Hey there, my lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where leotards and tutus reign supreme! It's me, Emma, your ever-so-pink, time-travelling ballerina blogger from the heart of Derbyshire. I'm thrilled to be back with another adventure for you all!
This month, I've whisked myself away to the City of Lights - oh la la, Paris! The year is 1907, and I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement, ready to delve into the wonderful world of leotard fashion in the French capital.
As always, I donned my shimmering, pink-sparkled time-travelling leotard and hopped aboard my trusty time machine - you can't travel the centuries without a little style, darlings! Today, I'm feeling very 'Belle Époque', so I paired my trusty leotard with a soft pink, fluffy tutu, finished with a touch of vintage lace. Just a tad Parisian, don't you think? 😉
Stepping into the Parisian streets, the scent of freshly baked bread and the sound of street musicians filled the air. The city was bursting with life! Everywhere I looked, stylish women were sporting gorgeous silhouettes and flamboyant fashions. It was a complete contrast to the corseted and modest attire I had left back in 1900.
The leotard, though not quite the show-stopping ensemble it would later become, was making a quiet but definite appearance on the Parisian scene. While not widely seen on the streets, there was a subtle influence from dance that was filtering into everyday wear.
Speaking of dance, I headed straight to the Theatre des Champs-Élysées!
As I glided through the theatre doors, the luxurious, velvet-lined walls seemed to envelop me in a world of grandeur and glamour. My heart was pounding with anticipation for the show!
Tonight, it was the iconic Ballets Russes, headed by the celebrated Sergei Diaghilev, taking the stage. These revolutionary dancers brought with them a new level of athleticism and bold storytelling in their ballets, and the costumes were every bit as dramatic. I was dazzled!
I'd be lying if I didn't say that the dancers’ costumes played a large part in my own fascination with the Ballets Russes. Imagine shimmering, metallic fabrics, dramatic colours and bold lines – an explosion of visual theatre. Even though it wasn't the tutu explosion I had hoped for, the creativity and flair of the leotard-inspired pieces on the stage gave me so much inspiration.
It was quite the journey, and I came away with a brand new perspective. Leotards, you see, aren't just for the stage - they were becoming the canvas for designers to experiment, create and inspire new trends, even if it was just a whisper in the fabric of fashion at this moment.
This is why, darlings, I always encourage you to wear your pink tutu with pride, regardless of where you find yourself!
Even without the spectacular tutu presence at the ballet, the City of Lights did offer something incredible for me: A chance to see some beautiful Parisian shops dedicated to all things dance, where I picked up some exquisite leotard designs. Think elegant, flowing silks and satins in shades of powder pink and delicate lavender – such gorgeous artistry!
And the ballet costumes?! My word! Imagine intricate lace details, sheer, almost transparent materials that caught the stage lighting beautifully, and elegant flowing lines! It was like walking through a kaleidoscope of beauty and movement. I couldn’t wait to recreate some of these gorgeous leotards when I got home!
Speaking of home, I had to fuel my time travelling with some performances. I popped by the Place des Vosges, found a nice spot amongst the beautiful architecture and proceeded to treat everyone to a quick but captivating ballet performance. I, of course, threw in a few pirouettes and grand jetés. They just loved it, particularly the children, and I always feel so happy seeing their beaming smiles as they marvel at the grace of a spinning tutu!
After all, I wouldn’t have any time-travelling funds without my street ballet performances! And isn’t it the perfect way to spread my love of pink tutus and leotard fashion across time?! 😉
Oh, and before I forget, dear readers, if you're ever looking for a taste of 1907 Paris, do look up a theatre performance in your own town! Not necessarily a ballet, of course. Though I think you should definitely check out any performances in your area! There’s magic to be found in any stage production, you know?
From all of us here at Pink-Tutu.com, keep twirling! And as always, feel free to let me know what your favourite leotard designs are! We'd love to see your thoughts on our pink-tutu social channels!
Don't forget to check back next month, where I’m off to the Great Lakes region of America. My new pink tutu wardrobe needs expanding and Chicago is calling! 💖
