Post #167
Hello fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to my blog, Pink-Tutu.com, your portal to the wondrous world of ballet, fashion, and a little bit of magic. November is upon us, the crisp air tinged with the promise of twinkling lights and crackling fires, and as always, it's a perfect time for a dash through time, my trusty, pink-sparkling Meg in tow.
Today, my little darlings, we're going back to 1674. Imagine, if you will, the streets of Paris, cobblestones echoing the sound of carriages and bustling footfall. There’s a definite "Old World" charm, but fashion isn't what we might envision! Think ornate fabrics, extravagant hats, and … well, it’s certainly not tutu territory! That, my dears, was still in its embryonic stages!
Now, I’m not going to tell you it was a time for ballet in the sense we understand it today. Sure, there were elements of dancing, but more akin to theatrical dances in courts. The very name 'ballet' itself wouldn't be fully recognized for a few more decades, and our much-loved point shoes were lightyears away.
Back to the Beginning of "Ballet"
If you can imagine, way back then, a small group of Italian artists, basically dancing their hearts out at the courts of King Louis XIV – Le Roi Soleil, they called him! This particular group was the brainchild of one Mr. Pierre Beauchamps, a name well-known in the history of ballet. It was he who decided to move dance away from those rather stiff courtly movements, giving rise to something a little more fluid and theatrical – they actually called it “L’Académie Royale de Danse.”
These talented folks weren't just leaping about for their own amusement, you see! Their job was to impress the King. Think fancy court balls, a dazzling array of outfits, and theatrical, almost story-telling movements. They weren’t telling the stories like Swan Lake, or Sleeping Beauty just yet, but it was certainly the start of ballet in its broader form.
Fashion? A La Mode My Dearies
Speaking of dazzling outfits – Oh my goodness! It seems fashion back then, was more about grand elegance than functionality. Think long, sweeping skirts with elaborate embellishments, cinched waists and, yes, they actually had huge wigs! Can you imagine balancing on your toes, in your shoes, with a headpiece as big as a pie dish? Me neither!
Oh, and you’re probably wondering about the absence of tutus. They were simply not around! What did they wear? Think more about those gorgeous, elaborate robes – A la Mode, the French called them!
Let’s Make Some Tutu History
The real question now is this: What can we do to spark a pink tutu revolution in the world of 1674? Perhaps a touch of shimmer, a hint of softness amongst the grand finery? Maybe a bit of my pink ballet-tastic flair will inspire! Imagine those courtly dancers wearing a hint of pink under their grand costumes – now that’s what I call historical flair!
Our November Adventures:
Let’s start small, with our pink flair, shall we? My trusty rucksack is already bulging with ballet-inspired goodies - shimmering ribbons for those ornate robes, perhaps, and a few soft, blush-toned scarves to inspire those graceful moves. Imagine a gentle, pink tutu fluttering amongst those intricate, ornate garments. Now, THAT’S a statement!
The Ballet Buzz for 11th November 1674
Remember how those French dancers made the King their own, by using ballet as entertainment, as storytelling? We could call that "Performance Art" – though it may be a bit of a jump for those folks back then! Imagine bringing a bit of the world to their little dance floor, the drama of a Grand Jeté, the graceful extension of a Balancé. What impact that could have!
Oh my goodness, my dears, I am brimming with excitement. Imagine the pink ballet wave I can create - a pink wave washing across time. I can't wait to see what a touch of our 21st-century ballet world can do to that historical scene!
That's it for this time travel diary, darlings. Until next month! Don't forget to follow me on all our social media channels, where we can all share our pink-tutu joy and dreams of ballet's endless possibilities.
Always remember, a pink tutu isn’t just an outfit – it’s a state of mind, and in the world of ballet, it’s time for some fun.
Until then, keep those tutus twirling, darlings!
With much love,
Emma x
