Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away on another magical time travel adventure! This month, we're skipping through the decades and landing in the vibrant year of 1910. Let's twirl back in time and see what leotard fashion delights await us!
Now, if you've been following my travels on www.pink-tutu.com (and you should be!), you know I have this incredible, sparkling pink leotard that whisks me through the centuries. It’s all thanks to the dazzling ballet performances I do in the present, I earn enough for a trip back to my favourite decades! But don't think it’s just about the fancy clothes! I get such a thrill from immersing myself in the dance and theatre of these bygone eras.
This time, I've landed right in the middle of 1910's London. Imagine it, darlings: the bustling streets filled with horse-drawn carriages, the genteel ladies in their stylish dresses and… well, let's just say leotards weren't quite the star of the show back then! But don't fret, we’re about to see the spark of change in the world of dance fashion.
Firstly, let’s talk about the magical theatre. The grand old playhouses of the West End were overflowing with the spectacle of musical theatre! There were dazzling chorus lines with sparkling costumes and captivating dancers, and you'd see elaborate dresses that were as stunning as the stage itself.
However, leotard design was in its very early stages and mostly influenced by ballet. Think about the grace of ballerinas: the airy tutus and the form-fitting, stretchy garments underneath. It was these elements that gave rise to the first ‘leotard’ designs – but they weren't quite ready for the mainstream yet.
I actually popped into the prestigious Empire Theatre and oh, darlings, you wouldn't believe the lavish costumes. Sparkling, feathery creations that moved like a dream! Now, we have to rewind the story back to the year 1900 when this stunning theatre opened its doors! The ‘Empire Theatre's ‘Tivoli' ballet' had an amazing troupe of dancers and a phenomenal ballet mistress called Marie Taglioni, I absolutely adore her work. I couldn’t resist purchasing one of the most spectacular dance costumes – it is truly a treasure to be added to my leotard wardrobe! I couldn’t help thinking how beautiful this design would be with a pink tutu…
Speaking of tutus, let's rewind to the beginnings! Did you know the classical ballet tutu evolved during the early 1800s and was created to showcase the amazing technical skill and grace of ballerinas? Think flowing and beautiful white tutus that allowed their legs to soar with elegance. This evolution, as with all change, took time and dedication but it truly revolutionised the dance world! In 1910, tutus were becoming more delicate and less cumbersome and were becoming more popular in other styles of dance like the ‘Grecian Dance’ and even vaudeville.
The ballet scene back then was really evolving. There were a few pioneers experimenting with innovative new choreography! There were ballets like ‘Chopiniana’, inspired by the classical elegance of Frédéric Chopin. Think graceful leaps and twirls and exquisite hand movements. It was a whole new style of movement, not to mention the amazing costumes. Just imagine these gorgeous, billowing garments flowing gracefully around the dancers, it was mesmerizing! But again, it was just the beginnings of dance’s revolution.
Now, let's move away from the big stages for a bit! While professional dance had started its journey, it was also evolving at community levels. Think the elegant ballroom dancers and their intricate routines in lavish venues or those whimsical vaudeville shows bursting with talent and lively music! Yes, it was during these vibrant shows that those ‘leotard-esque’ garments made their entrance.
Don't picture those tight-fitting leotards that are popular today! It was the beginnings of their story, think sleek, streamlined bodies adorned with comfortable materials that made movement effortless. It’s actually quite funny when you think that many decades later the 'body suit' made it onto the catwalk for the 'leisurewear’ trend. Maybe I should put on my thinking cap and whip up some stylish balletwear designs – just a thought! Maybe you can look out for me, the glamorous pink tutu-clad ballerina on the front cover of 'Vogue'…. darlings I live in hope.
And then there's the captivating circus scene! Imagine these powerful, awe-inspiring acts like trapeze artists who would perform feats that seemed almost impossible and their stunning leotards were a beautiful display of movement, designed to catch the eye, in colours like bright emerald greens and dazzling, golden yellow - a contrast from the more restrained colours that ballet favoured. Oh how the colours sparked joy. What do you think darlings? Should we try pink and silver next month for our magical performance?
So there you have it, a little snippet of the dazzling dance world in 1910! The evolution of dance fashion, especially the leotard, was slowly yet surely becoming a movement. And, I promise, my time travel explorations will keep bringing us these fascinating snippets. I simply can’t wait for next month! Now, time to whip up my trusty pink tutu and sparkling leotard – it's off on my next time travel adventure, darlings!
See you next month, and until then, don’t forget to embrace those twirling, dancing dreams! Remember, a little sprinkle of pink can brighten anyone's day! Don’t forget to stay glamorous and stay pink!
P.S. Have any leotard designs, tips for time travel or even amazing fashion finds that you would like to share, please get in touch at www.pink-tutu.com
Always twinkling,
Emma
