Hello my lovely leotard-loving lot! Welcome to another fabulous installment of my Pink-Tutu.com travel blog! This month, I'm whisking you back to a rather splendid era, the 1907, the year I fell in love with… well, I fell in love with everything! It was an absolute feast for the senses. Think swirling gowns, impossibly delicate bonnets, and of course, leotards! The style in 1907 was pure delight and, for someone who enjoys a good show as much as I do, it was perfect.
My pink-sparkling time-traveling leotard (oh, it was such a delight! Think metallic sequins and shimmery pink satin) transported me to… wait for it… London, England, of all places! Of course, I love London! Who doesn’t? It’s always a good time to travel there, no matter the century, but back in 1907, the leotard fashion was off the charts.
The biggest thing in leotards in 1907? Let's talk tights. Or rather, let's talk the absence of tights!
My dears, you won't find a single dancer wearing a pair of nylon tights! Imagine! What a delightful, freeing time that must have been. You simply stepped onto the stage, bare legs (a healthy tan was a must, apparently) gliding and twirling. I did see a couple of the "old school" dancers, though, and let's just say it - their silk hose did make a bit of a swishing sound as they moved, so much so that you really had to concentrate on the dancing to ignore it! The "older" school performers certainly were quite stiff about those "fancy-pants" dance tights - what's wrong with a bit of flair and freedom, I ask?
One thing was clear, dancers in 1907 really cared about what their leotards looked like. I'm not talking about frilly, extra embellishment-heavy modern leotards. The beauty of these leotards was in the detail. And I don’t just mean detail on the costumes! Remember, in 1907, the beauty standards of what a ballet dancer should look like were quite different to what we consider graceful today! We're not talking thin-thin - 1907 dancers wore beautiful bodies made of curves.
There was no escaping this style. These leotards were so elegant, so sophisticated, I have to recreate a 1907 dance show, complete with bare legs and a touch of blush pink, all with the added drama of a sparkly tutu - it’ll be magnificent!
As a true fan of leotard history (remember, my aim is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu!), I can't just skip on by the most notable performance. So off to the Covent Garden Opera House, I went. Oh, that majestic building. Imagine being there back in the late Victorian age!
My first stop, though, was a little side-street tucked behind Covent Garden Market. There was a stunning leotard shop. It was like walking into a dreamland. Gorgeous colours. Delicate designs. Stunning silk that just whispered 'I'm going to twirl and sparkle!'. I tried on some velvet ballet shoes - such craftsmanship - each stitch, each fold perfectly deliberate and stunning! I had to take a few photographs to capture the leotard-shopping heaven that was 1907 Covent Garden Market!
But alas! There was no pink to be seen in any leotard that day. The leotards I loved in this boutique came in exquisite hues - black, navy, dark maroon - oh so graceful and refined - all colours to capture your attention as an opera viewer and as an artistic leotard!
It just made me wonder – would people be interested in seeing pink at the opera back in 1907? The time is ripe for a pink tutu revolution. I think we need to bring that revolution back in time to make them see the light.
Now, back to the Opera House itself! I got my ticket (an absolutely stunning engraved silver and glass ticket!) and sat down in the theatre with the other Londoners. This Opera house is a wonder of the world. Every detail of this grand place screams luxury - golden chandeliers, plush crimson seats, intricate mouldings on the ceiling... everything had that "high-class, theatrical, dazzling" air to it.
And then the show began! There I was, surrounded by hundreds of Londoners, every person dressed to impress. The show opened with ballet and you won't believe it, but the dancers were simply mesmerizing. The grace, the elegance, the precise movements and the power - I was so deeply engrossed by every minute detail of the performances. This is a show to remember, so let's hear a little round of applause for these fantastic 1907 ballerinas, ladies! And all those ladies out there: I know we can pull it off again and make an even more incredible show.
After the show, the crowds poured out onto the Covent Garden streets. A street food vendor held out an overflowing tray of the most magnificent cherries! Oh, those sweet cherry flavors are simply unmatched.
I must tell you that 1907 was certainly an excellent choice of years for this little trip - the fashion was incredible, the leotard culture so vibrant, and of course, the delicious food! So for you out there, all you wonderful ballet-loving souls, be sure to have your next 'Pink-Tutu-tastic' time in a gorgeous pink leotard! I would say, pink's for everything. A pink leotard is an ideal outfit to bring joy to everyone!
Stay fabulous,
Emma x
