Welcome back to Pink Tutu, my darling dancers! Today marks a rather special blog post, number 160 to be precise, which is a monumental occasion. Not only because it celebrates another month of magical time travelling in my pink sparkling leotard, but also because today, dear readers, we take a leap back to April 1872!
As you know, I am always looking for inspiration for my own creations, for that perfect new spin on a classic leotard, and I love to explore how our little piece of clothing history has developed through time. And what better place to start this particular adventure than in Victorian England? Imagine it – swirling skirts, buttoned boots and the air filled with the clatter of carriages. But most importantly – corsets! That’s right, dear readers, those amazing, boned, corset-clad beauties that epitomized femininity in the 19th Century are waiting for us.
Now, it's true, tutus weren’t quite the norm in 1872, but imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a delightful theatre performance at the prestigious Covent Garden in London. It was there I encountered Madame Celeste - a true pioneering woman of the stage - renowned for her beautiful dancing in a delightful“Crinoline Skirt” Leotard, which was almost as iconic as her performance. This kind of innovation is something I always strive for with my own designs - bringing in an element of the new whilst still respecting and celebrating tradition!
The design of Celeste’s “Crinoline Skirt” Leotard was all about dramatic movement, perfectly capturing the flair of the Victorian age. Long sleeves, gathered fabric, a defined bodice, all brought together by that glorious, wide-sweeping crinoline - a design masterpiece fit for a Victorian diva. Talk about an empowering moment for our little leotard, dancing centre stage alongside all the glorious drama and theatricality!
This trip to 1872 truly reminds us that our little leotard has always been more than just a costume - it's been a powerful symbol of evolution and change. Today it might be about celebrating athleticism and the female form, but back then it represented freedom of movement and a defiance against the constraints of restrictive fashion. That's a little bit of girl power we can all get behind, isn’t it?
Oh, and my little Derbyshire home? The local news mentioned some grand balls in our villages - what an amazing opportunity for me to spread some pink tutu love with some of the fashionable gentry! Now, who can say no to that?
So, my dear readers, keep exploring, keep dreaming, and keep dancing! I can’t wait to see where my next magical time travel adventure will lead me! As for now, it's back to Derbyshire for some exciting news - I’ve received a wonderful order from the local theatre troupe for a run of completely unique pink tutus – it's the kind of project that keeps me going!
Stay beautiful, Emma 💕✨
