Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back from another exciting time travel adventure!
February the 2nd, 1908, my lovely readers, oh my, what a day for leotard history! Let's jump in the pink sparkly time travelling leotard and get going...
As I swished through the foggy streets of Victorian London, my tulle tutu catching the odd snowflake, I felt a tingle of excitement. My destination? The Royal Opera House for a matinee performance of 'Giselle'. Now, 'Giselle', a beautiful ballet in two acts, debuted in 1841. I love seeing a classic, the romance, the tragedy, it all sweeps you away, and it truly gets me excited to see the style, the leotards, the tutus, the evolution of the ballet world!
This era was truly magical for the dance world. The romanticism of the time manifested beautifully on stage. While Giselle was first danced in a loose-fitting white dress, by 1908, the costume design had progressed. I can just picture the leading ballerina, adorned in a shimmering white tutus, the epitome of grace and delicacy. It must have been mesmerising!
I made my way to the dress circle, excited for the show, but also for a peek at the dancers backstage. Imagine, dear readers, a world of velvet and feathers, with an intricate lace leotard, delicate and perfectly fitting. I dream of seeing it! Of course, in those days, women would have been dressed from head to toe - tights, bloomers, and perhaps a charmingly ruffled shirt under the leotard! What a beautiful and romantic style!
So, what else was happening in the leotard fashion world on this date in 1908?
The year saw the release of "A Manual of Artistic Gymnastics", written by Charles B. Saal, a German gymnastics teacher. Saal focused on combining the artistry of gymnastics with beauty, perhaps an early ancestor to what we know today as dancewear! This manual must have provided many insights into the leotards of the era. The thought of it, the fabrics, the colours, the designs, just makes me swoon!
While ballet was undoubtedly the pinnacle of style and elegance, the 1908 leotard landscape also saw the burgeoning of dance classes and gyms in various parts of the world.
It wouldn't be a time travel trip without a bit of a fashion extravaganza! I stopped at Liberty, that iconic London department store, bursting with fabrics and fashions. My eyes lit up, I spotted some fantastic creations - the Liberty Art Fabric Leotards, inspired by nature and the floral, so incredibly Victorian. Oh my, I couldn't resist! I managed to secure one in the palest lavender, a wonderful addition to my ever-growing collection. It was like time travelled directly from the 19th Century to my wardrobe!
That evening, I waltzed into my usual performance spot on the bustling Covent Garden square. As the evening went on, my dance drew in a larger crowd. This time, however, I wasn't alone.
Remember I mentioned the Liberty Art Fabric leotard, the pale lavender creation? Well, the lovely gentleman from the fabric shop had spotted me dancing, my tutu billowing in the air, and after watching for a few songs, he asked if I wanted to dance together!
Oh, what an honour! A handsome gentleman in a dapper suit, joining me in a swirling tango. The crowd loved it! We drew a big applause at the end! I felt so elated and grateful that even on a whim, even in the past, dancing with a perfect stranger, our shared passion for leotard and tutu could bridge time and social circles. What a beautiful world it is!
And you know what else, darlings? It made me realise: it doesn’t matter when or where, whether you are dancing a pas de deux in the grand Parisian opera house, performing a contemporary solo on a London street, or perfecting your arabesque in your own living room - leotards have this fantastic power to connect everyone.
We all have the ability to express ourselves through the magic of dance!
This month, I encourage all you beautiful people to explore your own leotard style! Whether you’re drawn to a delicate, flowing chiffon or a sleek, modern Lycra number, remember, embrace the beautiful spectrum of leotard fashion, and go for the design that makes you feel fabulous!
And always, ALWAYS, embrace your pink tutus, my dears! They are a statement, they are fun, they are joyous. Pink tutus are powerful, don’t you ever forget it!
Don't forget to share your pink-tutu fashion moments with us on #pinktutu on social media, I’d love to see what inspires you!
See you next month for another exciting leotard journey,
Emma xoxo
Pink-Tutu.com - Where Leotard Dreams Come True!
