Post Number 448: Pink Tutu Time Travel!
Hello my darling leotard lovers! It's Emma, your time-traveling ballerina from Derbyshire, England, here with a brand new pink tutu travel post! Buckle up buttercups, this month's adventure is about to take you on a swirling trip back to the world of leotards in the late 19th century.
Time Traveling to the Past - My Sparkly Leotard Takes Flight
Every month, I travel back through time in my magical, sparkly pink leotard! This month, my time travel tutu took me to the 4th of April 1896. Oh, the sights, the sounds, and of course, the leotards!
Now, imagine a world where ballet costumes were long, swishing gowns with multiple layers of tulle and silk. You're not dreaming! It's a world just waiting to be explored! It was so exciting to be there, with the delicate whisper of Victorian era fabric all around me!
The World of 1896 Leotards: A Peek into Fashion History
On my journey to the past, I stumbled upon a mesmerising sight! In the world of theatre and ballet, women's performance garments were in the midst of a huge transition. Remember the era's famous "tutus" weren't quite the fluffy, graceful creations we know today. They were long and extravagant! Think layers upon layers of beautiful flowing skirts that were more than likely a tad inconvenient for even the most experienced ballerina.
These elaborate skirts did showcase some stunning examples of detail, exquisite beadwork and elaborate design! There were floral motifs, beautiful shimmering satins, lace overlays, and elaborate embroidery - I wanted to take it all home! Imagine a time before the modern ballet tutu! So long and elaborate they had to be held by tiny ladies known as 'the holders'. These helpers are practically an afterthought nowadays but then were almost a show in themselves!
The Early "Leotard"
Even back then, dance wear was in a state of transformation. The humble beginnings of what we'd now call a leotard was slowly becoming a garment to be seen and enjoyed in it's own right. These early leotards were a little different though!
Think tights, stockings, and even little undershirts all made from silk and embellished with lots of lace, ribbons, and some fantastic button detail! So if you imagined ballet in 1896 to be quite similar to today, well, think again!
A Whimsical Performance:
Whilst on my travels I enjoyed a fabulous dance performance by the very talented and extremely flamboyant dancer, the brilliant Fanny Elssler! Elssler was an Austrian dancer, choreographer, and actress! She danced all over Europe and even over to the United States. What a life! She would often take on several roles within one dance - think 'ballet multi-tasker' and she's your lady. Her talent as a dancer has become legendary, she was truly unique and incredibly powerful.
In one performance, I saw Fanny execute such a daring series of rapid turns that the layers of her gown fluttered and swirled with the air. The sheer audacity of the display left me speechless - imagine if that was all you could wear to dance - no leotard just lots and lots of silky swirling gown - just amazing!
Her outfits were pure poetry! Think yards upon yards of fine silks, layers upon layers of carefully draped tulles, beautiful intricate embroideries, and delicate ribbons creating those fantastical Victorian shapes and silhouettes. All that movement! All those layers!
My own tutu could only have dreamed of such swirling potential.
What I Learned About Leotard History
There are some truly incredible similarities and differences when we look back through the ages and discover the incredible fashions worn by our ballet forefathers and foremothers! These beautiful, elaborate, delicate garments have truly evolved into the leotards we wear today. Think, it’s quite possible, had a few historical garments survived I'd be dancing on stage with those rather than a contemporary leotard - who knows? I guess that's why history is so darn exciting!
Let's Celebrate the Leotard
Oh, how I wish I could be back in 1896 to grab a piece of those magnificent creations - but hey! If you want to explore your own time travel through fashion history - take a look at your local museum, a library or even an online vintage store! And be sure to pop by the amazing www.pink-tutu.com to keep up to date with all the latest in pink tutu fashion news and the hottest street and theatre leotard trends.
Until next month my beautiful darlings! Be kind, stay strong, wear lots of pink tutus and enjoy those spins!
Yours always,
Emma
P.S - To pay for all this fun time travelling I’ve taken to performing in the streets. I'll be putting on a special "1896 ballet dance show" this weekend at The Queen Victoria market - fancy joining me for a vintage dance performance? Let me know.
