#BalletHistory during 1687 12 December

Hello lovelies,

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com! It's Emma here, your trusty guide to all things ballet, and this month we're taking a trip back in time - all the way to 1687! I can hear your tutus rustling with excitement already! 😉

This month I’ve decided to skip the traditional theatre performances and instead I've decided to pay a visit to France, back to 1687 on 12th December to be precise. Why? Because I can’t believe it but this date in history sees one of the world's most renowned Ballet academies - the Académie Royale de Danse come into existence. Now this was a pretty big deal for the world of ballet at the time, a watershed moment, I say, and so it seems apt that Pink Tutu joins the fun!

Oh, by the way, my dear fellow ballet aficionados, have you heard about the Académie Royale de Danse before? Well, let me spill the tea, my darlings! It’s pretty much the heart and soul of French ballet, the beating heart of ballet itself - you could say! This glorious institution has been at the forefront of balletic innovation for centuries. It is where iconic choreographers, dazzling dancers, and legendary ballets like "La Sylphide" (that you can see every week here at The Royal Opera House in London, by the way) were born. Talk about an inspiring origin story! I just adore this little snippet of ballet history, it gives you all a chance to appreciate the beauty and artistry that is still so celebrated and enjoyed by the masses today.

Now, with Magic Meg by my side, (she looks absolutely ravishing in her pink saddle cloth, wouldn't you say?) I'm ready to whirl back through time! I’m hoping to find out all about this academy and maybe find a hidden treasure in the form of a vintage ballet shoe for my collection, you know the kind of thing! Who knows, perhaps I can find a real Académie Royale de Danse programme too!

I’ve donned my favourite tutu - I’ll show you all my ballet outfit later this week, by the way, in a fashion blog - I am wearing the most exquisite fuchsia coloured, multilayered tulle tutu, with an extravagant black and ivory ribbon! My ballet rucksack is slung over my shoulders, bursting with pink, ready to collect all sorts of ballet relics from the French court. Oh, the memories it will hold, just wait! It really is the ultimate pink-tutu traveller's essential, you know? I love knowing my trusty ballet backpack will have travelled from The Court of Versailles to London to Derbyshire – and all points in between, you see? How glamorous!

As I arrive in Versailles, France, I’m greeted by the hustle and bustle of the palace. It’s busy here - but oh my word, it is absolutely glorious! What do you expect, it is the palace of the Sun King (Louis XIV) himself. It was the peak of grandeur. The French court was as elegant as you might imagine and I’m eager to see what ballet marvels await! What a truly divine treat to take a walk back through time!

Speaking of dancing, you may have heard that there were few ballet productions going on in France this week (it seems ballet shows weren’t as big in December, you know?) but that does not mean it wasn't important, darling. In fact, dance was incredibly important, and this date in 1687 is even more exciting as the first formal recognition of this great form of entertainment was taking place - it is going to be one for the books. Imagine it; a Royal Academy dedicated to teaching and furthering dance and ballet in France!

Now this is something I can certainly get behind! It gives us a really insightful glimpse into how serious the people in the French Court took dancing! And what do you think the court has planned for today? You can guarantee that a few people from the court would have been working hard on an upcoming performance. Oh, I just want to know everything! What routines did they dance? How long did they rehearse? Where did they rehearse, was there a studio or was it all in the beautiful palace of Versailles.

Anyway, my time in Versailles has sadly come to an end, but, as you know, my next stop in my travels to celebrate Académie Royale de Danse will be back here at The Royal Opera House in London, but let me know if you want more details on this next time around in Pink Tutu’s ballet-history blogs.

And so until next month, lovelies. Let’s keep swirling and twirling on Pink-Tutu.com! Until then, stay fabulous, and Happy Dancing!

Much Love, Emma Xxx

P.S. Don’t forget to visit Pink Tutu on social media. I’d love to see pictures of you dancing in your favourite tutu. (Send your photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..) Let me know where in the world you are - I can even feature some of my favourite outfits! I'll share you on our instagram page with my special 'tutu followers'!

I thought I’d give you a little sneak peak of what I’ve been doing this week – because it was so exciting, you just had to see this!!

As I’m on the brink of the French Royal Court this week, you know it wouldn't be right unless I dressed to impress, wouldn't you say? It's about being on point. A bit like finding a fab outfit for the big dance gala - it needs to be super fancy! Now let’s see what my outfit for 1687 France has in store for you – be warned - you will be wanting it!

I was wearing a custom-made pale pink, layered tutu from a fantastic boutique on Old Bond Street. They have an incredible range of ballet fashion - it's the kind of tutu that you just wouldn’t get from your average dance store, and they even give a ballet style to my outfit that would turn heads. A stunning three layer tulle number in that gorgeous pastel shade of pink you can’t resist, with intricate details such as ivory ribbons that really completed my ballet ensemble. And just to finish things off – it is the most flattering thing to wear on Magic Meg.

I just knew I wanted something super dramatic - it is the French Court! You’ll never see me with out my special bodice, and for my visit to the Royal Court I’m wearing one that is custom made to complement my amazing pastel pink tutu. This masterpiece is black velvet, with pearl embellishments. Just you wait, I'll give you a detailed close up of it next month! It's something you can get away with for all your important occasions - I've worn it on several occasions to The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and to several shows at The Saddler’s Wells theatre - oh the memories.

Well now this part of the outfit is crucial – to make it a little bit special! Think hair buns, hair extensions and of course all that glorious tulle - with my little head band you really do have the perfect 1687 ensemble for any trip through time!

Now that's not everything, by the way, because as I'm a full-fledged ballet lover - how could you even think about missing a beautiful matching pink beret! It goes great with any outfit - even more so when I'm out for a shopping spree in Versailles or at my favourite London boutiques – yes, I really have been doing all my ballet shopping at Liberty’s – where else can you get ballet fashions like that, my darling? I’m sure they’d have delighted the Court back in 1687 too.

And remember to get all the best ballet fashion gossip from my special edition ballet blog every month, all about the most exciting styles in ballet. Just take a peek here in the ballet section at Pink-Tutu.com. It will have the inside scoop on everything - so what are you waiting for!

And now to Magic Meg – let’s not forget our wonderful, most reliable time travel pal. Magic Meg was, of course, decked out in all her finest horse-attire. I know it’s not always about the best shoes (even for a ballerina) so I thought it was about time to introduce you to Meg and her beautiful, custom pink saddle cloth – as the pink shade complements my look so well! She was just the prettiest thing! You will have to get ready to take your time admiring her - just like a star at the Royal Ballet – I'm just saying! And don’t forget all the fabulous details in my latest horse accessories - they just give the ultimate ballet finish! And then - just you wait for my horse grooming essentials - don’t say I didn't warn you – oh it is all so wonderful.

Oh - that was an exhausting, thrilling day. But this is why Pink-Tutu's a fashion, dance and time-travel blog. Do keep checking Pink-Tutu for regular posts about fashion, ballet history and my next dance adventure.

See you soon – it’s all so thrilling - this life is wonderful!

Until then, Love & Dancing from Emma xxx