Hello darlings!
Emma here, back from another whirlwind time-travelling adventure, and this time it was a real doozy! I've just come back from the year 1902 and let me tell you, fashion was simply electrifying! And, oh, the things I learned about the very beginnings of the leotard, it was fascinating!
This month, I found myself on the 3rd of March, 1902. The London streets were abuzz with excitement as I stepped out of my pink time-travelling leotard. (That leotard is something else, you know! Itâs so sparkly, it makes everyone stop and stare wherever I go. It's a bit like my portable disco ball!). Anyway, 1902 London was in full bloom. Think horse-drawn carriages, elegant ladies with hats that could house a small family, and men in sharp suits (with quite a few mustaches! I love those!).
My trusty diary always reminds me that it's vital to dress appropriately for each era I visit, so Iâd packed my best pink, fluffy tutu, which went rather well with the whole âturn-of-the-centuryâ vibe! Of course, as my mission is to promote pink tutus as everyday wear, I even offered to give some street performances (naturally in my fabulous tutu) for a few shillings! Everyone just loved the performance - the children were thrilled, the adults even started applauding! It's moments like that, darlings, where you realise, this passion of mine is really changing the world. Just one tutu at a time.
But back to my adventure! My first stop was the Savoy Theatre, London's hottest spot for the latest stage productions. And my goodness, I was in heaven. I learned that ballet wasnât quite as popular then as it is today. Back in the day, they had burlesque â a mix of music, dance and sketches that were meant to be cheeky and fun, much like modern drag shows!
While my time in 1902 London was all about fashion and fabulousness, I learned about leotards from the source itself â a very informative and rather eccentric inventor, Mr. Jules Leotard. You see, Jules wasn't the only inventor of the leotard as we know it now. It all started when acrobatic artist Jules Leotard, whose name we now use, had a moment of brilliance! Imagine the scene: 1859. Paris is bustling with a certain artistic energy, and there he is, Jules Leotard, the âAerialist of the timeâ! He decided he needed an outfit for his thrilling high wire acrobatics, a garment that moved with him effortlessly, giving him full range of motion! And what do you know? The first Leotard was born â a skin-tight garment that was both functional and stylish.
Well, my darlings, that first leotard was a far cry from what we wear today. It wasnât made from Lycra and the colour was closer to brown and grey. It did, however, become the staple outfit for gymnasts, ballet dancers and even cyclists back in the day.
Jules, however, was not the sole inventor of this revolutionary piece of fashion. You know those iconic circus costumes, the ones that make you want to jump on stage yourself? They were designed and worn by the iconic acrobat George âLordâ Sanger, a true innovator in the field. The real gem though, my darlings, is that both of these artists had this deep passion for creating - and what's better than fashion and performance together, right?!
I got so lost in this incredible history of the leotard that I almost forgot to mention a very special event! On 24th February, 1902, a very special exhibition was opening its doors in the United States: The American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Talk about leotard fashion being everywhere! A fashion historian I met in my travels explained that back in those days, these museums always showcased the very latest fashion trends in their exhibits. In the very same year 1902, fashion icon and society darling, Mrs. William Waldorf Astor (a true tastemaker) wore a dazzling outfit in pale, creamy pink with an extraordinary matching leotard as a part of her new âFashion Showâ exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Imagine the glitz, the glamour, the exquisite artistry! It was an honor to have had a chance to admire her artistry! The museum showcased these designs as extraordinarily practical clothing pieces, and that, darlings, made history in itself.
Speaking of history, the next time youâre watching a ballet performance, a figure-skating competition or even a high-flying acrobat, remember this journey into the early years of the leotard. Remember how a vision to enhance performance led to a timeless piece of clothing that defines elegance and style to this day.
I know some of you are looking for my pink-tutu style inspiration for this month. Well, get ready to make a statement, my darlings! Think soft, romantic shades of pink. My favorites this month are blush, salmon, and even a touch of bubblegum pink! Letâs celebrate the leotard â this marvelous invention! Embrace those curves and twirl your way through this month with panache.
Iâll leave you now, my lovelies, but not before a little reminder that lifeâs about taking those brave leaps, exploring new avenues, and sharing your passion with the world, all with the graceful movements of your best pink tutu! Remember, you're all gorgeous, brave, and wonderful - even if you're not time-traveling with your own pink leotard!
Keep on sparkling and shining,
Emma
xx
*P.S. *
My latest show is tomorrow, 7th March at the Derbyshire Arts Centre. Come join me and learn the newest pink-tutu twirls!
And, darlings, I have an exclusive secret for my Pink-Tutu.com readers! A sneak peek into next monthâs blog post: it's about leotards from around the world! Prepare yourselves for an amazing exploration of dance fashion history from Europe to the East, all in the most fabulous way possible.
Keep your pink tutus twirling and your smiles wide!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
