Hello darlings, and welcome to Pink-Tutu! This month, we're taking a time travelling trip to November 11th, 1864. Buckle up your leotards and grab your tutus, because we're about to delve into the fabulous world of ballet fashion from a time before pointe shoes even graced the stage!
This month, I donned my trusty time travelling, shimmering pink leotard, and landed with a poof of glittery dust, smack-bang in the middle of 19th-century Paris. It was like stepping into a ballet storybook!
You see, darlings, while we now associate ballet with tight-fitting leotards and impossibly elegant tutus, back in the 1860s, dancers were sporting rather different styles. Picture a skirt that could comfortably house a small tea party - and that, my darlings, is a rather accurate representation of what they were wearing!
It wasn't until the later part of the 19th century that the costumes started resembling what we see today. Back then, it was all about the romance, darling. The more frills, the better! Think floor-length skirts, billowing fabrics, and a whole lot of layers, creating the impression of airy lightness that, quite frankly, made getting around on stage a challenge!
As I danced my way through this whirlwind of historical fashion, I found myself in the enchanting foyer of the Paris Opera House. This was a hotbed of ballet activity. There, amidst a flurry of whispers and rustles of silks, I spotted Mademoiselle Fanny Elssler, one of the most celebrated dancers of her day. Her dress, my darlings, was a marvel! Imagine a flowing white silk skirt, almost reaching the ground, adorned with delicate lace and floral embellishments, paired with a fitted bodice that highlighted her graceful figure. She wore a tiny floral headdress that wouldn't look out of place in a modern fashion magazine. What a style icon!
Seeing her gave me inspiration, and you know what they say, dear readers - inspiration is my fashion muse! Back in my Derbyshire home, I'm currently working on recreating this look for my next performance. My street ballet show is always full of surprises, and the next one will certainly have a hint of the Victorian ballet scene.
To bring a little bit of 1864 glamour into your lives, dear readers, try incorporating a little bit of the period fashion trends into your everyday leotards. Think lacy details, silk accents, and a generous amount of delicate ruffles! We can embrace vintage styles while still being fabulous and, dare I say, fabulously pink!
But enough about the past, darling. This month's leotard spotlight is a true gem. Oh, how I just love how things have changed, dear reader. The ballet fashion we see on the stages today is so breathtaking, with those sleek and athletic silhouettes, showing off the grace of the dancers, whilst allowing for unparalleled flexibility and movement.
Here in my little corner of Derbyshire, I'm still getting over the magnificent performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" I saw at the Royal Ballet a few weeks back. It was just enchanting! Especially those glittering, swirling costumes designed by the wonderful, wonderfully creative, Christopher Hampson. They looked like pure magic. I know they probably wouldn't have passed muster back in the 1860s. Those fabulous skirts would have been an absolute tangle! But they are perfect now, don't you think, darling? The detail in each leotard, the colour, the cut, just perfect for the era of graceful athleticism, for all to see, and, dare I say, dream of joining in.
So, as we move into December, let's make a toast, darling, to the changing world of leotard fashion and keep those dreams of ballet in pink tutus, strong! See you all next month, dear readers, on Pink-Tutu!
Until then, may your leotards sparkle and your dance be filled with joy!
Emma xx
