was a golden age.
I love to think about how ballerinas, in their silken costumes, performed on stages across Europe, entertaining royalty and captivating audiences. I’ve already got several of my own fabulous pink tutus from the 1700s in my collection – you can just imagine them dancing and twirling, feeling the rhythm of the music, and stealing every heart in the room.
Now, back to my trusty steed, Magic Meg. Her white mane is flowing, her pink sparkle shimmering as we whisk back in time to find out just what the world of ballet was doing on this day. It's like a whirlwind of tulle, taffeta and tiny steps. We’re ready to delve into this historical ballet ballet bonanza!
Dancing the Night Away!
Back in Derbyshire, England, I’m ready to hop on Magic Meg, a smile on my face, a little blush on my cheeks (from all the pink!) as we head towards a rather significant event in the world of ballet - a special premiere. Can you imagine what ballet in Derbyshire in 1776 would have been like? No grand theaters or international companies, just the sheer magic of local ballet. It makes you truly appreciate the art form and how far it has come.
This very day, the 10th of October, in Derbyshire, a ballet premiere takes place at the Derby Theatre. Sadly, records from that era are slim, but imagine the sheer joy of a ballet performance! It’s about as exciting as a twirling ballerina in a perfectly pink tutu, and that, darlings, is extremely exciting!
Now, back in 1776, a ballet wouldn’t have looked quite like the ones we’re used to today. No grand jeté or fouetté turns for our Derby ballerinas! However, it would have been a truly charming spectacle, full of nimble footwork and elegant arm movements, performed perhaps by some talented young ladies in the local village.
But I do like to imagine… I imagine ballerinas in the most breathtaking silk gowns, maybe a touch of lace for a touch of decadence. Imagine the light glimmering off their glittering costumes as they grace the stage – now that's pure ballet magic! Perhaps they danced to music by a local orchestra, with violins sweetly playing in the air – oh, the romance! Even back then, those passionate pirouettes and intricate footwork must have mesmerised the audience. It would have been a ballet experience unlike any other. And, of course, they wouldn't have had any fancy pink tutus, or Magic Meg to bring them to life.
Just a little side note for my fellow pink-tutu enthusiasts, the 1770s were actually a bit of a lull for the fashion of ballet. We wouldn’t see the dramatic tutu come in till the 1840s and beyond, but don't despair. A hundred years later, those amazing tulle confections would appear in their full glory! It seems the pink tutu was a late bloomer, but isn't that a perfect little twist in our pink tutu journey?
A Day for Fashion!
Now, since it's a ballet history blog, you know we need to dive a little into the fashion of the era. You could never, ever talk about ballet history without considering those incredible costumes.
The 1770s in England were about soft lines, flowing fabrics and just the right touch of embellishment, but, of course, not a hint of pink tutus! Ladies of this period adorned themselves in what I would consider rather boring pastel tones, but I suppose you need a bit of classic to make that bright pink tutu pop! (Not that it ever really needs much help – pink tutus have the magic touch of confidence that will turn heads anywhere.) The colour of the day was all about blues and lavender, and a few of those romantic shades of pinks (but nowhere near our brilliant bright pink!) - imagine pastel pink ribbon tied delicately around a ballerina’s ankle or bodice! It would have been breathtakingly subtle!
Oh! And remember my fashionistas, hats were huge, and I mean HUGE, and some ladies even dared to rock the frilly bonnet! Just try not to picture them taking a big plié and losing the entire ensemble - disaster! The bigger the bonnet, the bigger the spectacle, I always say! They really do elevate a ballet outfit, giving an extra layer of grandeur and elegance to their every step. Imagine the movement, a touch of romance, the light glinting off those ribbons and feathers as they spin, twirl and glide across the stage – pure artistry.
Oh, don’t get me started on the footwear, my darlings. Gone were those elegant ballet shoes. Instead, they wore delicate silk stockings and fashionable shoes, often adorned with intricate lace, and possibly, maybe even a tiny rosette on the toe.
Now, this might be an odd thought, but just picture it – those ladies with their silks and laces and not a single tutu in sight! Just imagine if they could step out in our glorious modern tutu, all the colour and the fun – how truly dazzling that would be. We might need to slip into our pink time travel to go and tell them!
But wait a minute! Don't we need to find out if any ballet shoes, of that era, have found their way into my collection? Just hold your tutus! My treasure hunt through history begins! I’ve got the biggest grin on my face and my hands are tingling! What would a 1770s shoe look like? Could it even hold up under all those pirouettes? My rucksack is practically begging me to dive in and get exploring!
Oh, my darlings, you’ll need to wait till next month for that exciting peek into my collection. I just have to race against the clock, or rather the calendar! Before you know it, it will be next month, and we have to start preparing for a very special trip back in time - it involves Paris and all things tutus and more. So be sure to come back for our next post – you wouldn't want to miss it!
Until next month, happy twirling and, of course, happy tutu-wearing! Don’t forget to visit us at www.pink-tutu.com where we keep the ballet flame burning brightly. Let’s keep our tutu dreams alive!
See you all next month, my lovelies! 💖
Emma
