Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and this month’s blog post is extra special, because I’ve taken my time-travelling pink sparkle leotard (because obviously!) for a spin back to 1876, March 3rd, to be precise! I've been thinking about it for ages and I'm thrilled to finally have made it back there and be sharing all the fabulous finds I’ve discovered about the fascinating world of Leotard Fashion.
1876: The world is a much different place in this year, it was full of elegant horse-drawn carriages, long, sweeping skirts for the ladies, and I am loving the gentlemen’s fashion: sharp jackets, colourful trousers, all those wonderful top hats – simply exquisite! But the best bit, of course, is finding out all the fashionable things happening for the dance world at that time!
Before we dive in to my amazing finds, a little about myself – my name is Emma, I’m a ballerina from Derbyshire and my true love is all things leotard and tutu-licious! It started when I was just a little girl and I fell head over heels for those beautiful flowing tutus I used to see in ballet shows. Since then, it has become my mission to share my love of dance, the wondrous world of leotard fashion, and of course – spreading the glorious pink tutu gospel wherever I go!
My time-travel adventures – which I’m funding by doing street performances, and let me tell you, people absolutely love it when a pink tutu-wearing ballerina just appears out of thin air – allow me to experience Leotard history in all its glory. Each time I journey into the past, I find out something new, a new piece of information that adds to my ever-expanding leotard fashion knowledge, and of course, there are those amazing moments of seeing history come to life. The sights, the sounds, the costumes, it’s utterly enthralling.
Back to 1876. Where do I even begin with the exciting fashion I discovered! My research tells me that, 1876 was a period of exciting fashion innovation. It was the beginning of a dramatic shift away from the full, hooping skirts of the 1860s and the 1870s brought about what was referred to as the Aesthetic Movement, a period in which there was a great focus on refined art, simplicity, and flowing lines – I'm really starting to appreciate that a lot now.
On stage... In the theatre, the change was quite apparent too! I couldn't believe the beautiful costumes worn by dancers of that time! Long, trailing sleeves, beautifully embellished fabrics, and those lovely satin bows - simply stunning. Even back then, there was a focus on form and shape. Imagine, it's like a symphony in motion! A kind of flowing, dramatic beauty. Of course, leotards were worn under the skirts as an underpinning garment – something you might only know if you dug deep in those historical dance archives as I do.
Let’s talk about what they were wearing on the streets... In the wider world, fashion focused on long, elegant gowns with delicate trains, tight bodices, and lovely lace accents. The iconic silhouette of that time period was all about an elongated, slender shape – imagine flowing satin robes made for moving like an elegant ballet dancer.
I was absolutely fascinated by how fashion was transforming around me! This elegant simplicity of form and line, with delicate lace, the way skirts flowed around their legs – and I thought of course, how I could carry the essence of the Aesthetic Movement back to my current time! After all, the elegant flowing lines of 1876 can absolutely work beautifully with today’s fashion! Imagine, long sweeping tutus made with fine silk fabrics – absolutely gorgeous!
One thing I learnt is how important an element hair is in the context of the overall visual expression of the female form in that era. The focus was on a romantic, flowing aesthetic. I’m seeing intricate, elaborate hairdos – think high chignons with lots of ornate hairpins and delicate curls. This definitely gave dancers an air of femininity and sophistication on the stage!
The other day, while on one of my adventures around London, I bumped into a fascinating antique store owner who collects dance ephemera! She was kind enough to let me have a peek at some really stunning ballet photographs, which helped me understand the style of the period better. The hairstyles worn were very similar to what I had observed during my journey, those elaborate hair-pieces with decorative combs and elaborate braids. Even the jewellery – the delicate floral arrangements worn in the hair and the pearl necklaces were a huge fashion trend!
I found myself pondering... are there lessons we can learn from the dancers and fashionable women of 1876 to bring back to our modern-day leotard fashion? Yes! Definitely! For example, take those elaborate hairpieces, which definitely add drama and an enchanting air to any dance look – you can totally reinterpret the style, like maybe a modern take on the classic French Twist with a jeweled hair comb.
Back in Derbyshire, I can't wait to experiment! I plan on going on a serious leotard fashion research journey and I’ve got my eye on some new leotards at my favourite boutique to try. And just imagine the stunning combination: a classic pink leotard with a flowing satin skirt - maybe it will be one that just sweeps down to the floor or maybe something short and playful, but with that 1876 silhouette, think cinched in bodice and soft, draped skirt, just stunning. And then, imagine, I'll be doing my signature pink tutu street ballet performance in the middle of the village and everyone will be captivated, and not only because it's fun and entertaining, but because of the historical detail I have painstakingly recreated – that's what I call fashion storytelling!
But wait there's more! Did you know there’s an exciting leotard development in 1876? I know, you thought everything in dance fashion was revolutionary back in my time - the early 20th century- and I would say it was - but actually, you know what? It was 1876!
In the dance world, a pivotal development: the first practical ballet shoes, designed by Pierre La Salle! They're lighter and more flexible. I've read so much about these shoes – it is an evolution and such a breakthrough, in fact it's been said that these were the most revolutionary shoe invention. Now we have more flexibility to move around and be free! And all those gorgeous satin bows that adorned the dancing shoes in my time? Yes, they already existed in 1876! So fascinating!
It really goes to show you how important the history of dance and ballet is. It really is like a fascinating, constantly evolving tapestry of artistic expressions that connect us, even across the times!
So I invite you to go with me on this journey through the world of fashion. Go forth and embrace your love for ballet, be bold in your style choices! Embrace tutus! Explore different forms of ballet and see what speaks to you. Remember, ballet is for everyone! No matter who you are, your style, your body, your level - all are welcome! That's what makes dance so incredibly magical!
Have fun! And if you love a pink tutu and have a story of your own to share - do let me know. After all, we can make the world a pinker and more wonderful place, one tutu at a time.
Happy Dancing!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Follow me on: @EmmaTutu
