Hello my darling lovelies! It's Emma here, your Pink Tutu-wearing, time-travelling friend, back again for another jaunt into the past. This month we're whisking ourselves back to 12th December 1889 – a day chock-full of historical treats and exciting, even revolutionary, developments in the world of leotards. Get ready, my darlings, because today we're going to the theatre!
Remember to catch up on all my posts over on www.pink-tutu.com! Each month, I'm travelling through the history of the leotard and I want you all to join me on this fascinating journey. Today we’re going to be travelling in my beautiful pink sparkling leotard which really shimmers when it’s reflecting all those beautiful Victorian gas lights!
I'm so excited, as my latest street performance back in Derbyshire has earned me just enough to fuel my time travelling leotard! Now, before we set off, let me quickly update you all on what I’ve been wearing. Oh darling, the best news! I've just purchased the most beautiful new tutu from Madame Camille's Boutique. A vintage Parisian number with a dreamy pastel pink silk, layers upon layers of tulle, and a hint of sparkling diamanté around the waistline. A truly divine, swoon-worthy confection, my darlings! And of course, I'm pairing it with my favourite lavender leotard, a soft, snuggly velvet with a sweetheart neckline. Just picture me: a delicate fairy of a ballerina with a hint of Victorian elegance.
Now, enough about my own delightful wardrobe. Let's step into the magical time travel leotard and whisk ourselves away to London, 1889, to explore what’s happening on the London stage today.
Firstly, and the most important detail of the day… The Royal Ballet was established! It seems our leotard-clad friends were busy dancing into history right on the 12th December! Just think of the fabulous performances happening tonight! We're not allowed to join them, but even just being near such historic artistic grandeur fills me with pure joy.
This evening I'm going to make my way to London's Gaiety Theatre, to see a little bit of “In Town.” This light and hilarious operetta promises to be a whimsical romp with just enough sparkly costumes to catch my eye, I do hope. There was a production of “La Cigale,” on the West End in December too, that had my leotard buzzing! It's always such fun to imagine all those graceful dancers on stage and I'm sure the leotards will be just the thing! I mean, imagine! Those delicate fabrics! Those sparkling embellishments! What’s the big fashion news for dancers in 1889? It’s definitely about colour, my darlings! Imagine our time travel machine landing on a Parisian stage in this year. We'd be met with bright shades like ruby, sapphire, emerald, and gold! And imagine, those beautiful long skirts, ruffles and frills - my Tutu heart would just explode.
My friend, Clara, even managed to pick up a Victorian ‘tutu’ which is very long with tiers of beautiful tulle in an off white with satin ribbon! And what about all that historical lace detail, think those beautiful corseted bodices with satin detailing and ruched sashes! I do think it’s a rather pretty style. It definitely doesn’t do as much for the pirouettes but looks magnificent for standing or walking across the stage. But darling, what’s it all about? For many people the focus is on being decorative, an elaborate display to highlight the female figure. It was truly all about how feminine a ballerina could be!
That night, my darlings, the Gaiety theatre bustled with energy! After the performance, I wandered into the streets, past the shops bustling with twinkling lights and enjoying the buzz of Christmas in Victorian London. As I did, my eyes were captivated by the beautiful lace-trimmed undergarments, and of course I was in search of the perfect Victorian leotard, I’ll show you some examples next time. Oh how I would love to find one! If only I could pick up one or two treasures!
My friends, my darling lovelies! As we travel in time together and as I share my journey through history and discover leotard stories, we must embrace the beauty and wonder of dance fashion - from the simplest stretch of cotton to the most opulent Victorian lace, and how it continues to inspire us today! If you’ve a chance to look up those shows from today, don’t be afraid to go to the theatre – the wonder never ceases! Do let me know about your discoveries, leave me a comment, I'm so interested in what my wonderful readers are finding too! Remember to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com for regular updates from me - your Pink Tutu Time Traveller!
See you next month, my loves!
Your always pink and always loving Emma xxx
