Hello my darlings, and welcome back to my pink-tinted world of leotards and time travel! Iām Emma, and itās so lovely to be with you again for this monthās Pink Tutu post.
This time Iām whisked back to a glorious day in 1913, specifically the 11th of November, a Tuesday. And what a Tuesday it was for the world of leotard history! Just imagine, all those gorgeous frocks! Oh, how I dream of stepping into a shop full of leotards, not for my personal collection this time but for the absolute joy of seeing them all!
Now, you may be wondering how this particular date stands out, dear readers, as far as leotard fashion is concerned. I must admit, sometimes it takes a little digging, but I assure you, thereās a tale woven within every stitch and a whisper of magic in every seam.
My sparkly pink leotard glittered as I landed with a graceful twirl in a bustling London department store in 1913. A riot of fabric, patterns, and a tantalising scent of cotton and linen enveloped me, an explosion of Victorian and Edwardian elegance! What a sensory treat!
Just to set the scene, this is a period where tutus had yet to evolve into the feather-light creations of modern ballet, more like lavish ballgowns for a princess of the stage! Weāre talking multiple layers of tulle adorned with lace and delicate embroidery, a real explosion of Victorian flair. You wouldn't be surprised to find me standing, awestruck, amongst shelves piled high with fabric so delicate that it could barely be touched.
Imagine silk and chiffon flowing in waves as they hung amidst these shelves. There was satin, lace, and so much beautiful ornamentation! You wouldnāt catch me leaving without a new silk ribbon for my hair! This whole time travel journey is about experiencing fashion's magic at its finest.
Now, this brings me to our dateās most fascinating find, The Tussaud's London exhibition "Marie's Dancing Doll", a collection of meticulously handcrafted porcelain dolls depicting dancers from the age of ballet's birth. I imagined my own miniature porcelain self, clad in a frilly pink leotard, waltzing across a stage of intricate details.
There are other captivating tales to unravel in our timeline's journey. In 1913 America, the Denishawn Dance Company, * a group pioneering artistic expression through dance, was on a tour. Imagine! They brought new levels of grace to theatre and choreography, weaving innovative leotard styles, showcasing more dynamic movements. Their dancers even took the stage in some incredibly detailed *white cotton tunics, so elegant and striking! This is one group to keep in mind for future travel investigations.
We need to talk leotard material for a minute. During this era, while leotards weren't quite the stretch-fabric wonder we enjoy today, they did find creative ways to adapt existing garments to allow freedom of movement. Some popular fabrics were wool, flannel (oh, imagine the cozy feeling!), cotton and linen and then stretch materials - still quite rare at this time but you could catch a glimpse of them here and there. Wool had a major comeback, as āJersey woolā proved popular, offering more form-fitting contours and a great deal of stretch for that period in dance fashion.
Back in *Paris, *1913 saw a stunning showcase for *Isadora Duncanās avant-garde āfree danceā. * This artistic movement emphasized liberation from rigid rules in ballet, encouraging free-flowing movement with simple leotards. The beauty of movement reigned supreme!
Did I mention the fashion in London, oh darling, it was truly enchanting! So much colour, ruffles, pleats and the occasional frill. It's wonderful how trends shift across the globe - here, fashion reflected the Victorian era with full skirts, boned corsets and lavish headpieces, a far cry from the simpler outfits for a dancer's freedom of movement that graced the stages of Paris! We simply couldnāt live without that contrast and creativity.
As my trip concludes for today, my heart swells with joy, imagining the many tales our beloved leotards hold, secrets hidden in each stitch. Until next month's time travel adventure, my lovelies, let's all embrace the wonder of this enchanting fashion, its history, and its evolution. I'm off to share these secrets with the world with my street performances. Do come and see me - remember you can always find my posts at www.pink-tutu.com - I canāt wait to share more secrets with you next month, lovelies.
With the brightest of smiles, Emma.
