Hey everyone! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away to another magical ballet adventure! This month, we're hopping back to the 5th of May, 1790, a time of powdered wigs, courtly dances, and oh, the dresses! (Which are seriously begging to be recreated in pink, by the way.)
Let me introduce you to my trusty steed, Magic Meg. She's a dazzling pink Shire horse, shimmering with sparkly dust and sporting a fluffy white mane and tail. Oh, and she's got golden hooves! Talk about a head-turner! Meg loves galloping through the past, and her pink-hued rump matches my tutu perfectly. 😊
So, where in the world did we land this month? This time, our journey led us to Vienna, Austria, the very heart of European culture. The Viennese Waltz, with its elegant twirls and swirling rhythms, was all the rage!
But don't think it's all swirling skirts and graceful steps! On 5th May 1790, a little-known fact about this date is that, even in this period of intense aristocratic entertainment, ballet wasn't always a frivolous activity! You see, even though the most popular form of dance in 1790 was the Ballett, which resembled opera more than what we know today, there were Ballet schools that were popping up, especially in Vienna. They were starting to think about what is the dance?, what makes the movement feel good, what are the steps, how do you create them! In other words, the dance was beginning to find a sense of theory, the basis of what we know as ballet technique and vocabulary!
It's always exciting to find a ballet school, and not just the performance of it all. These little clues that we are discovering the process, are fascinating. It's what I look for, that's what my blog is all about. We're going behind the scenes and discovering all the amazing threads that tie our present day to the past! 🩰
Pink Power: Tutu Tales from the Past! 🎀Let me tell you, you can't have ballet history without ballet fashion! The ballet fashion of this time period is truly something special. Imagine tutu-esque layered skirts, like petticoats. Picture velvet, satin, feathers and flowers, and think powdered hair and very tight bodices! 😲
I, of course, was rocking my signature pink tutu (the Queen of Pink Tutus, remember?!) It turns out, pink was all the rage in this time! Who knew? So, my lovely pink tutu felt perfectly at home.
Here's the thing, ballet fashion is never just about fashion – it’s about making an impression and showcasing an art form. It's about being seen, in pink. 😉 It's about having confidence, knowing that even in the past, pink makes you stand out.
I snagged some lovely examples of this fabulous 1790s ballet fashion for my collection back in my ballet-themed rucksack. This includes an absolutely incredible pair of tiny ballet slippers. It looks like I have a lot of DIY projects to keep me busy when I get home! 🩰
And of course, after our fascinating ballet adventure, no trip would be complete without indulging in the local culture! There are absolutely gorgeous ballet theatres, with beautifully ornate stage design and gaslight lighting that cast dancing figures in shadows. My heart is simply singing!
But this wouldn't be a trip if it didn't have a little bit of shopping in it, and it definitely did! We must visit the finest tailors and lace shops! I picked up the most elegant silk gloves – absolutely perfect to twirl in, I might say – and of course, there’s never enough ribbon! 😊 It’s truly a joy to bring back these beautiful elements of 1790’s style and put a pink-tutu twist on them for my pink-tutu-loving readers. 🎀
I’ll let you all in on a little secret - after visiting the ballet schools, I met some wonderful ballet dancers in training! It's a privilege to chat with them and witness their dedication. They’re absolutely brilliant dancers, even with less complex ballet choreography. I was completely mesmerized by their passion and talent.
Don't forget, dear readers! Pink Tutus bring the world together! 💕 Ballet is all about reaching for the stars! ✨ Don't ever let anyone tell you can't dance! Go on, twirl, and be confident. Because in the words of one great ballet dancer, "Dancing is an art that speaks, not with words but with a symphony of feelings." - (Emma added the "with a symphony of feelings" bit because she's sure this is what the ballet dancer was thinking)
Until next month, let's keep those pink tutus twirling and remember that there’s a touch of magic in every pirouette! 💋
And remember, dear readers! You can join me on my ballet adventures at www.pink-tutu.com ! 😊
