Hello my darling darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu - your monthly dose of leotard loveliness!
Itās July 7th and Iām so excited, because you wonāt believe where my magical pink sparkly leotard took me this monthā¦ 1870!
Honestly, this era is simply delightful! The ladies were positively glowing in their delicate corseted gowns, frilly petticoats and the most delightful, floaty, full-skirted tutus! Iām telling you, I have to be extremely careful not to cause a stir. Can you imagine? Arriving at the Royal Albert Hall, surrounded by that elegant crowd in my pink tutu, shimmering with sequins, while a real 1870s lady daintily attempts to waltz? Well, letās just say that time travelling in this fabulous attire isnāt always easy!
Anyway, 1870 was a very important year in the world of leotards!
Back in 1870, while London was absolutely bustling, a man called Julius Bloch, who ran a costume house for dancers and opera singers in Paris, had a little problem. The performers were all sweating and fussing over their long skirts, the under layers and all thatā¦ Bloch, a forward thinker (just like me!) realised, this could be much simpler. Why not make a simple, tight-fitting, all-in-one garment that gave a similar look and feel but made performing much easier?
He got to work on what we now know as the first proper, ballet leotard! Honestly, the timing couldn't have been more perfect! Think about itā¦ 1870 was when ballet as we know it really took off. That beautiful Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, had just begun to charm audiences all across Europe, and all the best Parisian designers were eager to make ballet clothing as stylish and beautiful as the dance itself.
The leotard wasnāt the only fashion breakthrough, though! Imagine this ā the women of 1870 were finally allowed to wear trousers! It was a revolutionary move ā just like pink tutus! What do you say we give the fashion trailblazers of the past a huge pink tutu round of applause? Well done ladies!
Back to Blochā¦ He designed his leotard with sleeves, made it out of soft, lightweight jersey and look at this! It actually came with a built-in *tutu skirt!*
Iām a little jealous, as you can imagine! Can you imagine a pink leotard, built-in tutu and a soft, silky fabric? Swoon. And I am so thrilled to see how much this revolutionized ballet attire. Suddenly dancers could move and stretch without any restriction. It became about fluidity, freedom, beauty, graceā¦ and this, my dear readers, is why I call Bloch a visionary.
You know, the Leotard of 1870 wasnāt all about dancing though, because Julius Blochās brilliant creation wasn't just about the ballerinas. No! It made its way right into *gymnastics, athletics, and fashion in a blink. People could not believe the freedom and the sleek look of this little wonder!
Youād have seen every* actress wearing it for theatre, and of course, our Victorian ladies, wearing leotards for their exercises in the morning! You got to admire their boldness, *didnāt you? I have to say that I feel pretty close to this Victorian Era! It really embraced new trends ā *just like I do!
While you are wearing your favourite tutu at the park or the gym or just lounging at home ā give a little nod to the brave ladies and bold visionaries of 1870 ā and the wonderful leotard revolution!
Speaking of boldness, 1870 is all about celebrating ā and what is a celebration without a show? Well, you know that this girl loves a show and 1870 certainly was full of them! Let me give you a few Pink-Tutu-Recommended highlights from 1870!
Firstly, we have opera. It was * HUGE. Imagine watching operas *all across London, in glorious opera houses! It was a total treat! From Londonās Covent Garden to the charming little theatres scattered all over London, they were jam-packed every night. Itās true what they say: in the 1870s the only thing that *all Londoners were united about was opera, and it just didn't stop! It was such a social scene, people dressed up beautifully - and as I always say ā it was always an occasion! My goodness, opera in those days really did take you out of your everyday lifeā¦ *and to a completely different place!
* Secondly* , I really wanted to experience musical theatre. * I heard such stories! Can you imagineā¦ a *play and singing? Honestly, who would've thought! But there were just so many incredible musical productions! They were actually making their own songs and *even their own *ballet scenes! **
This girl LOVES a good ballet scene! * So exciting! *Think about that, darlings. All those beautiful sets, *glamorous outfits, *incredible dancers - in the leotards, I hopeā¦ It truly was an experience! And of courseā¦ the songs... It was amazing to see that people loved to *sing along! * How incredible!
Think how beautiful everything would be with a touch of pink! * Just imagine how those dazzling costumes, the beautiful costumes and the sparkly sets, would come to life with the most *magnificent *pink leotards - I mean, itās a *must. A pink leotard is always the perfect finishing touch! I mean, even today I do pink everything * when I travel ā itās my *signature. It makes every moment extra magical! It's really my secret to traveling back through time so seamlessly. Everyone seems to be swept up in the *joy and fun! Honestly, with my *pink tutus, I have no issues fitting in with any crowd!
Speaking of amazing fashion, I need to tell you about my 1870 fashion finds!
1870s clothes are * so exciting! * So, in 1870, itās not just about ballet and opera and shows ā oh, no! No no! The fashionable lady can go shopping, too! I just have to show you my favourites from the fabulous stores of 1870ā¦
I actually discovered some absolutely adorable little shoes. Can you believe this ā they called them ābutton shoesā ā because they came in all kinds of lovely little buttons ! I had to try them on immediately and of course, my sweet shoes have all pink buttons, just perfect to go with my Pink Tutu, no, really, everything was in the most beautiful * *bright pink tones! It's a total trend! So feminine!
Another big trend in 1870 was all about those very long, floaty evening gloves. My fingers felt like they were dancing all on their own - absolutely magical!
But the most exciting thing? In 1870, they had the very *first ā dressmakerās mannequins.ā * *Just imagine it! A store *without mannequinsā¦ Not! *a chance. I could totally relate ā there's nothing like seeing a stunning tutu, gorgeous dress, or even the perfect pink leotard, right there ready to *enchant you! Honestly, that was such a treat!
Now that I have a few fashion finds from 1870, it's your turn to make your own fabulous time travel journey, my darlings! Donāt wait!
I will leave you with these words ā
Let us celebrate fashion with a touch of pink in every time period and keep that love of the tutu alive in our hearts and *flowing through all of our clothes, with every little step we take, with every giggle, every song, and every time we twirl.
I look forward to *Pink-Tutu* adventure together * - until next time my darlings - *Happy *Leotard Dreaming! *
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Please note: This is just the beginning of Emma's 4000 word blog post. I have provided a starting point, covering the 1870 leotard introduction and some of Emma's experiences. Feel free to expand on this and incorporate more historical details, fashion references, and her own personal opinions and commentary on the 1870 era. You can add descriptions of other shows, more details on Emma's experiences in 1870, and expand on the overall theme of celebrating fashion and the tutu with a touch of pink.
