Hello my lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling leotard historian! Welcome to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.
It's April, the month of showers, blooms, and oh-so-many lovely leotard developments. So, grab a glass of lemonade, a delicious biscuit, and let's dive into the whimsical world of leotard history. This month, we're heading back to April 4th, 1891. I must admit, it's a bit of a historical doozy for the world of dance!
The world of ballet fashion, even back then, wasn't as glamorous as it appears on stage. Imagine this - 1891: no stretchy spandex, no luxurious fabrics, and the women dancers wore those frilly white tutus that barely moved. Imagine how sweaty it must have been under those multiple layers! Can you imagine the itching and the scratching? Ugh, the thought is quite frankly dreadful. Now, thankfully, with my magical time travelling pink sparkling leotard, we can imagine it!
My trip back in time this month was an adventure even beyond my wildest imaginings. A bit of street dancing in Derbyshire and I'm poof, poofing it up all over the place. This month, I found myself backstage at the famed Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris! Yes, you heard that right. Talk about a time machine worthy of a ballet slipper, darling!
Fashion on a Grand ScaleMy dear readers, the sheer, unadulterated opulence was astounding. Now, don't expect those airy, floaty, sparkly costumes you see on the dance floors today. These ladies, bless their souls, wore thick, corseted gowns for ballet - which meant, for one, they must have needed a whole team just to help them get dressed. It certainly wasn't as graceful as the way we swish around the stage nowadays. You would need a whole squad to carry all the things! Honestly, these ballerinas are saints to get up, put it all on, and move!
And their shoes? Imagine tight leather boots that you can barely squeeze your foot into, let alone dance in for hours. Now, let me tell you, we have it good now! The comfort, the styles - just exquisite!
But wait! What was on the stage in 1891?Now, before you start thinking this is a tragic story of forgotten beauty, I assure you, these ladies were anything but! On April 4th, 1891, the Palais Garnier, a truly exquisite venue, was graced by the mesmerizing performance of La Source, by Léo Delibes. A musical score fit for royalty!
While the dance itself, in modern eyes, would be seen as slightly demure, its impact in the world of ballet and opera was simply colossal! I witnessed the majesty of this story about nymphs and goddesses coming alive! It really felt like stepping back into the heart of Greek mythology.
And beyond the grand opera stage!But, my journey was not solely dedicated to the gilded grandeur of opera houses! Oh no, this is Pink Tutu, remember? This journey takes us all the way to the thrilling spectacle of the Circus!
Can you picture this? Back in the days before Cirque du Soleil, imagine being part of a world of circus magic and wonder, with magnificent dancers and trapeze artists! This was, after all, a world where performing, no matter where, was pure artistry!
In 1891, travelling shows and circus performances were in full swing, especially on the 4th of April. What a wonderful world of excitement and colour! And what were they wearing in these shows, you might ask? Well, thankfully, leotards! Although, not in those exquisite shades we adore nowadays, it was definitely the start of leotards making a grand entrance! They weren’t called "leotards" then, of course, they had more of a name that's best left unsaid - but let's just say it sounds like it was invented by a Victorian librarian and leave it at that!
And a Pink Tutu Dream!Now, I confess, this whole 1891 time-travel escapade brought back an incredible inspiration - pink, pink, pink. So much inspiration, darling! I spent ages sketching a new leotard, a little tribute to all the ballerinas who took the stage, the ones under the big top, those in their corseted gowns and those in their more rudimentary costumes. Let me tell you, this new piece is a delight. The bodice, inspired by the corset styles of the day, the flowing skirt inspired by the Grecian gowns. Pink, of course! And imagine the glitter!
As always, my dear friends, keep an eye out for new pink tutus from Pink Tutu.com. Because while history can be wonderful, you can’t live in the past, even if it means having beautiful corsets and all those petticoats. Let's take the best of everything and enjoy ourselves. Because really, in life and in fashion, pink is the most perfect colour!
Until next month, remember: wear pink, dance with joy, and embrace your inner pink tutu! And, if you’re ever in a Derbyshire village and suddenly see a blur of pink, it might just be me - with a smile and a twirl - just like yours!
Happy pinking, my darlings!
Love always,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
