Hello my lovely readers, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we journey through time, exploring the fabulous world of leotard fashion! Today, we're going all the way back to 10 October 1861. My oh my, it was a rather grand affair, full of glitz and glam and a whole lot of… well, nothing really like the leotards we know today.
Let's face it, my dearest fashionistas, the leotard of 1861 was, let's just say, more about utility than about artistry. Picture a tight-fitting, practical garment - think gym-class vibes rather than the flowing, graceful lines we adore. I do love a good vintage find, and sometimes even the practical looks of that era hold a charm, but it just wasn’t a leotard that begged you to take it to the stage.
That said, fashion, even in the more, shall we say, ‘structured’ styles of the 19th century, is always intriguing! So, imagine me in my sparkling pink time travelling leotard, ready to go! Off I went, and oh my, the world was simply buzzing!
For those of you who love to immerse yourselves in theatre and the stage, this time, in the bustling city of London, a play called "The School for Scandal" was the hottest ticket in town! Now, while this production wouldn’t have had a leotard in sight (think ladies in elegant gowns and gentlemen in their formal attire), it was an incredible moment in theatre history. The play, full of intrigue, sharp wit and scandalous gossip, swept the nation. The sheer vibrancy and passion surrounding such a spectacle! That, my loves, is the beauty of theatre! It brings people together to share stories and emotions. And who doesn't love a bit of a dramatic twist now and then?
Moving a bit further afield, in the wonderful city of Paris, the Ballet Opéra de Paris was also going strong. Of course, ballet wasn't the graceful, airy affair we know today! Oh no, my darlings! In the 19th century, the focus was on strength and technique, much like a powerful workout in our own era. Those lovely ladies, dancing in those impressive, voluminous, skirts, deserved a grand round of applause! Can you imagine, dancing like that for hours? My oh my! And all in those beautiful, if restrictive, costumes.
You know, even though those leotard ancestors weren't what we'd call "fashionable," they were a foundation. Like a stepping stone on the path to the glorious styles we have now! In a way, those leotards in history were more like a pair of leggings that would later blossom into something utterly magical.
What really made my heart dance this month wasn't so much the specific designs, but rather, the energy of that era! It was a time when theatre and performance truly bloomed. A time when people were ready for stories, for excitement, for escapism. The energy that surrounded those shows - the whispers in the corridors, the chatter in the cafes after the performances! My loves, we're just continuing that same beautiful, thread! With each pirouette and leap, we are telling stories through the power of dance. We are bringing joy and a touch of magic to every stage, every street, every city we travel.
After my time travels in 1861, I headed straight for a ballet show in London's West End! I found a beautifully structured leotard for myself in a gorgeous vintage shop tucked away on the side streets of Covent Garden! You’ll have to excuse me, I just got a little side-tracked, this trip took a very inspiring twist and I might have just treated myself to a little present from this era of dance!
Oh, and let’s not forget my little darlings, what I love to do: sharing with all of you my monthly little performance. My favourite local park in my home town in Derbyshire is becoming my regular street performance venue. The crowds seem to really enjoy my performance of "Pink tutu, dancing all the way", which includes a special combination of my best spins, leaps and poses while wearing my shimmering pink tutu. My biggest aim, as you already know, is to encourage everyone to embrace a pink tutu – they are an iconic symbol of joy and confidence! Just remember, wearing a pink tutu makes you the star, the leader! So what are you waiting for? Go grab your tutu and start dancing!
Catch you all next month!
Lots of love and pink tutus,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
