Helloooo my darlings! It’s Emma, your pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, here! Welcome to another sparkly installment of Pink Tutu Adventures. This month, my magical leotard whisked me back to the grand year of 1870!
Hold onto your tiaras, girls, because this month’s journey is a real humdinger!
As I landed with a twirl in the heart of London (with a flourish, of course!) I knew I was in for a right treat. I absolutely adored the grandeur of the Victorian era. The buildings! The ladies' bustles! The magnificent hats! But what truly caught my eye was the leotard fashion, oh my!
First, a quick spot of tea, wouldn’t you agree? The lovely ladies at Fortnum & Mason offered me a delectable cuppa in a china teacup adorned with delicate flowers. (Their afternoon tea service is truly sublime.)
Anyway, as I sat and sipped, my ears were graced by a delightful chatter about the "danseuses". Seems this new style of ballet was causing quite a stir! Oh, how I wanted to sneak a peek at those beautiful leotards. Back in 1870, they were still experimenting with styles. But they were embracing the freedom of movement and elegance that this new, streamlined style of garment allowed.
I finally found myself in a small theatre on Drury Lane. The air was electric with anticipation. I spotted some young ballerinas, their silken costumes flowing with each graceful turn, wearing the first iterations of the leotard. This was a revolutionary garment. The ballet was moving from the elaborate pantomimes with long and heavy gowns to an expressive form of movement that truly showcased the dancer’s beauty.
You see, the classic tutu of the modern ballerina was still evolving. Instead of our familiar full skirt, many ballerinas wore a sort of ‘pannier tutu’ which still offered a lovely dramatic shape, but was less fluffy than what we know today. Some even danced in very simple, practical costumes, just a thin cotton dress with some ribbons, much like the gymnastic leotard we know and love now. I’m dreaming of travelling to that point in history when dancers embraced that ‘free the leg’ design with the long leggings style !
Then I did what every modern, travelling-in-time-girl must do- I took a spin around London town in my sparkly pink tutu. I stopped to buy some delectable gingerbread from a street vendor, and even struck up a chat with a rather charming gent at a bustling London market who admired my fashion. He looked bewildered by my bright pink tutu! (Just imagine! No tutus in 1870 except in the ballet. And no, I don’t think he believed I time travelled, bless him.)
My day culminated with the ultimate indulgence: A theatrical performance. A grand ballet held in a magnificent theatre. The chandeliers shimmered, and the applause thundered. I felt right at home, surrounded by the magic of the dance, with those amazing, intricate leotards flowing and twirling across the stage. The dancers' moves were captivating - pure artistry! You wouldn’t believe how inspiring this whole experience has been, my loves. It made me really think about how leotard design has transformed with the years. It is truly an evolution, and each style captures its own unique elegance.
Later that evening, I met a lovely lady, the costume designer for a popular local ballet company. And what an honour! Her workshop was filled with bolts of fabric and dazzling embroidery! She told me how a revolutionary new technology that is sweeping Europe - a new machine that allows the production of beautiful fabric at an incredible speed - was having a big impact on her leotard designs. Now dancers have the option to have gorgeous patterns woven into their garments which allows for much more expression with colours and shapes!
The impact of the machine was incredible, too! She was already starting to use a range of fabrics that were made easier and cheaper to make, and the leotard styles were adapting! The new materials were also allowing the designs to become even more daring. She even showed me a gorgeous velvet and silk leotard she'd just made for a ballerina, one which had delicate ribbons and a new "tutu skirt " - It was a revolutionary leotard that was designed to highlight the dancer's every move, with a sleek shape that seemed almost designed to create the illusion of floating!
Isn’t this time travel magic! It really makes me appreciate all of the beautiful and innovative leotard designs that we see on stage and in fashion today, because the history is a testament to a world where creativity knows no bounds.
So, my darlings, I have a task for you this month: Go out and dance like there’s no tomorrow! Pick out your favorite leotard or find some beautiful new fabrics. The more we twirl in our love of leotard style, the brighter our world will shine!
Until next time, happy dancing and sparkly adventures!
Love,
Emma 💕
* www.pink-tutu.com *
