Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, and today I'm jetting back to a time of lace and grandeur, the era of flapper girls and dancing queens, to 7th July, 1913! Buckle up your tutus, darlings, because this one's going to be a dazzling spectacle!
As a Derbyshire lass born and bred, I've always been drawn to the elegance of a bygone era. The sheer romance of ballet back then – with its gentle swishing skirts, billowing chiffon and exquisite details – fills my heart with such joy! It's a magical world, and today, we're stepping right into it.
Just picture it: I'm wearing my sparkling pink leotard, you know, the one with the magical shimmer that lets me flit between the centuries, and my brand new fluffy pink tutu – yes, the one with the rose-gold ribbon. The scent of roses and lavender drifts around me as I land gently in a quaint, cobblestone London square.
The air hums with excitement! A grand theatre is adorned with glowing lanterns, the very essence of Parisian chic. It's a performance night, my darlings, and everyone is dressed to impress.
Now, while 1913 fashion doesn't scream 'pink tutu', don't get me wrong, it's absolutely brimming with leotard-inspired details, the subtle whispers of ballet on the world stage! And believe me, you'll be utterly smitten.
First, let's talk about corsets. It might seem strange to connect them to the leotard, but imagine – that tight, beautiful, body-skimming design was a total revolution back in the day. And I'm certain it served as a kind of leotard precursor, don't you think? Just picture these fitted marvels paired with long flowing skirts or draped chiffon – it's the epitome of feminine grace!
Then, there were the underdresses. Now, we might associate them with vintage-inspired dresses, but in the world of leotard history, they're more than meets the eye! Imagine delicate, ethereal underdresses, crafted from layers of fine, luxurious silk or lace. These were a way to highlight the movement of the body, offering a touch of fluidity, just like the modern leotard.
It was also during this period that ballet itself started becoming more fashionable, its style heavily influenced by the Russian Ballet craze, with its exquisite artistry. Ballet in the early 20th century, much like the leotard, was undergoing a revolution, its steps, costumes and aesthetic becoming refined and redefined. And what a splendid revolution it was!
On this day, I'm also very much excited to see Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, with the exquisite Vaslav Nijinsky! They're known for their extraordinary performances, and it is said they revolutionized the ballet world – from choreography to costume, their performances were revolutionary and iconic!
While we may not have seen a sea of pink tutus amongst the Parisian society that night, we can see how the essence of ballet seeped into everyday fashion. It's the essence of leotard history! It's the flow, the grace, the movement, the beautiful feminine that has always resonated in fashion!
But wait, the fashion frenzy doesn’t stop there!
On the streets of London, we see another facet of leotard history. This is a time of women's liberation, where the ladies of London were starting to embrace shorter hems, and trousers. In the world of leotard fashion, these garments offered a liberating freedom of movement that echoed the graceful agility of dancers! It’s the leotard influence that sparked the new waves of comfort and mobility.
As a matter of fact, 1913 is often recognized as a year when ladies became a little more audacious. The infamous flapper dress emerged around this period – a shorter, looser dress with dropped waistlines. Talk about freedom of expression! It truly mirrored the freedom and style that had always been ingrained in ballet fashion. And who can deny the powerful link between the movement of a flapper's dress and a leotard? It’s the captivating flow, the undeniable confidence.
My street performance today:
Today, I took to the London streets for a lively, captivating street ballet performance. It’s the ultimate way to raise funds for my time travelling adventures. A vibrant burst of colour, graceful movements – and you know me, I had to work my pink tutu magic!
Everyone stopped to watch, smiles lighting up their faces, it was truly heart-warming. A gentleman in a dapper suit gave me a bunch of lilies after the performance, I was absolutely chuffed!
The Pink Tutu Movement:
You see, darlings, every journey into the past inspires me to spread the love of ballet, to embrace those beautiful leotard details that are woven into our history. Remember: the movement is always about expressing yourself, whether it’s through a stylish leotard or a bold pink tutu!
That's it from me, until next time!
Don't forget to keep those tutus twirling, and join me on my journey at www.pink-tutu.com
With love,
Emma
