Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling, leotard enthusiast. I hope you’re all feeling wonderfully twirly this month! September, ah, September – the air’s getting a little crisper, the leaves are starting to blush, and there’s a lovely, cosy feeling in the air. I must admit, it does put me in the mood for a little bit of history, don’t you think?
Speaking of history, today’s adventure whisks us back to 1881, on a delightful September 9th. My magical leotard glittered, feeling every bit the celestial time machine as I landed smack-dab in the heart of London! It’s always such a joy to immerse myself in a different era – just imagine, no mobile phones, no social media… but oh, the stories to be told!
Now, if you think today’s leotards are daring, let me tell you, fashion in 1881 was all about corseted bodices and billowing skirts. The idea of a sleek, fitted garment like a leotard, well, that would have been revolutionary! But as you know, I’m all for pushing those sartorial boundaries, so my time-travel leotard, dazzling in its pink sparkle, naturally stood out. The looks I got were definitely a blend of curiosity and, perhaps, a smidge of apprehension.
One of the delights of time travel is discovering what's happening in the world of performance, right? This time, it was all about the theatre. At The Gaiety Theatre, Lily Langtry, a true theatrical star, was making quite the splash in the popular burlesque show “Peril”. Oh, imagine that! Now, we all know how much I love the combination of dancing and theatrical flair. Unfortunately, a burlesque leotard was not yet on the scene, so we had to imagine them with our corsets and frilled skirts.
And speaking of the world of theatre, wouldn't you know it, my very first trip took me straight into the world of the famed ballerina Marie Taglioni. Can you believe it, darling? A true legend! Even with her ballet tutus crafted in traditional long and billowing white silk, she brought a beauty to the stage unlike any other. Oh, to have been there, to see those light-as-a-feather leaps, her grace and elegance… Honestly, the artistry was so divine, I almost burst into tears!
As the afternoon stretched into a gloriously vibrant evening, I popped into The Alhambra, London’s hottest variety venue. You just had to be seen there, so imagine my delight to encounter "The Great La Blonde" performing with the biggest grin I'd ever seen, despite all her dazzling costumes. The excitement in the air was simply palpable – laughter, applause, even the clink of champagne glasses! Such a captivating, joyous atmosphere made me yearn to find the perfect, sparkly pink tutu for just such an occasion!
It seems my travels to 1881 were filled with thrilling performances, making me realise even back then, the desire to watch great shows, experience amazing fashion, and the pursuit of entertainment was strong! It's a reminder that our passion for artistry and fabulous leotards knows no bounds, no matter what era we’re in.
And on that note, my lovelies, I must dash off. There's a vintage leotard market in Derby that I'm desperate to explore, so do keep your eyes peeled for my next blog post! Until then, be fabulous, stay sparkly, and remember to dance your heart out!
Much love, Emma xx www.pink-tutu.com
