Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller. It’s a beautiful morning here in Derbyshire, but it’s even more exciting as today’s a travel day. Today, we’re going to venture back in time to 2nd February, 1779 – get your dancing shoes ready for some fascinating ballet history, plus I’ve got a particularly gorgeous vintage tutu in my collection to show you, a true vintage find!
Before we dive into the world of ballet, let’s chat about Meg, my trusty time-travelling steed! Today, her mane is shimmering extra sparkly - we’re heading back to an era of powdered wigs and elaborate gowns, and she’s looking her most majestic. You know me, a girl always wants to match the period, and when I say match, I mean, Meg has been wearing a fetching pink ribbon today! 😉
So, the year is 1779. Now, ballet, in its earlier days, was truly a performance of the elite, the rich, and the noble. We’re talking lavish balls and court dances, ballet was considered a beautiful expression of society. Imagine! An entire country captivated by dance, how much glamour, right?
You know me and my love for ballet fashion, especially the tutus! 🤫 Today, I’m wearing this fabulous, super fluffy tutu. It’s made of the softest pale pink tulle, delicately hand-stitched and decorated with some genuine antique hand-painted lace. I even have a special little detail that I think is amazing; there's a tiny rosebud delicately sewn right onto the waistline - a reminder that romance and beauty were always part of ballet’s essence.
On The Scene in 1779
What was happening in the world of ballet in 1779? I’m excited to say that ballet had started to move beyond royal courts and into the public realm, opening doors for wider audiences to enjoy this beautiful art form.
France was, of course, the heart of ballet at this time, the famed Paris Opera Ballet continued its reign. It was the place where dancers trained under some of the most revered ballet masters in the world. A visit to Paris in 1779 would have offered a glimpse of groundbreaking ballets like La Dansomanie, a tale of a man possessed by the dance – truly intriguing.
Italy was another hotbed for ballet. A trip to a grand Italian theater, maybe in Venice or Milan, would have offered the spectacle of grand performances infused with drama and incredible costuming.
And across the Atlantic in America, ballet was just beginning to find its footing, with a thriving theatre scene starting to bloom in the bigger cities.
A Dash of Fashion
So, ladies (and gents!), let's imagine ourselves strolling through a grand 18th century salon! 💅💃 What are the ballet-inspired fashions of the day? Well, we're talking flowing silks, richly patterned satins and layers upon layers of soft, delicate fabrics – the ultimate in femininity!
We might even be seeing the first iterations of the Romantic era, that dreamy, whimsical, graceful ballet period which I absolutely adore. A touch of ballet history can be seen in some of these historical gowns – look for flowing silhouettes, high-waisted designs, and elegant accessories that would bring the dance to life right in your home.
Of course, all the colours have to be pink – pink is the ballet colour! The soft pastels, like a blush pink, a whisper of pale pink - so divine and a touch more understated, perfect for our 1779 setting.
Time to Pack Up
Well, my darlings, it’s time to return. It's been amazing to share this ballet adventure in time! As you all know, I love my ballet items, especially the antique items. So I'm adding another amazing tutu, the one I’m wearing right now, to my collection. I've found this magnificent 1779 book, full of sketches of ballet costumes from that period. What treasures these past times offer! I’m sure you are all eager to see my latest find at my studio and antique tutu shop next month – my collections are getting quite impressive!
Until then, keep your tutu dreams alive.
See you on the 1st of March!
With much love,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
