#LeotardHistory during 1902 06 June

Hello my dearest Tutu Tribe! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we dance through time, explore the world, and always keep our tutus pink!

This month, we're whizzing back to June 1902! I've just got back from a marvellous time in London, and I must say, it's been an absolute whirlwind! But before we delve into the vibrant dance scene of the Edwardian era, let's get you prepped up with some fabulous tutu news!

First of all, how incredible are these new ballet shoes I found? Oh, my goodness, you have to see them! I’m talking hand-stitched silk slippers with delicate ribbons that make them the perfect accessory to a pink tutu, just divine! This shop is a treasure trove – they even have this magnificent tulle I’m thinking of using for my next bespoke creation. And the most brilliant news of all, is they've just stocked up on new fabrics – vibrant coral and ocean blue are calling my name! I'll post photos on the site as soon as I'm back from London – and we're not stopping there! I'm also hoping to discover a seamstress who can work with the delicate lace patterns for my upcoming performance at the Royal Albert Hall!

Now, back to my London adventures, where I've been hopping back and forth through time like a whimsical pink bunny rabbit (much to the delight of the locals, I must add)!

I’ve gotta say, even though it’s just June, 1902 already feels incredibly glamorous. Everyone's dressed to the nines, with frills and flourishes everywhere I look – and who am I to complain?! This period fashion is perfectly suited to my sparkly pink time-traveling leotard – and I must confess I was practically dazzling onlookers everywhere I went! The moment I arrived at The Alhambra Theatre, I just had to dance! It seems they love their spectacular costumes here - think flowing silks and glittery beaded garments!

After my impromptu performance on stage, I grabbed a hot cocoa (chocolate was truly booming back then) and loved watching "A Princess of Kensington" - an opera by the very talented composers Edward German and Basil Hood. It's the most beautiful story about a princess who secretly escapes the constraints of the royal life to pursue a career as a… ballet dancer! Imagine! A royal princess taking centre stage? Just goes to show, dreams do come true, and even back then, people were looking for something beyond societal expectations, they were reaching for the magical of ballet! I even got to meet Mr. German himself and it was utterly magical! I even told him I planned to include his opera in one of my dance-filled blog posts - his smile was a beautiful ray of sunshine.

Speaking of beautiful dances, I stumbled upon a real treat – The Hippodrome Circus in London. Now, that was a spectacular show! The entire stage was alive with colour, with the most beautiful performance of the Belle Epoque era, featuring a magnificent horse ballet. This unique act was perfectly crafted and made use of the impressive space of the Hippodrome’s large stage. The scene shifted like a dream, blending acrobatics, and theatrical beauty, and all of it seemed like the most beautiful ballet performance I had ever seen! I’d certainly recommend it if you happen to travel through this era – they've got an amazing ice ballet routine which has been getting a lot of praise too! I, personally, fell head over heels for the *Clowns and the Acrobats, "The Sensational Alberts," *, I just loved their comedy routines. I need to find more ways to use my ballet background to include these comedic skills in my performance. And who knows? Perhaps a future Tutu Tribe blog post could include a bit of comedy too!

While I was exploring London's glittering dance scene, I just had to drop into The Royal Opera House, one of the world’s most prestigious performing arts venues. There was a special energy inside its walls, almost electric! Now, when I walked in – I thought back to the early days of ballet! Back then, ballet wasn't always as popular or accessible as it is now! I couldn’t help but ponder how many years of tradition were embodied in this historic space, it truly was an inspiring and enchanting feeling! I had a little dream about being right there when The Royal Opera House first opened – to see the sheer beauty and wonder of its creation and the emotions surrounding such a cultural milestone.

This incredible space, now the Royal Opera House, was first known as The Theatre Royal – an exciting, opulent venue brimming with the buzz of creativity. It's really fascinating to think about this landmark's history. But more exciting yet, I felt this *massive energy* ** from all the beautiful performances it had witnessed. I can't even imagine the sheer volume of history, the whispers and dances within these walls! What incredible moments they must have seen over the decades, from their famous opera to legendary ballets! I wanted to stay forever just listening to the echo of applause and laughter - oh my, the sheer artistry and power contained within these halls - they even had their own 'dress circle' back in 1902, fancy!

### Finding My Pink Inspiration at The Old Vic

For a break from the grandeur of The Royal Opera House, I headed to a smaller and more intimate theatre. Now, here is where my fashion mind got truly inspired! There were simply so many interesting trends happening with costumes at the theatre! While the Belle Epoque aesthetic in this time period was indeed beautiful, the world of fashion in 1902, well… the more I saw, the more I realised I simply needed to update my Tutu Tribe blog readers with the most up-to-date fashion trends of this era. The theatre became my own personal fashion runway! Now, who could imagine it back in the late 1890s and early 1900s, the clothing designers were daring to break away from the constraints of the late Victorian era! This is not your grandma's Edwardian fashion! There was an undeniable excitement and playful style with frills, bows, and bright colours just screaming to be seen, all creating this very special air of exuberance, it was absolutely intoxicating. I was immediately mesmerised! Now imagine a vibrant pink tutu swirling amongst this beauty, glorious!

I even managed to snag a seat for an upcoming musical, “The Geisha.” I love the idea of how dance has been an essential part of Japanese theatre for centuries. I heard the melodies of a new musical they called 'The Geisha' with a playful ‘Japanoise’ atmosphere. There’s so much I want to explore, it just keeps pulling me to travel forward, it’s the *magnetic pull of a new tutu!

As you can probably guess, with a pink tutu and an affinity for a beautiful stage – my journey had to lead me to the iconic Moulin Rouge. What was even more delightful, I realised they were also building an amazing new home! I found myself transported to the Parisian district of Montmartre back in the early 20th century! Now, just imagine… an epic ballet scene set to music that was captivatingly sensual and visually breathtaking – all while I was wearing a gorgeous pink tutu – that is a memory I will never forget! Imagine a swirling dress that is as mesmerizing and intoxicating as the beautiful music!
The Moulin Rouge was the epitome of an enchanting dream of movement and passion! While I was feeling bold in my bright pink leotard, the costumes and atmosphere just drenched me in artistic inspiration. And to think that these costumes would soon be a symbol of the Belle Epoque in Paris! They weren’t afraid to let loose – they even dared to push the boundaries of convention – just like the Tutu Tribe!

I felt myself being swept into the dancefloor by the infectious music - and by the end of my trip to Paris, my leotard was sparkling with an air of Moulin Rouge magic.

I’m so happy I got to spend a bit of time exploring the world of ballet in the era of 1902. Who knows what discoveries I'll unearth next month! But one thing is for certain – a pink tutu can bring beauty to any timeline, any place and any situation!

Until next time, I wish you a wonderful month full of dancing and dazzling! Keep the pink tutus flowing! And remember - join me on the journey, post a picture with the hashtag #pinktutu and who knows, you might just find yourself on Pink-Tutu.com next month!

Yours truly, Emma (in a Pink Tutu!)