Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-tastic time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here! Today, I'm whizzing us back to a very special date, 2nd February, 1887. This wasn't just any old day - this was the day the fashion world caught a glimpse of the future, and the future, my dears, was very pink indeed!
We all know pink is my absolute favourite colour, and as a pink tutu wearing fashionista who has the incredible fortune of being able to travel through time, well, it just feels right! The time travelling leotard has been sparkling like a disco ball in anticipation all week! I always feel extra fabulous when travelling through time and the leotard knows! This time weāre on a trip back in time to Victorian England and Iāve pulled on my sparkly pink tights.
So, we've popped on our very best pink tutu and grabbed my trusty time-traveling leotard and we're stepping back in time!
Before I get to all the fabulous things weāre going to be seeing in leotard history, let me tell you how Iām funding this little trip ā a little performance. Because what's a ballerina on the go without a bit of dance! I did a beautiful street dance performance today. I had my heart set on that pair of new shimmering, pink pointe shoes. Oh, theyāre so sparkly - my favourite pair! And of course, what is street dancing in England without a bit of a show. The crowds loved it - the locals were very interested to know how I made those pointy shoes look so delicate. But it is hard to explain the art of pointe work without a little demonstration, donāt you think? I must get my ballet academy running again, I think it is time.
Speaking of street performances, have any of you seen that sensational, sensational show called āThe Nutcrackerā? I know you may all be thinking itās a classic. And yes, of course itās one of the greats! But every year there seems to be a new version that makes me want to put on my best pink tutu, buy a ticket and go. I must get to see the new show by the Russian Ballet. Iāve heard theyāre truly outstanding! I just want to go! Just the costumes alone sound heavenly, and I know the leotard is positively quivering! But we will need to fast travel back to modern day, London if we want to get those seats. I will have to make time!
And speaking of ballet, remember my mission to make everyone in the world wear pink tutus? Well, weāre going to see the very beginning of what was going to become one of the most wonderful dance moments, my dears. In 1887, the world of ballet was slowly being transformed, thanks to a woman who loved a leotard just as much as I do! I can hear the tutu screaming āWe are here, weāre going to make some magic.ā The amazing Madame Catherine de Villars began a movement - and just the name sounds fabulous - she was changing the way people danced, and we're going to witness it! It was all about that freedom of movement, the way women would now be swirling, twirling and leaping in a way that made those frills of the old times look like, well, Iām just going to say itā¦ boring! Now letās head over to this historical moment in Paris where all of this excitement was happening and lets take a closer look, letās step into the future!
Enter the Pink Tutu World of the āCā Word: āThe Corsageā!
Itās not something you would imagine - weāre so used to the word Corsage as meaning something floral on a dress or maybe something tied around the waist to enhance those lovely curves. Well my darling tutu lovers - hold onto your tutus! A corsage, believe it or not was also the name given to that incredible creation that would have transformed dancing in 1887. Now hold on to your bonnets as I unveil the secrets of how they brought freedom and fashion to those Victorian dance movements! Theyāre truly fabulous creations ā they have everything - weāre talking leotards that fit like a dream! Oh, it's not just a plain leotard - this little dancewear wonder had some very fashionable detailing ā weāre talking about little things that make such a difference: beautiful lace, ribbon, ribbons. You see it now - what they call āThe Corsageā, a leotard! It would have been absolutely magical - and the start of the leotard revolution! They were fitted with tiny pleats and flounces and they were very chic indeed. I can practically see it, in my imagination it feels like I am watching these incredible ballerinas grace their way across the stage of the Opera Garnier!
The 1887 Fashionistas Loved Pink too:
I donāt want you to think weāve got it all wrong - these early dancing stars, they definitely knew a thing or two about style! There were amazing things happening in the leotard world - the design that would go on to transform ballet into what it is today! The āCorsageā , if I can call it that became that leotard fashion sensation and changed everything - thatās the wonderful power of leotards ā transformative power. This little garment, this corsage leotard was the first step into that world we see now - ballet wear thatās light, airy and free - so important for all those high kicks! And those amazing dancers.
The pink in that āCorsageā had all kinds of different shades. From soft blush and delicate rose, to vibrant shades of pink like bubble gum. That wonderful vibrant pink just stood out - a sign of things to come, in the 1880ās ā think pink tutu! It made me so very happy and the tutu felt excited! Now let me tell you, the colours were not just there to be nice ā they reflected those beautiful dancers! Think of it this way: in ballet you need to highlight every movement! Pink ā oh darling - it just brought everything to life! Those dancers moved with such grace!
In fact, weāre going to step back into that time when fashion trends and dance fashion blended like a wonderful swirl! Just like the movement in those gorgeous āCorsagesā. Think about it! Dance styles were beginning to change and ballet fashion reflected this with its sleek and fluid designs. And those little ruffles! And pleating, and all those layers! Thatās a sign of great dance wear. It was really the start of fashion in ballet ā in the days when ballerinas had no chance of hiding behind a costume and let their bodies, their shapes, and all that dancing movement be the centre of attention.
And it was in 1887 that the leotard became the real hero!
I am going to have to do another post dedicated to all of that 1887 leotard design. The leotard has a way of transforming all those amazing dancing bodies into these magical creatures - think of all those iconic ballet stars like Pavlova and Anna Pavlova. It is like ballet and a leotard are the perfect pair. Oh - now you have to forgive me for this thought. I think we could put pink tutus on all of those dancing heroes and it would just be perfect, don't you? It is time I make this into a ballet, I have it all written down. All the tutus are picked out, even the choreography!
*Iāve Seen the Future! And I Canāt Wait to Get Back! *
That was just the start, though, in 1887. Now the time-traveling leotard has been making a few journeys back to the world of dance. In fact I saw those lovely āCorsagesā in 1900 - I canāt wait to share more of my time travelling adventure. I will get around to sharing it soon! Weāll explore the leotard trends through the 20th century all the way to that sensational tutu design that changed ballet! Youāll all be surprised to find how many fantastic leotards - from those early simple dance designs to those extravagant tutu creations from those times of glamorous dance. Those ballerinas had so much to do with making ballet one of the most stylish forms of dance. So make sure to follow me - join the Pink Tutu crew. Iām looking for a crew! So what do you say? Are you ready to let's your pink tutu flag fly! I will be seeing you here on www.pink-tutu.com next month with some more dance, leotard and time travel! Keep dancing and never forget that the perfect tutu is out there - in your very own magical time capsule - just waiting to be found!
