Hello, darlings! Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another enchanting jaunt through the swirling fabric of history. It’s time to take a dip in the archives of leotard fashion, and I’m thrilled to share an exciting journey into the heart of the 1870s with you!
This month, our pink time machine, glittering with the sparkle of a thousand dreams, brought us to the 6th of June, 1871. Picture it: cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and gaslight illuminating a world just beginning to grasp the potential of electric light. It's a time of change, where traditional fashion norms were starting to feel a little… well, stuffy. Enter the ballet!
Yes, darling, even in 1871, the dance world was pushing the boundaries of fashion with graceful abandon. You can imagine my absolute delight, arriving in this shimmering pink tutu, just a few years after the glorious danseuse Loïe Fuller burst onto the Parisian scene with her pioneering take on ballet!
Remember, back in the Victorian era, tutus, with their dramatic lengths and frills, were not yet the mainstay of the ballerina's wardrobe. In fact, this style was relatively new. The romantic tutu, a graceful swirl of tulle reaching down to the ballerina’s knees, was still in its nascent stages. I think, wouldn’t you agree? A lovely look for a modern dance, I whispered to myself, admiring a young dancer perfecting her steps, but the leotard... well, let’s just say, it’s got some catching up to do.
Back then, the leotard was very much an undergarment. Think tight-fitting cotton with minimal embellishment. Where was the pizazz? The playfulness? The bold colour palette? We wouldn't dream of seeing that style on the streets today! But thankfully, change was in the air, even back then.
You see, the late 1860s saw a rise in popularity of tights and fitted athletic wear for women, mainly for physical exercises, though very few considered these to be acceptable attire outside the confines of a gym! This is what caught my attention this month, darlings, and this movement had everything to do with the rise of ballet!
I spotted a striking advertisement in a local paper for a ballet school offering classes in both ‘gentle exercises for ladies’ and danse classe! It mentioned ‘artistic dress' as an option for ballet classes, including the tantalisingly new *‘French leg-coverings.' * Oh, darling, I'm so curious what these 'French leg-coverings’ might have looked like! It was thrilling to see that the concept of the ballet leotard, in its evolution, was being celebrated and recognised even then, despite the societal strictures that bound women at the time. It truly felt like the dawn of a revolution.
I took this opportunity to get out my own little pink dancing shoes, popped a sparkly pink leotard under my fabulous tulle, and performed a petite pas de bourrée, reminding passersby just how delightful a bit of whimsy can be. Thankfully, even in the Victorian era, people loved a good show!
This is when the time travel magic began! Suddenly, the pink sparkles of my leotard took on an incredible shimmer, and everyone on the cobbled street stopped and stared! Then, all at once, we all felt a pull of excitement, an almost mystical energy. I'd never seen a crowd react with such passion and delight! They looked like they’d been touched by something special. My darling, how wonderful to experience such magic in 1871.
I soon found out that the Parisian fashion houses were just beginning to get creative with leg coverings and theatrical clothing. While it’s true, many thought the ballet was merely a spectacle for the masses, the influence it held in fashion and society was growing stronger, as the popularity of this innovative ‘art’ took hold of public consciousness! I couldn’t help but dance my heart out as a street performer, offering a few joyous routines, feeling that magic just brush against my pink tulle!
Speaking of performances, let's indulge in some delightful news: it is 1871, and the London ballet world is buzzing with the opening of the legendary Imperial Ballet, boasting new sets, stunning choreography, and what I was so delighted to learn, new and unique ‘danse costumes'! I, darling, was just itching to check out the latest in leg coverings and stage apparel at this premiere! The excitement in the air was tangible, with theatregoers everywhere debating the artistry of the performances, the colours of the new costumes, and of course, the sheer drama of it all. Do you think the dancer’s leg coverings will be black or brown? whispered a woman excitedly to her companion.
After a whirlwind of observations on 19th-century ballet fashion, and of course, the very heart of the pink-tutu-movement, I had a delicious supper of fish and chips by the Thames before stepping back into the pink swirling time portal! It truly was a splendid month of exploring the evolution of the ballet leotard – or rather the evolution of the leg coverings that made up the early danse outfit, the precursor to today's modern leotard!
This week, I must urge you all to dig out those sparkly, silky leotards and show them off. Let’s keep the pink tutu spirit alive, darlings! Because in 1871, as it is in 2023, we can learn so much about our past by following our own whimsy, finding ways to express our own personal creativity, and letting ourselves be inspired by the ever-changing evolution of fashion, a delightful symphony of style!
Don't forget to keep those tutu dreams twirling!
Love always,
Emma
(This post, darlings, is dedicated to you, to all of us, who have ever dreamed of twirling around in a beautiful ballet tutu, to the designers and the dancers, and of course, the wonderfully daring women who brought us such a wonderful style. Remember: the power of pink is alive and well! )
Website: www.pink-tutu.com
Instagram: @PinkTutuEmma
Shop for all your pink-tutu dreams! www.emmastutufashion.com
