Greetings, dearest fashionistas! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling tutu enthusiast! It's time for another dip into the swirling, sparkling pool of Leotard History. And, as always, I'm in my favourite pink, sequined time-travelling leotard - the one that shimmers under the gaslights of Victorian London, sparkles against the bright lights of Broadway, and whispers across the bustling streets of Paris. I wouldn't be caught dead, or in any era for that matter, without it!
This month, our little journey whisks us back to January 1st, 1891. Imagine, darling, a world without the ubiquitous stretch of modern Lycra. Now, think about what ladies were wearing to dance, and you'll be right with me – corsets, layers upon layers of billowing fabrics and petticoats.
But I'm here to tell you, that on this particular day, something rather marvellous happened. In the heart of London's vibrant West End, a groundbreaking dance performance shook the world of ballet fashion! You might be thinking, 'A tutu is a tutu, darling, what could have been so radical?'. Hold your tulle, love, this was a real revolution in fashion!
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Ballet Russes, the trailblazers of Leotard Fashion!
You see, dear readers, ballet, even in 1891, was deeply rooted in tradition. Think tights, voluminous tutus, corsets that constricted and suffocated the grace of these remarkable women. But this pioneering group was like a whirlwind of artistic passion and flair, a fashion hurricane that swept away all the stuffy old notions of dancewear. And that brings us to the leotard…
It wasn't, in its initial form, exactly like the leotard we see today. This revolutionary ensemble, worn by the dancers of the Ballet Russes, was a close-fitting, sleeveless tunic. Think, ladies, of a chic, daring version of the basic dance costume - it revealed, in its pared-down simplicity, the strength and flexibility of the dancers. Imagine, a revolutionary ensemble that allowed their bodies to flow, to breathe, and, my dears, to soar!
Naturally, being a derbyshire lass, I hopped on a stage coach - quite a fancy affair, decked with a beautiful lace canopy, no less! - and headed straight to London's glorious Coliseum theatre, eager to witness this historic dance show. I just couldn't resist, I have to see what it’s all about, after all! I can see why, with a touch of modern flair, these outfits would inspire the timeless ballet leotards of today.
I managed to squeeze into the performance, with my darling pink tutu, I confess I made quite an entrance! However, as usual, no one gave me a second glance. I was completely ignored. Well, apart from a lovely lady wearing a beautiful shawl, a pair of opera glasses, and a very intrigued expression, who, once I smiled at her, politely asked me if I would mind if she had my photograph. That lovely lady said, with a big smile, that the dance company were revolutionary! Her expression suggested, they had changed the way ballet dancers performed forever, she whispered in a hush, "they brought their bodies, and their feelings, to the stage!" She also informed me that I had an exceptionally flattering pink tutu.
Now, to add some je ne sais quoi to this already extraordinary journey into leotard history, let's turn our gaze across the Channel, shall we? Here in Paris, my darling fashion-forward French friends are all a-flutter about The New Silhouette. Imagine this, they are swooning over corsetry and daring, almost indecent revealing blouses!
The corset? Oh my dears, this is where we find the real fashion story. They are now lighter, made from softer, lighter materials, no longer those hard steel stays of years ago. The Victorians are loving their new figures - I do too! And of course, to complement these delicate figures, we have this New Silhouette in clothes – imagine waists at their natural place and an overall free flow to their clothes.
Isn’t it ironic, how the New Silhouette, with its elegant drapery and flow, is such a close cousin to the new dance fashion? The free form is the rage - this year 1891 is a year for free spirited dressing. My dears, there’s so much going on - I don’t have the time, but just imagine, Paris is full of delightful frocks, skirts with dramatic fullness that flow into beautifully detailed fabrics like a beautiful, artistic painting! Oh! Don’t even get me started on the colour combinations in silk and chiffon that I have seen, oh so vibrant and glorious. They look like flowers in bloom on beautiful elegant women.
And what's more, dear reader, all of these amazing styles, are gracing ladies on both the streets of London and Paris, and beyond, making leotards even more fashionable, everywhere. This, my lovely ladies, is an era where ballet, fashion and culture intertwine. Where we see a bold shift, from restrictive attire, to dance wear that enables these fabulous women to truly express their talents, and express their personalities beautifully.
My dears, there's an interesting connection between this New Silhouette and the dancing women on the stage in 1891. We have the Ballet Russes bringing to the stage, that free flow in dance attire which is reflected by fashion houses in Paris. And you have this connection across all parts of society. So very chic and trendy!
Back in England
While we see a wonderful artistic dance and fashion revolution happening, it’s so exciting to see what’s also happening in Derbyshire! A small town called Ashbourne. It has such a gorgeous and vibrant culture for dancing! My dearest ladies, think ballet but more free form!
These dances happen every Easter. The traditions here are fantastic! The celebrations involve all sorts of dancing traditions including a special tradition called The Garland. In this one, a young woman, a ‘Girl Friday,’ carrying a large, hand-decorated, hoop, dances her way through the streets in a gorgeous outfit made of brightly colored ribbons, ribbons of every colour that flow in every direction as she dances, creating a most gorgeous display of feminine colours and flowing lines. I have yet to see an elegant garment like the Garland! My darlings, wouldn't it look gorgeous in a shade of delicate pink! A truly spectacular outfit, a fabulous visual display that echoes, my lovelies, the revolution in dance attire of 1891!
But of course, the beautiful garland must have something similar to a leotard to hold these ribbons, and oh dear me, a special, tight underskirt or corset! This allows the Garland to dance and whirl about in perfect grace! She truly embodies this year’s artistic elegance.
We can see from all of these trends in fashion, the street performances in Paris, London, and Ashbourne, that fashion has, by design, come a long way since the constricting trends of a few decades past!
Of course, we mustn't forget, dear reader, that the fashion world is ever-evolving! New fabrics are created, designers are crafting the next must-have silhouette, and new trends are set by these dynamic dancers! We can be sure to see, in the years to come, more fabulous leotards! They'll reflect the changes in dance and society, in new colours, new designs and, no doubt, plenty of pink, darling!
So, as we head back from this month's whirlwind time travel, remember, it's all about embracing change and wearing what makes you feel your most dazzling, especially when it comes to leotards. Let's spread the joy of ballet and the spirit of pink everywhere!
Until next month, darling, Emma.
Remember, keep up the dazzling fashion journey, follow my blog, join me at the theatre and, above all, always, wear a pink tutu. Don’t forget my friends to support your local performing artists, go to a dance performance! Let me know what your favourite outfit was at the dance show in the comments below.
Stay sparkling, lovelies.
Emma’s blog is available to all visitors at www.pink-tutu.com
